Assemblies of God affirms the traditional reading of Matthew 28:19 as establishing a Trinitarian baptismal formula: baptism is to be administered 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.' This is the foundational biblical basis for Trinitarian baptism in Christian practice. The 'name' (singular) encompasses the three persons of the Godhead.

The AG explicitly rejects the 'Jesus Name' or 'Oneness' baptismal formula ('in the name of Jesus only'), which emerged in early 20th-century Pentecostalism. The AG made a deliberate doctrinal choice to remain Trinitarian and to require the Trinitarian formula in baptism. This is one of the defining features distinguishing the Assemblies of God from the Oneness Pentecostal movement.

For the AG, Matthew 28:19 clearly establishes that all three persons of the Trinity are involved in salvation and the new covenant. Baptism in the Trinitarian name signifies union with all three persons: the God the Father who chose us, God the Son who redeemed us, and God the Holy Spirit who regenerates and sanctifies us. The verse is read straightforwardly as supporting classical Trinitarian theology and practice.