I understand if you are Catholic, you will probably say yes, and I respect that. What do most Christians think?
2007-04-30 03:13:00 · 17 answers · asked by Colin 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Does it say anywhere in the Bible how the ceremony is supposed to be performed?
2007-04-30 03:14:35 · update #1
No. John the Baptist was neither a Priest or a Pastor. So, then Jesus' baptism would have been null and void.
In the church body I belong to, there are some who are confused and say that you have to be baptized by a minister. However, all Christians according to the New Testament are ministers, and in fact there is this thing that doesn't get spoken of too much called the "priesthood of believers." All Christians are therefore considered priests. That too is in the New Testament. Any one may administer baptism.
In fact, a non-believer may administer baptism, and it would still be accepted. It is the person that is being baptized that matters, not the one doing the baptism.
To answer your additional detail:
It does not matter where it is, but it must involve enough water for a total immersion. Read Romans 6 to understand the proper mode of baptism.
2007-04-30 03:22:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Indignant 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism can be performed by any Catholic if the child's
health and/or well-being are in jeopardy. Pour or spinkle water over the child's forehead and say "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".
As the pope has now decreed that there is no "Limbo" for unbaptized babies, I wouldn't be too worried about baptizing a baby.
Baptism is really a spiritual ritual which accepts and welcomes a child (or adult) into the Church's community and a Christian life.
2007-04-30 03:22:03 · answer #2 · answered by chansenfam@sbcglobal.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the denomination. Certain ones will recognize baptism performed by anyone, certain ones expect you to be baptised by a pastor/priest.
I don't believe it says anywhere in the Bible "this is how Baptism should be performed", but it says how Jesus was baptized, and most people follow that. It's pretty simple...they dunk you and bring you back up.
2007-04-30 03:17:32 · answer #3 · answered by Angie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Catholic Church, the ordinary ministers of the Sacrament of Baptism is a priest or deacon.
In the person wishing to be baptized is in immenent danger of death and a priest is not available, anyone, even a non-believer can baptize the person wishing to be baptized by pouring water over the person's head and saying "I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit".
"Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, "
Matt 28: 18-19
Mr. Indignant is incorrect that Baptism MUST be done by total immersion. This would mean that people who do not have access to rivers or lakes or large quantities of water could not be baptized.
2007-04-30 03:36:26 · answer #4 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i just went to a catholic baptism yesterday. i am no longer a catholic for many many years.
i believe anyone who has the holy spirit can baptize a believer. the bible only says immersion in water. the catholics said yesterday that the baby is now saved and will have eternal life. i believe that you must be an adult. john did not baptize babies.
also, this eternal life phrase thing needs a bit of explaining. after all we will all have eternal life, it will just depend on where we live it. Heaven with Jesus Christ and the Father, or in Hell.
2007-04-30 03:18:52 · answer #5 · answered by little bobby 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is only recognized of God if it is done "in the name of Jesus" and they must be completely put under water, not sprinkled and never as a baby.
and by a pastor or minister
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
2007-04-30 03:19:10 · answer #6 · answered by Noble Angel 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism can only be performed by someone who holds the priesthood authority from God to act in his Name. That person must be legitimately ordained to the correct office of the priesthood. How can someone act in God's name if they have not been authorized to do so? It would be like driving a car without a driver's license or using a stolen credit card--it is not legitimate.
And I'm not Catholic.
2007-04-30 03:27:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it has to be done by someone the Lord has chosen to do His work. When I was baptized I received the Holy Spirit, and you couldn't receive that without someone appointed by God. It is a serious deal in your walk in the Lord. So yes, I would say a pastor or priest needs to baptize you!
2007-04-30 03:18:18 · answer #8 · answered by Stylegirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm Catholic and yes...it has to be a priest. But there are extreme cases where if there is no priest available, and the need is dire, that a lay person can baptize someone using holy water.
2007-04-30 03:17:13 · answer #9 · answered by Misty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probably many more than we know. I can't imagine that all those people would believe all the tenets of the dogma of their religion. I would guess clergy who have a conscience make a calculated decision to carry on by stressing those things in which they believe and which they consider most important. When the schisms in belief get to be so great that they cannot be ignored, then you have new religious groups forming. Look at what has been going on in Episcopalian congregations, for example, in recent years.
2016-05-17 08:25:51 · answer #10 · answered by freeda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋