Who Should Perform Baptism?
It is a commonly held belief that only an ordained minister may baptize. This is not true. When the disciples first baptized, they were not yet ordained. They were not even converted! Remember, however, Jesus Christ had appointed them directly! They were His students, His disciples. Though unconverted, they were His bona fide representatives. Not just anyone – surely not spiritual novices; not those who are unacquainted with the scriptures, should perform baptisms. In Acts 2:37-41 we learn that three thousand people were baptized on the Pentecost following Jesus’ crucifixion. Did the twelve apostles baptize this vast number? Probably not. No doubt nonordained members also baptized. In Acts 8 we see the example of Philip who, although a deacon, was apparently not an ordained minister as yet. Even so, he baptized many Samarians (v. 12) and later the Ethiopian eunuch (v.38). So the Scriptures are plain that ministers are not the only persons qualified to baptize. The person who baptizes y
