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Jesus-only baptism
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Jesus-only baptism (a.k.a.Oneness Pentecostalism) isChristianbaptism in which the words "I baptize you in the name ofJesus Christ" are recited, rather than the more traditional "I baptize you in the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of theHoly Spirit" (compareMatthew 28:19).
It is practiced by the UnitedPentecostal Church, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, followers ofWilliam Branham, about half of thesnake handling churches, and some other fringy sects. They believe the doctrine of theTrinity is aheresyinvented by theCatholic Church, and deem recitation of the trinitarian formula during baptism incorrect. However, not all non-trinitarian groups subscribe to Jesus-only baptism. TheBible verse often cited for baptizing in the name of Jesus only isActs 2:38 ("repent, all of you, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit").
References to Acts 2:38 intracts and on bumper stickers are usuallydog whistles indicating the person believes this theology. Acts 2:38 pretty much holds the same significance in Jesus-only circles thatJohn 3:16 does to evangelicals.
It is interesting to note that when Jesus told his disciples to baptize he told them to do so "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". How, then, is Jesus-only baptism theonly correct formula? Their reasoning goes something like this: Jesus didn't say to baptize in the "names" (plural), he said to baptize in the "name" (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, while Acts 2:38 says to baptize in the name of Jesus. They both have to be correct. Therefore, they fit the puzzle pieces together thusly: the name of the Father is Jesus, the name of the Son is Jesus, and the name of the Holy Spirit is Jesus.
This doctrine is an apparent confusion taking "in the name of" to mean a literal given name, as opposed to legal agency (coming or performing an act "in the name of" or in the stead of somebody else). It is also another example of how belief inBiblical literalism and inerrancy tend to lead off in all sorts of weird directions. Because after all, itreally matters what specifichocus-pocus words somebody recites over you while they are dipping you underwater.