Can a baby be baptised by anyone, not just a priest?

Question

I've read somewhere that anyone can baptise a child - not just a representative of a religious organisation. If it's true, must there be special circumstances under whch this can happen?

Answer 1

baptism is simply dedication to God, and the baptism of a child is a commitment to raise the child as a loving respectful being, and it can be done by anyone that will make that commitment.

Answer 2

Yes, at least, in the Catholic Church (other churches/denominations I would not be sure). Accoridng to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1256), commonly a Bishop or a Priest administer the baptism, as well as Deacons. However, in an emergency, ANYONE, even non-baptised persons can baptise. All you have to do is drop some water on the baby's head and recite "I baptise you in the name of The Father (drop some water), The Son (again), and The Holy Ghost (last drop)". Then use some oil (preferably olive but any natural oil will do), and make the sign of the cross on the baby's forehead...and TA DA!. (Of course, to get a certificate you have to have witnesses to verify that it was an emergency indeed and that no priests were available at the time). Check the Catechism (1213-1274)

Answer 3

My thoughts on baby/child baptisms:
1. No way is it a sin.
2. Might not be a bad idea, because I truly believe that such a baptism done out of the conviction of the parents could possibly have benefits. Perhaps at that very moment Christ will start nourishing that seed.
3. Parents devoted in the Holy Spirit have all the requirements necessary. Think of it as less of a baptism and more of a promise or covenant.
4. A totally aware baptism must take place at some point in each persons life. The desire will come from Christ, that is when you do it. Not because you want Him. Although, that's not a bad idea either, it nourishes the seed. At some point you will receive your True Baptism.
5. All you need to preform the above is a small collection of folks filled with the Holy Spirit and aware of the sacraments.
6. I could be all wrong about any or all of the above, those are just my thoughts. Apply them to yours in the Holy Spirit :)

Answer 4

It is an abomination unto the Lord to baptize an infant because they do not know right from wrong & are still innocent. If a child dies before the age of 8 they go straight to heaven for they are not accountable. Once they reach the age of 8 then they may be baptized by the proper authority.

Answer 5

Infant Baptism

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8

Baptism in the Bible

What makes this practice disturbing is that the Bible does Not record a single occurance of an infant being baptized.
On the contrary, every mention of baptism involves people old enough to hear and receive the gospel.

Jesus was an adult when he was baptized:

"... Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." Matthew 3:16

Throughout the Bible, baptism always followed salvation. The Ethiopian eunuch who was led to salvation by Philip was an adult when baptized:

"... they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 8:38

Others were baptized after they believed:

"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." Acts 18:8

After people heeded John the Baptist's message to "repent," they were:

"... baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Matthew 3:6

Obviously, newborn infants can Not repent, believe or confess their sins. Therefore, they are never qualified to be scripturally baptized.

The Philippian jailer

When the Philippian jailer who guarded the Apostle Paul asked, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30), Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 31)." After the jailer believed, Paul baptized him (v. 33).

When Peter preached in Acts, chapter two:

"... they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

When Philip preached to the people of Samaria, men and women were baptized, but No infants were baptized:

"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." Acts 8:12

If God's Word is so explicit that only those old enough to hear and receive God's Word should be baptized, then why does such doctrines demand that newborn infants be baptized?
Is it to bring people into bondage to the church from shortly after their birth?
You must settle this question in your own heart.

Conclusion

When you were baptized as an infant, were you really baptized, or did you just have some water sprinkled on you? It all depends on which side you will believe in -
the Word of God or the traditions of men.
Please keep in mind the words Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of His day:

"Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9

Answer 6

In the Roman Catholic Church, usually, a person can only be baptized by a priest or deacon. BUT, there is a loophole that says that in cases where death is almost certain and it is an emergency, any baptized Catholic can baptize someone by putting water on them and using the formula "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Cases like this are usually few and far between, though.

Answer 7

Anyone can baptise anyone, but what does it mean? A very young child cannot stand as witness before the public and declare his conversion to Christianity by accepting Jesus Christ as their own Personal Lord and Saviour. Until they do that, what is the purpose of baptism? Answer, there is no purpose, unless you are just teaching them and getting them used to the idea. On a more positive note, they might need a good bath.

If you would like, you can dedicate the child to God, but that basically means to give the child up to those who are dedicated to God for life to raise the child, but frankly I do not know of any places like that (suitable for raising a child and such).

You could also teach the child the Word of God and raise them on the Word of God, practicing the Word of God in your life. Frankly, that is the best thing that you can do. The circumstances for that to happen is for you to do what I have seen no mother do (except for my late grandmother perhaps), and that is to make God first in their lives.

Answer 8

Depends what it is you're trying to accomplish. If it's to be an official guaranteed mystical magical ritual based on bronze age myths, then you probably need an official medicine man. Not that it will do any good in the real universe, but it will make you feel better.

If you just want to have a baby-naming/baby-welcoming ceremony, then you can do it yourself or have a friend officiate. There's a lovely book out called "Welcoming Ways" that gives a number of ceremony ideas for you to hold your own.

Answer 9

in the catholic church, a deacon or a priest can perform a baptism.

in the case of an emergency, i.e., imminent death, when no clergy are available, a lay person can baptise, provided that it is done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Answer 10

I think in an emergency, yes, this can be done -- but the churches that perform infant baptism generally have a rule that it can only be done by clergy.