Featured Should women be allowed to baptize?

As the very proud husband of this beautiful woman: She asked me this question, and I am at a total loss, I am a misogynistic jerk, she loves the fact that I am a misogynistic jerk. But heck if I can find a Biblical argument to deny a woman the permission to do so. Every fiber of mine and Lilly's collective being screams "NO!!! dear Almighty God No!!" but we simply have no Scriptural (and therein lies the rub) way of denying it!!! Any body got anwers?
Our present position is quoted from II Opinions 4:16 "No woman shall have the authority to administer the ordinances of either the Lord's Supper or Baptism to anyone"
Is there a better passage??

 

I would say no, but as you pointed out, scripture doesn't forbid it. That said, the examples given in scripture are all of men doing the baptizing.

 

Absent any specific scripture dealing with the matter, then the next step is to look at the New Testament practice.

Some may say that the culture of the times was the reason only men baptized. I don't know if that's necessarily the case.

That said, each autonomous independent New Testament church may determine who will baptize for it.

Given the guidelines we have from scriptural examples, let's be careful about changing our practice simply because we can.

 

I can find no biblical reason to deny women that privilege. I can also find no biblical reason to demand that only ordained people can baptize people or serve the Lord's Supper.

The closest principal I can think of that may be applied is the importance of thinking of those who are weak in the faith and our desire to not cause them to stumble unnecessarily.

It does occur to me that in some cases it may be best if a woman were to baptize another woman simply for modesty's sake. I know we always, and repeatedly, tell people to wear clothes that will not be see through when they get wet but...well, the admonish gets ignored way to often. It would be good to have the means in place to protect the modesty of the woman.

That said, at the end of the day, it is up to the local church to set its own policy on this issue. If you are a member you are implying consent to their practices.

 

In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, no male nor female .....................

Being in Christ means there are no limitations.

 

I believe it is a mistake to every try to limit God in the way he can and will use any person. [very gently said].

 

I Timothy 3:12 is an instruction to men. However, Phoebe, a woman, was a deacon in her church. The word used is often translated as servant, but in over 20 places in the NT the very same word is translated as deacon.

I think God knew that men need more instruction than women when it comes to relations between the two genders. Thus, I believe that to use I Timothy 3:12 as a general instruction for all is a mistake. Also at that time it was impossible for a woman to divorce her husband, but very easy for the husband to divorce the woman. It was a male dominated culture and women counted as very little, if anything at all.

 

Closest thing I can find and I wouldn't say it is dogmatic is Acts 10:46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.


Verse 47 can any man forbid that these should not be baptized. Have to really delve into the greek words but just a glance this could be taken that way by some.

 

Those who believe deacons can be women or pastors always say but Phebe was a deacon, Romans 16:Romans 16
1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Says she was a servant one who served, which is what a true deacon does he too serves tables. However Paul says she was a servant and the greek diakonos, which means
one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister

Phebe served the church at Cenchrea
the servant of a king

a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use

Notice it says one who cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected, no spiritual teaching falls into this.

a waiter, one who serves food and drink

One who serves food and drink, Phebe served the church not Lead the church nor did she teach men in the church.

Paul sais she was succouer this from the greek Prostais a feminine noun which means:

a woman set over others

a female guardian, protectress, patroness, caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with her resources

She was a protectress aiding them with her resources she was charged with caring for others including Paul she cared for his needs. Nowhere does it show her having SPIRITUAL authority over Paul or any other man. She had charge of their needs, that is the work of a servant a diakonos.

The Apostles command for the deacons was that 7 men be chosen to serve tables. To distribute the physical needs of the widows and others. That was what Phebe did, she never had SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over any man.

 

Yes, Philip, too, was a deacon, and he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch.

 

1 Tim. 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

Here is the key to the reason women are not to be in SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over a man because Adam was formed first. God's order man then woman when it comes to the SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY in the church and family for that matter.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.