“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 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. You can also administer baptism to your own children. Q: A friend’s husband is going to become a Catholic this year at the Easter Vigil. However, most churches will recognize a baptism performed by a layperson in an emergency. 3. 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. Since it confers grace by the signs' being properly carried out children can and should be baptized even while still infants. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. However, it failed to include the most important verse of that chapter. 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. A lay person who administers an emergency baptism must at least have the intention to do what the Church does when baptizing. 6. 4. Second, it doesn’t need to be done formally in a church building, and it doesn’t need a priest or pastor to preside. In fact, after the encounter with the eunuch, we see in verse 40 that he ends up in Caesarea, “But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”  Again, if he’s a deacon in Jerusalem, why isn’t he in Jerusalem? In Acts 8, Philip is instructed by the Holy Spirit to join up with the Ethiopian eunuch to help him in understanding the scriptures. 2. Baptism is defined positively in the one and negatively in the other. 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. The bishop or pastor, or a priest properly delegated, is therefore the ordinary minister of Baptism. . 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. No one may baptize himself. 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. Anybody—even an atheist—can administer baptism if he has the proper intention. 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. 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. 2. Who can perform a Catholic baptism? Since this practice was unknown in the New Testament or even the early Catholic church, it is speculative. My friend says that the pastor will administer three sacraments all at the Vigil Mass: baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion. The Supper movingly emphasizes the love of God that led Jesus to give … In a case of an emergency, anyone can administer the Sacrament of Baptism, providing there is an intent to do so and the proper words are being said. 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. When properly given, lay baptism is as valid as baptism given by a priest. Can someone be baptized twice? Some use the example of Philip to deny that teaching, so let’s take a moment to examine the work of Philip in baptism. 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. A Simple Catholic Guide and Information about its Teaching, Prayers and Traditions. Does the … Look at another example of administrators of baptism. The certificate is also necessary for marriage, holy orders, or entrance into a religious community. However, what we do have is the overwhelming evidence that this is exactly what had taken place. 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.”. 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. Baptism pictures the gospel. Communion nourishes and sustains us on the journey. Baptism is the first of seven sacraments and the way in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Church. Baptism is one of the 2 sacraments (the other being Matrimony) that can be done without a priest. They are valuable, also, as containing a summary of the main points to be considered in the treatment of this important matter. 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. Let me give you some background. 3. 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. 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. In the Latin-rite Church, these are the ordinary ministers of baptism. A priest can technically perform all seven sacraments. Jesus did not give ALL authority to his church. This administrator must meet standards and qualifications set up by God and His word, not by man or even the Lord’s church. 4. A statement by the late Dr. Harry Ironsides in his booklet on baptism … I repented at 5, so it can be early, but not in someone's arms. However, it would be very wrong to do it without serious reason. The principle of following biblical examples and precedents is often an important key to determining biblical authority for certain actions, when explicit commands and other information have not been given. For valid administration: Baptism: a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. Baptism pictures salvation by grace. Anybody, even an unbeliever or a heretic can validly administer baptism. In Acts 8, Philip is instructed by the Holy Spirit to join up with the Ethiopian eunuch to help him in understanding the scriptures. But in cases of necessity, when there is danger of death and an ordinary minister is unavailable, anyone–man, woman, or child, Catholic or non-Catholic, atheist, or pagan–may and should baptize; that person then becomes the extraordinary minister of Baptism. 3. Baptism has long been an important element in many spiritual traditions. 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. Jesus did not give ALL authority to his church. 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. God has already established the instructions, we must simply follow them. 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. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1256) “the intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes, and to apply the Trinitarian baptismal formula.” The reason anybody can baptize is that it is, in fact, Jesus Christ who performs the baptism. This website references (2 Cor. Since this practice was unknown in the New Testament or even the early Catholic church, it is speculative. 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. Consequently, just as a layman can baptize, as Christ's minister, so can a woman. He wasn’t raised in any faith at all. Plainly stated, Philip did not baptize anyone while he was in the office of deacon. 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. 319. 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.”. . The word “of” comes from the Greek word “ek”, which means “out of”. What is an evangelist and what does an evangelist do? The importance of baptism in God’s plan of salvation is repeatedly stressed in the New Testament. The journey of faith that begins in individual baptism continues in the church community. In these few examples, it is quite clear to see that only a proper administrator is authorized to perform a scriptural baptism. Thus, they have concluded, that in order to be properly baptized, a person must be baptized by a man who is a Christian. This is the BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. During their conversation, the eunuch accepts Jesus as his Savior and wanted to be baptized. Originally, bishops, priests and sometimes deacons may perform baptisms. "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." No. Contents show 1. Who can receive a Catholic baptism? 5. We know the baptism he performed was not authorized and okayed by God by reading the next chapter. You can also e-mail us and we might be able to find a true Catholic in your area who could perform a baptism. Remember the jailer that accepted Jesus while Paul & Silas were in jail in Acts 16? It is also desirable … Let us look at those this would eliminate. 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. As we can see here, the label “evangelist” is given to a God called, ordained man. 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. Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. Verses 12-17 show Philip is baptizing and that the apostles are accepting this baptism. A Catholic Prayers to Pray For and Devotions. Can someone be baptized twice? The Bible teaches that only a God-called, ordained minister can administer baptism. The first five (Sacraments of Initiation and Sacraments of Healing) are pretty obvious, and the priest is an ordinary minister of each. Likewise, there is no case of any believer ever being admonished for baptizing a new disciple. “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. What is discussed is the meaning behind baptism. 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