<![CDATA[This article examines the Trinitarian baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19 through a critical-hermeneutical study of textual originality and its implications for Christian baptismal theology. The main problem addressed in this study arises from the tension between the formula “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” in Matthew 28:19 and the formula “in the name of Jesus” found in several New Testament passages. This tension has often sparked polemical debate in ecclesial contexts, while it requires textual, grammatical, historical, redactional, and theological analysis in academic settings. This study employs a qualitative library-based method with a critical-hermeneutical approach to Matthew 28:19 within the broader context of Matthew 28:16-20. The results show that the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28:19 is not just a liturgical expression; it is an important part of the universal call to discipleship. Textually, there is no strong evidence that the Gospel of Matthew ever circulated without the formula of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Theologically, the formula functions as a marker of discipleship identity, a confession of ecclesial faith, and an ecclesiological foundation for the Christian community. This article concludes that Matthew 28:19 is best understood as a point of convergence among the authority of the risen Christ, the formation of disciples among all nations, and Christian baptismal identity in relation to the Triune God. Abstrak Artikel ini membahas formula baptisan Trinitarian dalam Matius 28:19 melalui kajian hermeneu-tik-kritis atas orisinalitas teks dan implikasinya bagi teologi baptisan Kristen. Persoalan utama penelitian ini berangkat dari ketegangan antara formula “dalam nama Bapa, Anak, dan Roh Kudus” dalam Matius 28:19 dan formula “dalam nama Yesus” yang muncul dalam beberapa teks Perjanjian Baru. Ketegangan tersebut sering dipahami secara polemis dalam praktik gereja, padahal secara akademik perlu dibaca melalui analisis tekstual, gramatikal, historis, redaksional, dan teologis. Penelitian ini menggunakan meto-de kualitatif berbasis studi kepustakaan dengan pendekatan hermeneutik-kritis terhadap Matius 28:19 dalam konteks Matius 28:16–20. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa formula Trinitarian dalam Matius 28:19 tidak dapat direduksi menjadi rumus liturgis semata, melainkan merupakan bagian integral dari mandat pemuridan universal. Secara tekstual, tidak terdapat bukti kuat bahwa Injil Matius pernah beredar tanpa formula Bapa, Anak, dan Roh Kudus. Secara teologis, formula tersebut berfungsi sebagai penanda identitas murid, pengakuan iman gereja, serta dasar eklesiologis bagi komunitas Kristen. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa Matius 28:19 lebih tepat dipahami sebagai titik temu antara otoritas Kristus yang bangkit, pembentukan murid bagi segala bangsa, dan identitas baptisan Kristen dalam relasi dengan Allah Tritunggal.]]>
