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**Does it matter whether a person is baptized in the “name of Jesus” or “in The Father, Son and Holy Ghost” ?**

The scriptures seem to say so. In the detailed accounts of water baptism in Acts, the apostles commanded baptism, or baptized, in the name of Jesus (2:38; 8:16; 19:5).

Peter commanded that Cornelius and his household be “baptized in the name of the Lord” (10:48). That name would be Jesus “..whom God....hath made both Lord and Christ” (2:36).

Paul relates his conversion to the Jews, speaking of his baptism by Ananias in Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”.

Paul, who baptized many, but only a few in Corinth, pointed out in a roundabout way, in 1Cor. 1:13 whose name was to be used: “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

‘Son’ is not a name, but a title. The Son was given the name of Jesus (Matt. 1:21).

The Son tells us where he got his name: “I am come in my Father’s name..” (Jn 5:43). And Hebrews 1:4 says of the Son, “..he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name..”.

The Holy Ghost is sent in the name of Jesus, for the Son said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name..” Jn 14:26.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. Acts 4:12

When you put that all together, water baptism in the name of Jesus is certainly the scriptural mode.

**Who is authorized to perform baptisms**

Any one who understands what it is for, and the power of the spoken name of Jesus.

**and where should the be performed?**

Anywhere that there is enough water to fully immerse someone. Water is water. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river, where agricultural runoff (although it was probably organic) was already an everyday fact of life.

New Testament water baptism was done with almost an urgency. The week or so delays are simply not scriptural (that’s kind of a pet peeve of mine).

Thanks for asking,

God bless