Contradictions and Paradoxes in Matthew 28:19

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Matthew 28:19 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Matthew 28:19. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Matthew, Jesus is asking his friends to go everywhere in the world and help people learn about God, showing them how to live like Jesus and welcoming them into God's family. They do this by baptizing people in the name of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations]

Contradiction with Acts 2:38

This verse emphasizes baptism in the name of Jesus Christ alone, whereas Matthew 28:19 instructs to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Contradiction with Acts 8:16

This verse indicates baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, without mentioning the Father or the Holy Spirit, contrasting with the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28:19.

Acts 8:16: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Contradiction with Acts 10:48

The command is to be baptized in the name of the Lord, again specifying Jesus rather than the Trinitarian invocation.

Acts 10:48: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Contradiction with Acts 19:5

Followers are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, not explicitly including the Father or the Holy Spirit as stated in Matthew 28:19.

Acts 19:5: When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paradox #1

Some people argue there is a contradiction between this verse and earlier teachings that focus on Jesus's role or on monotheism. They suggest it conflicts with the emphasis on the Trinity, which might not be as clearly established elsewhere in the Bible. This can lead to debates about the nature of God and the interpretation of these teachings.

Paradox #2

Some people see a contradiction between Matthew 28:19 and other parts of the Bible that emphasize the oneness of God, like verses that focus on monotheism (for example, Deuteronomy 6:4, which stresses that God is one). Matthew 28:19 talks about baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which some could interpret as conflicting with the idea of a single, unified God. This raises questions about the nature of the Trinity and how it fits with the concept of one God.

Paradox #3

Some scholars and historians point out that there might be a historical inconsistency with the wording used in this verse because the phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" seems to reflect later Christian theological developments rather than the earliest practices of baptism, which might have been performed simply in the name of Jesus. This has led to debates about whether this wording was part of the original text or added later to support the established doctrine of the Trinity.

Paradox #4

One potential contradiction or conflict with this verse could be the tension between spreading one's religious beliefs and respecting other cultural and religious identities. On one hand, sharing beliefs can be seen as an act of love and care, while on the other hand, it can be perceived as imposing one's views on others, which may not respect their right to choose their own beliefs.

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