orm of Baptism.

Obj. 6: Further, a name signifies a thing's property. But there are
three Personal Properties of the Divine Persons, as stated in the
First Part (Q. 32, A. 3). Therefore we should not say, "in the name,"
but "in the names of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost."

Obj. 7: Further, the Person of the Father is designated not only by
the name Father, but also by that of "Unbegotten and Begetter"; and
the Son by those of "Word," "Image," and "Begotten"; and the Holy
Ghost by those of "Gift," "Love," and the "Proceeding One." Therefore
it seems that Baptism is valid if conferred in these names.

_On the contrary,_ our Lord said (Matt. 28:19): "Going . . . teach ye
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

_I answer that,_ Baptism receives its consecration from its form,
according to Eph. 5:26: "Cleansing it by the laver of water in the
word of life." And Augustine says (De Unico Baptismo iv) that
"Baptism is consecrated by the words of the Gospel." Consequently the
cause of Baptism needs to be expressed in the baptismal form. Now
this cause is twofold; the principal cause from which it derives its
virtue, and this is the Blessed Trinity; and the instrumental cause,
viz. the minister who confers the sacrament outwardly. Wherefore both
causes should be expressed in the form of Baptism. Now the minister
is designated by the words, "I baptize thee"; and the principal cause
in the words, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost." Therefore this is the suitable form of Baptism: "I
baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost."

Reply Obj. 1: Action is attributed to an instrument as to the
immediate agent; but to the principal agent inasmuch as the
instrument acts in virtue thereof. Consequently it is fitting that in
the baptismal form the minister should be mentioned as performing the
act of baptizing, in the words, "I baptize thee"; indeed, our Lord
attributed to the ministers the act of baptizing, when He said:
"Baptizing them," etc. But the principal cause is indicated as
conferring the sacrament by His own power, in the words, "in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost": for Christ
does not baptize without the Father and the Holy Ghost.

The Greeks, however, do not attribute the act of baptizing to the
minister, in order to avoid the error of those who in t