While some churches and denominations adhere to the trinitarian doctrine of baptizing in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, others maintain that baptism should only be administered in the name of Jesus. This has caused disagreements within the Christian community about the appropriate baptismal protocol.
The baptism of Jesus vividly depicts the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—working in perfect harmony. In this moment, the Father speaks from heaven, the Son stands in the waters of baptism, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him. This divine revelation underscores the mystery of God’s unity and diversity, affirming the inseparable relationship between the three persons of the Trinity.
The Gospel accounts depict Jesus coming to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). John initially hesitated, recognizing Jesus’ superiority and his unworthiness to baptize him. However, Jesus insisted, stating that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness.