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What About Matthew 28:18-20?

Originally Written: 2020-06-26 | Last Updated: 2022-11-21

Matthew 28:19 says, "immersing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Set-Apart Spirit". It appears that Acts 2:38 shows us that this was understood to mean to do baptism in the Name of Yahushua: "Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of Yahushua Anointed for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit." 1 Corinthians 1:11-16 also makes me think that the immersions were done "in the Name of Yahushua HaMashiach" ("HaMashiach" means "The Anointed"). This makes sense, and does not contradict Matthew 28, because the Father’s Name (YAH) is in the Name of the Son Yahushua, the Son’s Name is Yahushua, and John 14:26 says the Set-Apart (Holy) Spirit is sent in His Name:

  1. Yahushua said, "I have come in My Father's Name" (John 5:43). Obviously this also means He came in the authority of the Father, but He also literally had the Father’s Name in His Name. The Name of the Father is in the Name of the Son (since the same first 3 letters of Yahweh יהוה (YHWH) are the first three letters of Yahushua יהושע (YHWSHUA) in the longer form of Yahushua’s name in Hebrew. Also, Yahweh’s name is abbreviated as "YAH" יָ֥הּ in Psalms 68:4 (68:5 in the Westminster Leningrad Codex Hebrew). This also supports the use of the longer form of Yahushua’s name which starts with "Yahu". In modern Biblical Hebrew lessons, they would teach you to say "Yehoshua" based on Masoretic vowels, but I believe in saying "Yahushua" based on evidence pre-dating Masoretic vowels. I also believe in the "Yahu" beginning since so many names end in "Yahu" like:
    1. 2 Samuel 8:18 - BenaYahu - בְנָיָ֙הוּ֙
    2. 1 Kings 1:9 - AdoniyYahu - אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ
    3. Jeremiah 1:1 - YirmeYahu - יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
    4. Isaiah 1:1 - YeshaYahu - יְשַֽׁעְיָ֣הוּ

    There are probably other examples, but I think this is sufficient. Because the last parts of these names is referencing the Name of Yahweh, it seems reasonable that the first parts of names referencing the Name of Yahweh may also be pronounced as "Yahu" as well. However, Hebrew doesn’t always work that way. What I mean is - just because a Hebrew word has similar letters as another word does not mean those letters in both words will be pronounced or written the same way with all the same vowels. However, it’s possible in this case, I believe, because the last part of the names of people is specifically in reference to the Name of Yahweh. Just to be clear, however, let me clarify my views on the Heavenly Father’s Name:

    • I consider "Yahuweh" to be the longest form of the Heavenly Father’s name. This is a belief I have. I can’t say I know I’m right for "certain" - but it is my belief based upon the endings of names that reference the Name of Yahweh.
    • I believe "Yahweh" to be a correct way of writing His Name also. I’m not 100% sure everyone said the longest form "Yahuweh" all the time. I consider it possible people also said "Yahweh" as well. So I consider both "Yahuweh" and "Yahweh" to be correct.
    • Psalms 68:4 shows us undeniably that the shortest form of the Father’s Name is "YAH". This helps to solidify further that the start of the Father’s name is most likely to be "YAH" as well. It seems to make sense, considering words like "HalleluYAH" which appear in the Hebrew also.
    • I do not view this as an issue to divide over, so if you have a different view on this, that’s OK with me. You have to do what you believe is right, even if that means we say things differently. As long as you respect the Hebrew name and are doing the best you understand, that’s fine. We don’t have to agree on this issue and we definitely shouldn’t argue about it or divide because none of us can say for certain. If I’m wrong, I want mercy. I do not divide or argue over these issues. I’m just sharing my views.
    In summary, the Name of the Father is in the Name of the Son.
  2. The Name of the Son is Yahushua.
  3. The Set-Apart (Holy) Spirit (Ruach HaQodesh) is sent in His Name. John 14:26 says, "But the Helper, the Set-apart Spirit, whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you."

So the Name of Yahushua covers all three - the Father, the Son, and the Set-Apart (Holy) Spirit (Ruach HaQodesh). Therefore, it seems that baptism in the longer Hebrew Name of Yahushua is still meeting the requirements of Matthew 28:19, but also matching with Acts 2:38 at the same time. In addition, even though the shorter form of the Name of the Son isn't spelled with an "H" before the "Sh", it is possible it was pronounced as "Yashua" instead of "Yeshua", which would still be retaining the sound of "Yah" even though it isn't spelled that way.