Here is what Jesus said at Matthew 28:19,20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." So baptizing "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," does not mean, imo, that one waves a wand over someone saying those words and they're baptized. Those disciples also understood, as Philip did, that baptism required water immersion.
Please tell me what you think this means:
Acts 8:35-38:
"Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?”c 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him."
The Jews had practiced their faith according to the OT for thousands of years. Suffice it to say, they got used to it. Then along comes Jesus and changes everything in a radically radical way. Is it reasonable to think the Jews suddenly understood the new program? I don't think so. It would take some time. Paul hadn't even written his letters when Phillip spoke with the eunuch, so there is no way he could have known the fullness of the change brought about at Pentecost.
Acts is a transition from the old to the new. The early church gradually came to understand all the changes, but it took some time. Here is one example of what they did not realize until Paul (or whoever wrote Hebrews) revealed the new truth:
Heb 9:9-10,
9 Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.
The words "divers washings" in verse 10 is the Greek word "baptismos." According to verse 9 then, baptism was a figure, not the real deal. That is of course true for virtually the entire OT. It is full of figures that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus. Those figures never never made anyone perfect, including water. Both John and Jesus said that whereas John baptized in water, Jesus would baptize in holy spirit.
Matt 3:11,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
Acts 1:5,
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 11:15-16,
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
If these verses don't say holy spirit replaced water, then words have no meaning. To think otherwise is a clear example of the power tradition has over truth.
Matt 15:6,
And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Since many Christians don't understand baptism in holy spirit at the time of the new birth, they of course are ignorant as to the manifestations of that gift of holy spirit. Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. What virtually all Christians call gifts, God calls manifestations. There is a difference. If you notice, 7 of those 9 are things Jesus did.
John 14:12,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Failure to understand our true baptism in holy spirit makes it quite impossible to carry out this directive. The orthodox church lacks true power because they don't believe John or Jesus regarding baptism in holy spirit. How sad that is. It's about time for a wake up call and for the church to shed tradition and replace it with the truth of God's word. Then we would see great signs, wonders, and miracles every day of the week.
By the way, it is almost certain that the words "...in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." were not in the original texts of Matthew 28:19. It is one of many examples where the translators changed the original so as to conform with preexisting ideas.
God bless