Remember that to do something "in the name of" means essentially "by the authority of" (remember the phrase "stop in the name of the law?"). It is entirely possible that the writer of Acts reasonably assumed that the reader would know that anything done correctly "in Jesus' name" would be done according to Jesus' example and instructions and so felt no need to be more specific. I do not think we have enough information to really argue this one way or the other. Any position will be somewhat speculative. ____________ Those who disagree with this understanding of "in the name of" should post your own answer defining your understanding of the phrase. Saying a name does not mean one is acting under the authority that person. Two people can say contradictory things or act contrary to each other and the will of the authority while invoking the name of the same authority. A third can truly speak the message of or do some task by that authority without "invoking" a name verbally. Which of the three is truly acting "in the name of" the authority? I do not really understand your disagreement. Saying the name of Jesus (invoking the name) does not prove you are acting or speaking "in his name" as many charlatans and heretics have demonstrated.

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was not an arbitrary practice in the early church. The apostles understood that using the name of Jesus in baptism was inextricably linked with the very purpose of baptism itself. In other words, all the reasons for being baptized in water are also reasons for invoking the name of Jesus at baptism. If someone wishes to be baptized but refuses the invocation of the name of Jesus, he has not fully grasped the reasons why he should be baptized. 1. At a minimum the purpose of water baptism is to express faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. When the listeners on the day of Pentecost accepted Jesus as Lord and Messiah, they were baptized (Acts 2:36-38, 41). When the Samaritans "believed Philip preaching ... concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized" (Acts 8:12). When the disciples of John at Ephesus heard that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecy of John the Baptist, they were baptized (Acts 19:4-5). When the Corinthians "believed on the Lord" they were baptized (Acts 18:8). The proper way to express faith in Jesus is to confess His name. In each of the cases just cited, the candidates expressed their faith in Jesus by being baptized in the name of Jesus. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 19:5; 1Cor 1:13.) 2. Baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), or "to wash away ... sins" (Acts 22:16), and the name of Jesus is the only name given for remission of sins. "through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). Thus the proper way to seek remission of sins at baptism is to invoke the name of Jesus in faith. Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16 not only connect the remission of sins with water baptism, but they specifically connect remission of sins with water baptism on the name of Jesus. 3. Baptism is part of our salvation experience (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), and the name of Jesus is the only name given for salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). (See also Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9, 13.) Thus the proper way to integrate water baptism with the New Testament salvation is to invoke the name of Jesus. 4. Baptism is a burial with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). The Spirit of God did not die for us; only Jesus the man died for us and was buried in the tomb. To be buried with Jesus Christ, we should be baptized in His name. 5. Baptism is part of our personal identification with Jesus Christ. "So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death" (Romans 6:3). "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27). If we seek to be identified with Him. we should take on his name. 6. Baptism is a part of the new birth by which we are born again into the spiritual family of God (John 3:5; Titus 3:5). We can also view the conversion experience, of which baptism is a part, as an adoption into the spiritual family of God (Romans 8:15-16). A newly born or adapted child always takes on the name of his new family. Since we seek to enter into the church of Jesus Christ, which is called His body and His bride, we should take on His name. (See Ephesians 5:23, 29-32.) 7. Baptism is part of our spiritual circumcision, or initiation into the new covenant (Colossians 2:11-13). Under the old covenant a male child officially received his name at his physical circumcision. (see Luke 2:21.) Water baptism is the time when our new family name is invoked upon us at our spiritual circumcision. The identifying Name of the New Testament church, God's spiritual family, is Jesus. It is the only name in which we can receive salvation. (See John 14:6; Acts 4:12.) Jesus' name is the supreme name by which God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. "Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11). All our words and actions should be consistent with the invocation of Jesus as Lord. When there is cause to invoke God's name formally, such as at water baptism, which is both word and deed, this verse applies in a specific way, telling us to approach God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as we pray, lay hands on the sick, and cast out demons in the name of Jesus, so should we baptize in the name of Jesus. Using the name of Jesus in baptism expresses faith: * in the person of Christ (who He really is); * the work of Christ (His death, burial, and resurrection - i.e. the gospel); * the power and authority if Christ (His ability to save us by Himself). Baptism in the name of Jesus signifies that we trust Jesus as our Savior, and thus it expresses the essence of saving faith. Since the only one who can take away sins is Jesus - not by our deeds, not the water, and not the preacher - we call upon Him in faith, depending upon Him to do the work. The Bible teaches that everyone should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and it reveals that every reason for baptism is specifically a reason for baptism in the name of Jesus. Thus baptism in the name of Jesus demonstrates reverence for and obedience to the word of God over and above human tradition, convenience or peer pressure. In view of the scriptural significance of the name of Jesus, why would anyone refuse to be baptized in Jesus' name ? Why would anyone hesitate to take on the name of the one who died for us and to identify with publicly with Him ? Why would anyone reject the only saving name, the name that is above every name ?

It very well may be just another example of Christians not doing as they're told. ;)

Because the apostles weren't pagan.

During his earthly life, Jesus did not actually baptize anyone with holy spirit, although he did speak of the spirit many times. Moreover, after his resurrection, he referred to the holy spirit in still another new way. He told his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) The expression “in the name of” means “in recognition of.” Water baptism in recognition of the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit was to be different from baptism in holy spirit. It was also a new expression involving holy spirit. As for baptism in holy spirit, Jesus promised his disciples just before his ascension: “You will be baptized in holy spirit not many days after this.” (Acts 1:5, 8) Shortly thereafter that promise was fulfilled. Holy spirit descended upon some 120 disciples gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem as Jesus, from heaven, performed his first baptisms in holy spirit. (Acts 2:1-4, 33) With what result? The disciples became a part of the spiritual body of Christ. As the apostle Paul explains, “by one spirit [they] were all baptized into one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) At the same time, they were anointed to be future kings and priests in God’s heavenly Kingdom. See (Ephesians 1:13, 14; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6 But what of the promised water baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit? Those first disciples who were baptized in spirit did not undergo such a water baptism. They had already received John’s water baptism, and since that was acceptable to Jehovah at that particular time, they did not have to be rebaptized. But at Pentecost 33 C.E., a large crowd of souls did receive the new water baptism. How did this happen? The baptism of the 120 in holy spirit had been accompanied by a loud noise that attracted crowds. These were astonished to hear the disciples speaking in tongues, that is, in foreign languages understood by those present. The apostle Peter explained that this miracle was evidence that God’s spirit had been poured out by Jesus, who had been raised from the dead and was now sitting at God’s right hand in heaven. Peter encouraged his listeners: “Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled.” He then concluded by saying: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.” About 3,000 souls responded. See Acts 2:36, 38, 41. Can it be said that these were baptized in the name of (in recognition of) the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit? Yes. Though Peter did not tell them to get baptized in the name of the Father, they already recognized Jehovah as Sovereign Lord, since they were natural Jews, members of a nation dedicated to Him. Peter did say: ‘Be baptized in the name of the Son.’ So their baptism signified their recognition of Jesus as Lord and Christ. They were now his disciples and accepted that forgiveness of sins was henceforth through him. Finally, the baptism was in recognition of the holy spirit, and it was undergone in response to the promise that they would receive the spirit as a free gift”. Sources: The scriptures cited and the February 1 1992 Watchtower.

The apostles baptised in the name of Jesus because they understood Jesus, Jesus said "Do all things in MY Name. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are just titles and they have no power. Jesus said Baptise in THE NAME, meaning that they had a Name, if you read the bible carefully you will se that Jesus inherited his fathers name and the Holy ghost inherited Jesus name, they all have the same name, so what is the name of God? Jesus. If you deny the Fact that Jesus Christ has come down in the flesh, this is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1-3). the bible says that God is the massiah, it didnt say God the Son. God means the Father (1 cor 8:6). Then the bible says that Jesus is the massiah, so how can two people of the trinity be the massiah at the same time, this is because the trinity is not true. The Father manifested himself in flesh.

I think you will find that the book of Acts was written before any of the four gospels. It's just another one of many Biblical contradictions.

Jesus christ sent the holy spirit after his ascension into heaven.

When Jesus says that you are to go and make disciples of men, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, then he means it. That is the way the church baptizes. "In the name of" means just that~ in the name of. Now, when the disciples tell people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they mean that we are baptized into Christ's death. Where the Apostles speak of Baptism into Christ's death, then we cannot properly name also the Father and the Holy Spirit. In baptizing the Catechumens, the Apostles always used the Trinitarian formula. The Didache, which is the Teachings of the Apostles(AD140), states that all Baptisms are to be done in the Trinitarian form...in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.