Conditional baptism is given when it is uncertain whether a person has been baptized, or when there is fear of the sacrament having been administered improperly. The priest is the usual minister of Baptism, but if there is danger that someone will die without Baptism, anyone else may and should baptize. This means that whether the baptism is performed inside a church or at the sea it must be performed by an ordinary minister. Remember the jailer that accepted Jesus while Paul & Silas were in jail in Acts 16? Baptism is one of the 2 sacraments (the other being Matrimony) that can be done without a priest. The principle of following biblical examples and precedents is often an important key to determining biblical authority for certain actions, when explicit commands and other information have not been given. The bishop is the higher authority and can give the power to subordinates. The person doing the baptizing can utilize the experience to explain the nature of salvation and the meaning of baptism. Because Baptism is a necessary prerequisite to enter heaven, when an unbaptized person is in danger of death, and no priest is available, anyone may baptize. The Epistles never discuss who is to baptize. In case a child is baptized in a hospital, at home, or elsewhere, in some other church, the parish priest should be notified. We find Paul coming to the same place, to the same people and after investigating, he baptizes them properly, since he had the authority to do so. The church only has the authority to carry out what Jesus said they were to carry out. No one may baptize himself. You can also administer baptism to your own children. Dear Belinda, Peace in Christ! However, it would be very wrong to do it without serious reason. We know the baptism he performed was not authorized and okayed by God by reading the next chapter. And the saying pleased the whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”  We can plainly see that Philip was one of the seven chosen to fulfill a need within the church. So, why was Philip in the city of Samaria? You are probably most familiar with seeing it practiced in various denominations of Christianity; Catholics, Assemblies of God, and of course Baptists partake in baptisms, as well as most others. How to Perform a Baptism. In Acts 8:5 it says, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”  The city of Samaria was more than 30 miles away from Jerusalem, more than a days walk from where the church is located where he had been ordained as a deacon. 4. Let us look at those this would eliminate. No. Children should be baptized in the parochial church to which their parents belong, because the registration should be made there. 2. The church only has the authority to carry out what Jesus said they were to carry out. If Philip was ordained to be a worker within the church in Jerusalem, why is he being led by God to go all over the country? Second, it doesn’t need to be done formally in a church building, and it doesn’t need a priest or pastor to preside. It is true that we have no written record that plainly states that God called him to the ministry, that he was sent out by the church and authorized by the church to baptize. However, it failed to include the most important verse of that chapter. Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. Baptism has long been an important element in many spiritual traditions. Acts 19:5, “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” God has already established the instructions, we must simply follow them. When properly given, lay baptism is as valid as baptism given by a priest. Q: A friend’s husband is going to become a Catholic this year at the Easter Vigil. The question to be asked then is whether Philip was still a deacon while he administered baptism. In fact the duty of the deacons was only to take care of the “daily ministration”, or the physical needs of the members of that local church. Amen.”. One of those questions often is: “Who can baptize another person?” What is discussed is the meaning behind baptism. But since "the head of the woman is the man," and "the head of . However, the instruction as to who can administer baptism has always been the same, only a God-called, ordained man is allowed to perform this ordinance and only by the authorization of a New Testament church. Plainly stated, Philip did not baptize anyone while he was in the office of deacon. It is also desirable … The word “Evangelist” simply means “a preacher of the gospel”, but to find what an evangelist does we need to dig a little deeper into God’s word. Originally, bishops, priests and sometimes deacons may perform baptisms. These two acts have a special place in the church because Jesus commanded them and participated in them. Baptism is one of the 2 sacraments (the other being Matrimony) that can be done without a priest. The Bible teaches that only a God-called, ordained minister can administer baptism. An old Catholic tradition requires the godparents to buy the clothes the baby will … Anybody—even an atheist—can administer baptism if he has the proper intention. 6:3,4). To continue to fit within God’s established pattern, we can be sure that he only baptized after the Lord had called him and after the church had ordained him to fulfill this ministry. First, water-baptism isn’t necessary for Christians. The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments, baptism and communion. The journey of faith that begins in individual baptism continues in the church community. Can someone be baptized twice? In these few examples, it is quite clear to see that only a proper administrator is authorized to perform a scriptural baptism. This administrator must meet standards and qualifications set up by God and His word, not by man or even the Lord’s church. This means that whether the baptism is performed inside a church or at the sea it must be performed by an ordinary minister. “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 5:18-20) as an explanation to whom can administer the sacrament of penance as reconciliation. 2. Who can perform a Catholic baptism? [ citation needed ] Ancient Christian churches interpret this as indicating that baptism should be performed by the clergy except in extremis , i.e., when the one being baptized is in immediate danger of death . QUESTION: You say that infant baptism is ONE way of salvation. For valid administration: Baptism: a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. A deeper dive into the theology behind baptism can be found in the introduction to the sacraments. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and the signs which were done. “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. Copyright © 2021 Albany Missionary Baptist Church. Do the qualifications, character, and spiritual standing of one who performs baptism determine whether or not the baptizing is valid? The certificate is also necessary for marriage, holy orders, or entrance into a religious community. That they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Contents show 1. Who can receive a Catholic baptism? If the authority of Jesus to administer baptism lies only in his church, each church can commission any member it sees fit to baptize as a representative of the church by the authority of Christ. Presbyterians do not have specific age requirements for baptism; nonetheless, the Book of Order urges members to baptize their children "without undue delay, but without undue haste." In Acts 8, Philip is instructed by the Holy Spirit to join up with the Ethiopian eunuch to help him in understanding the scriptures. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1256) “the intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes, and to apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula.” The reason anybody can baptize is that it is, in fact, Jesus Christ who performs the baptism. The short answer is “Yes.”. Jesus did not give ALL authority to his church. Some use the example of Philip to deny that teaching, so let’s take a moment to examine the work of Philip in baptism. As I stated, the Bible teaches that only a God-called ordained man has the ability to properly administer baptism, and yet here it seems that a church-called man has been baptizing and it’s being accepted. This verse plainly states the apostles needed to focus on the spiritual matters and deacons were chosen to serve in the physical matters to the membership within the church. man, is Christ" (1 Cor.11:3), a woman should not baptize if a man be available for the purpose; just as neither should a layman in the presence of a cleric, nor a cleric in the presence of a priest. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. . Contents show 1. Who can receive a Catholic baptism? Answer: The ordinary ministers of baptism (in other words, the people ordinarily expected to perform baptism) are priests and deacons. If such a simple ceremony was forbidden to be carried out except by those who serve God fulltime, then one would be hard pressed to explain one of the greatest events that occurred on the day of Pentecost! At this time, not only did John have the proper authority, but he was the only qualified administrator at the time. IT IS AN OBVIOUS FACT THAT ONLY THOSE WHO ACCEPT THIS KIND OF BAPTISM CAN ADMINISTER THIS KIND OF BAPTISM. Baptism marks the beginning of our lifelong journey as disciples of Jesus Christ. In this case, however, ther… Baptism is the first of seven sacraments and the way in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Church. 4. Here we have Apollos trying to do a good thing. 318. Who can administer Baptism? Verses 12-17 show Philip is baptizing and that the apostles are accepting this baptism. In the early days of the Church, religious instruction preceded Baptism; the candidates for Baptism were called catechumens. Since it confers grace by the signs' being properly carried out children can and should be baptized even while still infants. I believe only ordained pastors–and depending on your understanding of the offices, this may include ordained elders (like it does in the RCA)–should administer the sacraments in general, and perform baptisms in particular. Communion nourishes and sustains us on the journey. Some claim that the examples given in the New Testament only show apostles and deacons administering baptism. It is administered by washing with natural water and at the same time invoking the Most Holy Trinity. A statement by the late Dr. Harry Ironsides in his booklet on baptism … The Lord’s Supper provides an opportunity for both evangelism and Christian growth. Does the … Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only repentant believers were baptized. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT) You can also e-mail us and we might be able to find a true Catholic in your area who could perform a baptism. Inside a church or at the sea it must be performed by a layperson in emergency... 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