The prejudice of the Jews was aroused because the disciples of Jesus did not use the exact words of John in the rite of baptism. John baptized unto repentance, but the disciples of Jesus, on profession of the faith, baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The teachings of John were in perfect harmony with those of Jesus, yet his disciples became jealous for fear his influence was diminishing. A dispute arose between them and the disciples of Jesus in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. {2SP 136.3}

Jødernes fordomme blev vakt, fordi Jesu disciple ikke netop brugte de samme ord ved dåben, som Johannes havde brugt. Johannes' disciple døbte til omvendelse; men Jesu disciple døbte dem, som af lagde bekendelse om sin tro, i Faderens, Sønnene og Helligåndens navn. Johannes' lære var i fuldkommen harmoni med Jesu lære. Men Johannes' disciple fattede mistanke, idet de frygtede for, at deres mesters indflydelse skulle aftage. Der opstod derfor en strid mellem dem og Jesu disciple angående den formular, som brugtes ved dåben, og der blev til sidst strid om, hvorvidt Jesu disciple forøvrigt havde nogen ret til at døbe.