Let’s now look at Acts 21:8, “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven: and abode with him.”  Quite some time has passed since we read about Philip in chapter 8, but as chapter 8 ended, Philip had stopped in Caesarea, and is still there when we get to this passage. You can water-baptize yourself anywhere, anytime, you want. Provided here is an overview of what baptism in the Reformed Church in America looks like. God has already established the instructions, we must simply follow them. Jesus did not give ALL authority to his church. A Simple Catholic Guide and Information about its Teaching, Prayers and Traditions. 2. Communion nourishes and sustains us on the journey. They are valuable, also, as containing a summary of the main points to be considered in the treatment of this important matter. 6:3,4). [ 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 . 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. 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. 4. Plainly stated, Philip did not baptize anyone while he was in the office of deacon. Baptism administered by the proper individual that does not have the authority of the church is just as wrong as one that tries to baptize without being God-called or ordained. 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. 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. Second, it doesn’t need to be done formally in a church building, and it doesn’t need a priest or pastor to preside. To prepare adult candidates for baptism, some churches offer newcomers' classes to give candidates more information about life as a Presbyterian. The Bible teaches that only a God-called, ordained minister can administer baptism. 4. The word “of” comes from the Greek word “ek”, which means “out of”. These two acts have a special place in the church because Jesus commanded them and participated in them. Baptism is the first of seven sacraments and the way in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Church. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them. God does not contradict himself; when He sets a pattern and a principle, we can be sure that the pattern will be followed throughout the teachings of His word. A statement by the late Dr. Harry Ironsides in his booklet on baptism … I am sure you recall the baptism of Paul by Ananias in Acts 9:17,18; yet, we do not have recorded anything about Ananias being ordained or being a preacher. 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. I repented at 5, so it can be early, but not in someone's arms. 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. If a person baptized by an extraordinary minister survives, he cannot be baptized again. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT) At this time, not only did John have the proper authority, but he was the only qualified administrator at the time. In danger of death ANY person (even a non-baptized person) may administer baptism to another person by pouring natural water over their head while saying (at the same time) “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” 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. Baptism administered by a Protestant or other minister is valid if properly performed: that is, with the use of water, together with the form of Baptism, and having the intention to do what the Church does. Your church probably has a very strong preference that clergy conduct baptisms, so you should not go around the neighborhood baptizing people. What is discussed is the meaning behind baptism. Baptism is the first of seven sacraments and the way in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Church. Amen.”. . So I believe that since the Scriptures do not anywhere state who can and cannot perform baptisms, and since the Christian has the authority to be called a child of God (John 1:13), and since we are a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6), then I conclude that it is possible for anyone to perform a baptism. 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.) 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. In those days, solemn Baptism was administered on Holy Saturday, on the eve of Whitsunday, and on the eve of the Epiphany. Parents should tell their children when and where they were baptized, so that even should the certificate be lost and the parents die, the registration may be traced. It is administered by washing with natural water and at the same time invoking the Most Holy Trinity. This ceremony only has a few basic requirements: a minister, a participant, and witnesses that will help the newly baptized believer on his or her journey in the community of faith. In Acts 6:1-4, we can see that the duty of the “ministry of the word”, or the edifying, was something that the God called apostles were charged with, not something the church-called deacons were responsible to do. 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. Q: A friend’s husband is going to become a Catholic this year at the Easter Vigil. The ordinary ministers of baptism (in other words, the people ordinarily expected to perform baptism) are priests and deacons. . In order to baptize validly, natural fresh water or holy water is poured, on the head, face, or body of the person being baptized, and at the same time the words are pronounced: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”. This website references (2 Cor. We’ve already established the fact that while he was here, God gave him the authority to prepare a people. A baptism is a relatively simple ceremony in terms of logistics. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Albany Missionary Baptist Church-Albany, Oregon. One of the key points involves the phrase “which was one of the seven”; was Philip a deacon or was this a former office? In both the book of Acts and the Epistles, the proper understanding of how one is saved (Acts 19:1-5) and the symbolism involved in baptism (Romans 6) seem to be more important than who is doing the baptism. 4. 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 controversy revolves around Philip’s position as a deacon in Acts 6:1-6. 3. John was a God-called man, ordained to do a specific work for the Lord. The Bible says that repentance is a pre-requisite for faith. When we rightly divide this verse, we see that Philip had come “out of” the seven and at the time he was baptizing he was not a deacon. There are some that believe that because the church has the authority to baptize, she also has the authority to choose who can and will administer the baptism. Who can administer the sacrament? But what I don’t understand is, how can the pastor administer … Only repentant believers were baptized. In Acts 18:24-28 we have an account of a man baptizing that was neither qualified to administer baptism, nor did have the proper authority to baptize. 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. The Bible says that repentance is a pre-requisite for faith. 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. Yet when shown the “way of God more perfectly” he accepts his error, then adapts his thinking and practice to that of the true way of God. 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! IT IS AN OBVIOUS FACT THAT ONLY THOSE WHO ACCEPT THIS KIND OF BAPTISM CAN ADMINISTER THIS KIND OF BAPTISM. Why put a ball and chain on beautiful feet? The Rite for Christian Initiation (of which Baptism is a part) is clear that while a parish celebration is the norm and highly preferred, Baptism should be administered in danger of death and this might mean a lay person will have to do it. He’s teaching, preaching and baptizing. 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. 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. A priest can technically perform all seven sacraments. But, in verse 18 Jesus said HE had all authority and because of that he was giving SOME authority to the church, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. However, most churches will recognize a baptism performed by a layperson in an emergency. We know the baptism he performed was not authorized and okayed by God by reading the next chapter. My friend says that the pastor will administer three sacraments all at the Vigil Mass: baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion. Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. 1. The Catholic Church has delineated who can perform a baptism. 6. 319. 2. Who can perform a Catholic baptism? 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. In this present time, the availability of a priest is extremely rare, so we provide these instructions on how a lay person may administer the Sacrament of After Baptism, a certificate is given containing the names of the child, of his parents, of his godparents, the dates of birth, of Baptism, and the place of Baptism. Acts 19:5, “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Some have looked into the New Testament and concluded that every instance of baptism in the New Testament is one in which a Christian man does the baptizing. At the outset we think it advisable to give two documents which express clearly the mind of the Churchon the subject of baptism. No. Who can administer the sacrament? The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments, baptism and communion. For valid administration: Baptism: a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. Contents show 1. Who can receive a Catholic baptism? WHO can ADMINISTER Baptism? How to Perform a Baptism. Let me give you some background. It should be very carefully kept, as later it will be needed for the sacrament of Confirmation. But since "the head of the woman is the man," and "the head of . Let’s look at the work Philip was doing just prior to being sent to the eunuch. As justification for this view, some will say that in Matthew 28:18-20 where Jesus tells the church to, among other things, baptize people, that this commission gives the church all authority, which would include choosing the administrator for a baptism. The church only has the authority to carry out what Jesus said they were to carry out. In both the book of Acts and the Epistles, the proper understanding of how one is saved (Acts 19:1-5) and the symbolism involved in baptism (Romans 6) seem to be more important than who is doing the baptism. 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. The importance of baptism in God’s plan of salvation is repeatedly stressed in the New Testament. The person doing the baptizing can utilize the experience to explain the nature of salvation and the meaning of baptism. As we can see here, the label “evangelist” is given to a God called, ordained man. 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. 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 man is called and ordained by God to edify and work to perfect the saints through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. So, why was Philip in the city of Samaria? This means that whether the baptism is performed inside a church or at the sea it must be performed by an ordinary minister. What is an evangelist and what does an evangelist do? “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. At the time Philip was baptizing and being led through the country by the Lord away from the church in Jerusalem, we can see that he was performing the duties of a God called man because he was no longer one the seven deacons; he had been called by God to do another work and ultimately was being led to be the bishop, or pastor of the church in Caesarea. Some use the example of Philip to deny that teaching, so let’s take a moment to examine the work of Philip in baptism. It is also desirable … Copyright © 2021 Albany Missionary Baptist Church. Baptism pictures salvation by grace. "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 4. 3. In Ephesians 4:11-14 we can find the answer to what the work of an evangelist is, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”. 5:18-20) as an explanation to whom can administer the sacrament of penance as reconciliation. 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." Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Since this practice was unknown in the New Testament or even the early Catholic church, it is speculative. Normally, baptism is administered in a church or oratory (in the case of a child, this would usually be the parish church of the parents) by a bishop, priest or deacon. This is the BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. Answer: There is nothing in the Bible that states who can and cannot baptize someone. However, he is taken to the church, and the ceremonies that had been omitted are supplied. . 5. A lay person who administers an emergency baptism must at least have the intention to do what the Church does when baptizing. Let us look at those this would eliminate. You can also e-mail us and we might be able to find a true Catholic in your area who could perform a baptism. It is also desirable … But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. The church only has the authority to carry out what Jesus said they were to carry out. QUESTION: You say that infant baptism is ONE way of salvation. From those early times has come our practice today of having the water for Baptism solemnly blessed on Solemn Easter Vigil, that is, on Holy Saturday night. The short answer is “Yes.”. 2. Who can perform a Catholic baptism? In this case, however, ther… During their conversation, the eunuch accepts Jesus as his Savior and wanted to be baptized. Thus, they have concluded, that in order to be properly baptized, a person must be baptized by a man who is a Christian. Baptism has long been an important element in many spiritual traditions. 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. The Epistles never discuss who is to baptize. When properly given, lay baptism is as valid as baptism given by a priest. A witness to a lay baptism should be present, but this is not of necessity. For valid administration: Baptism: a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. In the early days of the Church, religious instruction preceded Baptism; the candidates for Baptism were called catechumens. The journey of faith that begins in individual baptism continues in the church community. then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”  After Philip baptized, these two apostles came from Jerusalem (the same church that selected Philip to help the apostles in Jerusalem) and organized these people into a church based on the baptism they received of Philip. Here we have Apollos trying to do a good thing. Consequently, just as a layman can baptize, as Christ's minister, so can a woman. A lay person who administers an emergency baptism must at least have the intention to do what the Church does when baptizing. Dear Belinda, Peace in Christ! The question to be asked then is whether Philip was still a deacon while he administered baptism. In verse 26 of this same chapter we find, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” Philip is now being instructed to go from Samaria to Gaza, approximately 80 miles away, and still roughly 40 miles away from Jerusalem. Answer: The ordinary ministers of baptism (in other words, the people ordinarily expected to perform baptism) are priests and deacons. Some use the example of Philip to deny that teaching, so let’s take a moment to examine the work of Philip in baptism. What is discussed is the meaning behind baptism. Do the qualifications, character, and spiritual standing of one who performs baptism determine whether or not the baptizing is valid? “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. 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? In Acts 8:38 the Bible says, “…and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Consequently, just as a layman can baptize, as Christ's minister, so can a woman. In the Latin-rite Church, these are the ordinary ministers of baptism. First, water-baptism isn’t necessary for Christians. 3. 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