Sunday, September 18, 2011
Baptism-"You Can't Just Go Around Dunking Folks On Your Own."
QUESTION RECEIVED:
Do you have to be ordained to baptize someone and where in the bible does it talk about it?
MY ANSWER:
No there is no Scripture in the Bible that says you must be ordained to baptize someone. BUT-----------------
The people who baptized in the New Testament were John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles. So we have a record of the most solid church leaders ever baptizing.
Christ commissioned the Disciples(Apostles) to make disciples, baptize,and teach his commands. Was this commission just for the disciples or for the church? It was for the church unless we think we in the church are not supposed to make disciples, baptize or teach the commands of Christ. With this freedom and commission from Christ we have great responsibility in doing this. This is not done casually but with a great sense of reverence as the church seeks to do it's duty and choose her servant leaders who teach, preach and baptize.
Matthew 28:18–20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus Christ was talking to the foundation of his church, His Apostles-Disciples as earlier he had the Prophets in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ was and is the Cornerstone of the Church as the Prophets of the OT and the Apostles of the NT are the Church's foundation.
Ephesians 2:19-22
English Standard Version (ESV)
"19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the ***foundation*** of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Yet, the Apostle Paul wrote do not get caught up on who the physical baptizer is. Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit. Yet the baptizers listed in Scripture were preachers and evangelists and pastors of unquestionable character and witnesses of Christ and His ministry.
Do not take baptism lightly as some might think anyone should casually help in this sacred ordinance and confirm their faith as believers.
1 Corinthians 1:10–17
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Many people will continue to argue who and how we should be baptized.
I have my opinions that it has to be after conversion. Immersion is the Biblical model.
I am more concerned with why are you being baptized?
Romans 6:3-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Some denominations require ordained clergy to baptize. This is one way of preserving the character and reverence of the occasion. Some local churches only recognize baptisms in their church and Christian tradition. Know the church you are joining.
You are being placed into the life of the church for service. I believe baptism is an entrance into the life of the church and the Christians ministry.
Jesus Christ who never sinned was baptized over John the baptist initial hesitation.
John 3:13-15 (ESV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented."
When baptized you are declaring that you are born again through the perfect life, sin atoning death, and will follow in the Resurrection of Christ. And on the day of judgement you will receive pardon for sins, peace with God and eternal life with the saints with the Father because of the work of Christ.
I pray you are saved, have been obedient in baptism and that you do not take lightly what this holy ordinance requires.
In Christ Alone!
Fletcher Law
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