Can a non-baptised person baptise another person?

Question

Someone asked about this tonight at my RCIA class.

He wanted to understand how a person who is not Baptised can perform a baptism on another person in an "emergency" situation.

The Priest and the Deacon did not have a full answer.

Does anyone have any ideas???

Correct.... the Priest and the Deacon did not have a full answer. They had not heard that before. We were discussing the various Sacraments and one guy said that he has trouble with the fact that a non-baptised person could baptise another person.

They said they would have to research it and get back to us.

And for anyone who is not sure... it is a Roman Catholic Church.

Answer 1

The reason baptism can be administered by anyone is that it is not administered "in persona Christi"--that is, the officiant is not acting in the person of Christ. The same is true of marriage, incidentally.

The Catholic Church, as a matter of practice, requires that baptisms and marriages receive a priest's blessing for full recognition by the Church, and members are expected to marry in the Church; but they do not deny the validity of a baptism or marriage performed outside the Church.

The other five sacraments must actually be administered by a priest or bishop, depending on the specific sacrament. The reason is that when the other five are administered, the person administering them is speaking Jesus' words with Jesus' authority.

When the priest says, for example, "This is My body," the priest is speaking in Jesus' voice. The authority to speak Jesus' words as Jesus Himself would speak them, comes with ordination.

If I say, "I baptize you," or, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," I am not speaking Jesus' words as Jesus would speak them; I am speaking for myself--saying that *I* am the one administering that sacrament. Nevertheless, it is God who works the miracle of the sacrament--the person administering it is only a means of grace.

I can't believe the priest and deacon didn't know this.

Answer 2

I can't imagine any situation that would necessitate an 'emergency' baptism, unless maybe it was a newborn child in danger of dying within hours.

Technically, I would say no. To baptize someone into Christianity, you must first be an acknowledged Christian, meaning that you understand what baptism is and what it means. If you don't have that understanding of the religion and the sacrament, then you're not really qualified to perform the rite.

This, however, doesn't take into account a highly-educated non-Christian who has studied Christianity.

I can imagine an instance, though, in which soeone performs a version of the rite to calm a distraught or dying mother, but I doubt it would be official.

On the other hand, I'm neither a priest nor a theologian, so if one gives an answer, I'll bow to their expertise.

Answer 3

The Spirit within me says to be very careful answering this question. No doubt the answer will offend some, but we must not cross the line of saying that anything done by God is of the devil. At the same time we must know that anti-Christ has no power and acts performed in his name are aquiescence to evil.
To say that an emergency has brought about the need for baptism is to rely upon an action for salvation instead of the grace of God. The action is the mechanism through which God sends the Holy Spirit, and it is not an action for which we deserve to receive. Waiting for an emergency to arise may indicate total rejection of God until the inevitability of doom is undeniable, and then reaching out to God in certain fear rather than true repentance. Baptism alone will not save.
John the Baptist was not a Christian. He was the last of the old prophets, for he was beheaded before our Lord was crucified. Only after Pentecost was the Holy Spirit sent to those who repented and were obedient to be baptised.
Read the 19th Chapter of Acts of the Apostles and recognize that there was indeed a difference between the baptism of John and baptism into Christ. That chapter also reveals the power others have to invoke the name of Christ, none.
It is God who forgives and God who fills with the Holy Spirit. The person who baptizes is doing so out of obedience to God and has no power to impart that Spirit.
"Where two or more are gathered in my name, there will I be also." Repentant man comes to repentance at the leading of the Holy Spirit who has not yet taken up residence. The baptizer is filled with the Spirit. The two are gathered in the name of Christ. What part would a non believer have in this? He would be in Christ's name if God had chosen him to be there at that time for participation.
God is the judge of man's heart. He knows the motives behind actions.
It is foolishness to hold out in hopes of making a death bed confession. Again, judgement belongs to God.

Answer 4

THE PRIEST AND DEACON DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER?????

Sorry...that shocks me!!!

This is Basic Sacramental Theology 101 stuff!!

Your clergy should be ashamed!!

Anyway...tell them this:

"ANY PERSON may Baptize, as long as it's with water in the Name of the Trinity...and the person has the "proper intention" (to do what the Church has always done in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism...make a new Christian.")

It is God the Holy Spirit who "does the Baptizing".

In the Orthodox Church it is different....it must be a Baptized person....but you are in RCIA so I gave you a proper Catholic answer.

Answer 5

In most religiions I've heard of (including my own -- Church of Christ), they can't.

I mean, a person who is not a minister or "employee" of God can, as long as they are themselves a baptised believer, but having a non-baptised person baptise someone isn't usually permitted.

Answer 6

I doubt if many religions would like the idea but I really don't recall John the Baptist ever being baptized himself. I could be wrong though maybe someone else might help clarify this point .

Answer 7

If the person is saved (i.e. born again) they can baptize any other believer, even if they are not baptized themselves.

Water baptism is a symbol of spiritual baptism, which is when we reach out to God and accept Christ as our savior and the Holy Spirit descend upon us.

Answer 8

The answer is a clear no. To baptize anyone, the priesthood holder must have been ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and into the office of a priest, or as an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is after the Order of the Son of God.

Those baptizing with this authority were baptized well before their ordination.

Answer 9

Yes, a non-baptized person can baptize another person. it is the faith and desire of the person being baptized that is important.

In fact, a non-believer can baptize another person in an emergency situation. this normally means the person desiring baptism in danger of death.

Answer 10

To be baptised is to be in Christ,and if your not in Christ
you can not baptise another.