Some often question what the baptizer is supposed to say when baptizing someone. The short answer is: The Bible does not give specific words that a baptizer must say when baptizing another person. What the Bible does demand before someone is baptized is belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16), repentance of sins (Acts 2:38) and confession of faith (Rom. 10:9). Thus, where there is faith and repentance, the only words before a baptism that matter (from a Biblical perspective) is the one about to be baptized verbally affirming their faith. No other words are required, although saying something of Biblical explanation is often beneficial.
So, from where does the idea come that certain words need to be recited before a baptism? It may come from witnessing baptisms and hearing a baptizer saying certain words, and perhaps saying the same words every time (which might make it sound like a needed script).
Two passages are often quoted when getting ready to immerse someone, but neither is designed as a script. Jesus commanded for His disciples to make more disciples by “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). Those are not words that have to be recited, but they are an explanation of what happens in Bible baptism. Upon a penitent believer’s confession of faith, he is baptized “into” (Greek eis) a brand new relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—which is what Jesus’ use of that preposition eis emphasizes.
The second passage that is often quoted at a time of Bible baptism is Acts 2:38, where believers are commanded to repent and be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” This is where conflict sometimes arises in someone’s mind. They may believe that the words from Matthew 28:19 (“in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”) must be uttered at a baptism, but when a baptizer says that he is baptizing a person, “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” a listener may believe that the baptism is not valid. But neither of these passages is given as a script to quote. The words in Acts 2:38 define the authority by which baptism must be administered in order to receive the promise of salvation.
Matthew 28:19 is about a new relationship obtained through baptism. Acts 2:38 is about the authority. Both emphasize the necessity of baptism, but neither is provided as a script for a baptizer (nor is there any other given in Scripture). What makes a person’s baptism valid is faith in Jesus, repentance from sin and confession of faith. As long as the baptizer immerses in water, there are no specific words he must say.