Authority to baptize

I would think that if the Great Commission were directed to all believers to "teach all nations" those same people must then of necessity need the "authority" to baptize those whom they have taught. Unless the passage implies "go ye [disciples or all believers?] therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them via an authorized representative..."

 

Is it ever said? I don't think so.

I would love to see my children baptized by a family member when the time comes.

 

I think we act too much like baptism is a sacrament, instead of an ordinance.

We include baptism in discussions on salvation....for example.

We get upset at someone who questions our baptism......

I think we place too much emphasis on there having to be some kind of "earthly authority" in order to baptise someone else. Its important that we obey God, and be sure that we are identifying with the proper authority when we are baptised. In that sense I would imagine that the local church has the authority to baptise, whether that local church has just begun and so only has the pastor as a member, or whether the church has many members and several men in leadership roles do the baptizing.