Jesus' Name doctrine

The Jesus' Name Doctrine has been associated with non-trinitarian theology, characterized by a belief that baptism must be performed only "in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins", rather than the more common Trinitarian formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". However, some argue that one can remain trinitarian and still hold fast to Jesus' name baptism.

The Jesus' Name doctrine can include the "Oneness" of God. Most who ascribe to this doctrine reject the mainstream Trinitarian belief of Three Persons in One God, and holds that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three modes of a singular God. Those in Oneness churches believe that "Jesus" is the correct and entire name of God.

Most adherents of the doctrine are often referred to as Jesus-Only, but Oneness Pentecostals prefer the phrase Jesus' Name. Pentecostal historian Bernie L. Wade generally considers the reference "Jesus-Only" as a slur.

Holders of the Jesus' Name doctrine assert that "in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" is the proper formula for baptism, and most (not all) feel that baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" is invalid because Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not names but titles—the latter form of baptism being performed by most Christians. Alternatively, the name of the Son is Jesus, so it is argued the actual name Jesus should be used; Jesus is the name of the Son, and arguably also the name of the Father and Holy Spirit.

Many Jesus' Name believers claim the development of baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" is a post-Apostolic interpolation and corruption. Some claim that the "Trinitarian" clause in Matthew 28:19 was added to Matthew's text in the 2nd/3rd century. They cite as evidence that no record exists in the New Testament of someone being baptized with the Trinitarian formula. Other adherents of the Jesus' Name doctrine believe the authenticity of Matthew 28:19, but believe that the command is correctly fulfilled by baptizing "in the name of Jesus Christ". Such adherents are generally Oneness Pentecostals who believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not to be regarded as distinct persons in the Godhead, and that the name "Jesus" is the supreme revelatory name of the one God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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