Authority to Baptize

The Lord was our example and it is for others to prove that the unordained can baptize, give an example of such happening in scripture instead of just starting it on their own.

 

Good luck with that... :laugh:

Good question. I believe that the Great Commission was given to the Church. The Apostles were acting as representatives of what would be the church. So I believe that baptism ought to only be done by someone as authorized by the local church.

We have allowed a dad to baptize his children, but it was done by the authority of our church.

The interesting Scripture is Philip baptizing the Ethiopian even though the treasurer would not be going back to a church and Philip was a "deacon" who was serving as an evangelist. That's one reason why I would not take a hard stand on this.

 

I think Staphen would be the example of non-clergy performing a baptism. I believe in the absence of clergy, misionary work etc..., it may become necessary for non-clergy to perform such commands to include the lords supper. Depending on the situation, I think we should dunk um again so it is witnessed by the Church body.

 

What would be the Scriptural basis for #2 over #3?

 

from the first Baptist Confession (1644):
"XLI. The persons designed by Christ, to dispense this ordinance, the Scriptures hold forth to a preaching Disciple, it being no where tied to a particular church, officer, or person extraordinarily sent, the commission enjoining the administration, being given to them under no other consideration, but as considered Disciples.
Isa. 8:16; Mat. 28:16-19; John 4:1-2; Acts 20:7; Mat. 26:26"

 

To be "done in order" hardly says anything about who should be doing it in order, and I've yet to see a verse which identifies baptizing as a spiritual gift.

 

Hi Lebuick;

help me with scripture of Stephan baptizing, I thought Stephen was an ordained deacon.
Act 6:6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

 

Perhaps Acts 20 when Paul addressed the elders.

 

If there is no gift of evangelism then on the basis of Roman 10:14 how can there be a gift or preaching.

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?"

 

If the Great Commission was ONLY to the intended audience, and not us, this would be correct. The GC is to all believers, though...

 

Right, you didn't, but that seemed to be the implication since you didn't point out where it says that only preachers can baptize.

 

I am sure there are parts to everyone and there are parts just for the ordained.

If I may, let me put it this way. In our church only ordained Elders can baptize. They can use a layman to help them if needed. I have used up to probably 4 when I baptize someone in a bathtub. We take the scripture "whatsoever you bind on earth, will be bound in heaven" to be to the Elders. So, therefore we believe baptism is do be done by the authority of the church by ordained Elders. That is us, let others do as they believe, I do.

 

Right you are, I stand corrected.

 

You didn't say hi........... Where have you been, I missed you?

 

How big a bathtub are you using????? I have never seen one anywhere near that big, but am sure I have not seen all that exist.

Ed

 

I have used the large ones they have in hospitals and believe it or not, I have used the ones in a home when the person was dying. I would sit them in the tub and then have someone pull their legs forward as I lay his head and top part of his body under the water, being very careful to not hit their head on the spout. It is very difficult but the result is very joyful. I thank God for always helping me in this travel.
Since the two heart surgeries, it is very hard for me in the winters in the creeks and rivers. I only have half my heart working and when I step in the water in January, sometimes in ice, I have to step in the cold water and just stand there forever until I can get my breathe back, then I ease on out in the deep water, struggling for breath. After I put them under and raise them back up, believe it or not but I am no longer cold at all, but warm all over. I thank God again for always helping me through my travel in my ministry.