Acts 8:16 - Exposition

Had been for were, A.V.; into for in, A.V. Into the name. In seems preferable (comp. Matthew 10:41 , Matthew 10:42 ). The use of the prepositions in the New Testament is much influenced by the Hebrew, through the language of the LXX . As regards baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus, here and Acts 8:39 , T.R.; Acts 10:48 ; Acts 19:5 , we are not to suppose that any other formula was used than that prescribed by our Lord ( Matthew 28:19 ). But as baptism was preceded by a confession of faith similar to that in our own Baptismal Service, so it was a true description to speak of baptism as being in the Name of Jesus Christ.