Who can baptize and what should or must be said during baptism?

[Not of the World]

I did a search for "baptism" in an online Bible and didn't find anything about who can baptize and what must or should be said during the ceremony.  Thanks in advance.

 

[The_Patriot21]

Any Christian can baptize. As far as to what can be said I'm not sure there's a specific words that need said...it's more about the intent though most preachers usually say something along the lines of "in the name of the father the son and the holy spirit" or "in Jesus name"

I intended to say something along the lines of the former when I baptized my oldest daughter but my mind blanked and it ended up being closer to the latter lol

[JohnD]

Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit or with fire (Matthew 3:11)

if you are referring to the baptism that actually counts.

[Not of the World]

20 minutes ago, JohnD said:

Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit or with fire (Matthew 3:11)

if you are referring to the baptism that actually counts.

But Jesus told us to be baptized in water, just he was, right?  

[Jayne]

26 minutes ago, Not of the World said:

But Jesus told us to be baptized in water, just he was, right?  

We are to be baptized in water.  The dunking in the water does not save us, but it is a picture of our burial with Christ,  The coming up out of the water is a picture of our spiritual resurrection as Christ was resurrected.

It's our first public testimony.

 

[Not of the World]

7 minutes ago, Jayne said:

We are to be baptized in water. 

Thank you.  

[AdHoc]

1 hour ago, Not of the World said:

I did a search for "baptism" in an online Bible and didn't find anything about who can baptize and what must or should be said during the ceremony.  Thanks in advance.

 

Any Christian - man or woman.

"I Baptize you in the name of Jesus". Matthew 28:19 says "in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit", but every Baptism in Acts of the Apostle was "in Jesus' name". I understand that Jesus is the embodiment of the Triune God, so "Jesus" is sufficient (Col.2:9).

Baptism does not have to be understood before you either Baptize or are Baptized. It is an act of obedience.

Baptism is means "dunked like dyeing a garment" - that is, fully immersed. If you use a bathtub I think that the Lord will not complain if the knees are sticking out of water.

Baptism, like that of the Eunuch in Acts 8, does not need witnesses.

[Not of the World]

1 minute ago, AdHoc said:

Any Christian - man or woman.

"I Baptize you in the name of Jesus". Matthew 28:19 says "in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit", but every Baptism in Acts of the Apostle was "in Jesus' name". I understand that Jesus is the embodiment of the Triune God, so "Jesus" is sufficient (Col.2:9).

Baptism does not have to be understood before you either Baptize or are Baptized. It is an act of obedience.

Baptism is means "dunked like dyeing a garment" - that is, fully immersed. If you use a bathtub I think that the Lord will not complain if the knees are sticking out of water.

Baptism, like that of the Eunuch in Acts 8, does not need witnesses.

Best response yet.  Thank you!

[JohnD]

2 hours ago, Not of the World said:

But Jesus told us to be baptized in water, just he was, right?  

Matthew 28:19, right?

This could have been metaphoric speech as in:

Luke 12:50 (KJV)
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

The "baptism" he was referring to was his crucifixion.

Perhaps this is a more easily understood translation:

Luke 12:50 (NASB95)
50 “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

Point being:

Ephesians 4:5 (NASB95)
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

But even John the (water) Baptist stated:

Matthew 3:11 (NASB95)
11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me...  will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The Greek uses "and" which could be construed as "or" "with the Holy Spirit [or] with fire.

Holy Spirit (saved)

Fire (condemned)

Which of all the above do you suppose is the ONE baptism that is most important?  ← and the one Jesus was referring to in Matthew 28:19?

 

[AdHoc]

12 hours ago, Not of the World said:

Best response yet.  Thank you!

John D above touches some interesting points. The scriptures he brought are valid but is his understanding correct?

The way to deal with these multiple and different aspects of Baptism is to insert the word "Immersion" instead of "Baptism". Why? The word "Baptism" is an anglicisation of the Greek word "Baptizo". It means; "to immerse like dyeing a garment". The word Baptism is not misleading but it is associated with John Baptist and water. But if you use "immersed", which is the Translation, you are left, not with a concept, but a word that must be explained by the context. So to be immersed in water is one thing, while to be immersed in fire is another, and to be immersed in suffering is another, and to be immersed in the Holy Spirit is yet another. Now you can see the various meanings with discarding one or the other.

To show the importance of "Water Immersion" I will give short comment on a few scriptures. Once these scriptures are appreciated, there can be no "explaining away" water immersion.  

1. Baptism is an emphatic command. That is, God expects it of you whether you've understood it or not (Matt.28:19, Act.2:38)

2. Because of sin and rebellion, God "immersed" the whole earth in water TWICE (Gen1:2, Gen.7:18-19). It is God's way of ending the old and starting new. All the people that God chose, because they are sinners, passed through water (Josh.24:2, 14, 1st Cor.11:1-10)

3. Galatians 3:29 affirms that we are seed of Abraham. All seed of Abraham need it to be part of the Covenant of Promise by circumcision (Gen.15). Circumcision is adequate for inheriting Canaan, but not the Kingdom of Heaven. For this the whole flesh must be symbolically cut off (1st Cor.15:50). So, to inherit the earth (Rom.4:13) God has upgraded circumcision to a circumcision “made without hands” (Col.2:9-12).

4. God gives His Spirit for two purposes - eternal life INWARDLY (John's gospel) and POWER for ministry OUTWARDLY (Lk.24:49, Act.1:8). One is a matter of Life and the second - immersion in the Holy Spirit is for SERVICE/MINISTRY. God will not use the disobedient in ministry. Without Baptism you cannot receive the Holy Spirit for POWER (Act.2:38 is emphatic)

5. It authorizes you to be risen LIKE Christ in resurrection (Rom.6:4). WE will all be resurrected and have a certain "celestial glory" (1st Cor.15:34-49). If we refuse water immersion we will not be "like" Christ in glory (1st Jn.3:2)

6. It clears our conscience (1st Pet.3:21). Without a clear conscience we cannot serve God properly. We are continually burdened by our sins

7. Being born again is by FAITH. This entitles you to be resurrected "when Christ comes". When He comes He will set up His Kingdom on earth. The resurrected Christians will SEE the Kingdom (Jn.3:3). But, according to Matthew 7:21-23 only the obedient will ENTER the Kingdom. Because a man who refuses water immersion discards all these points above, he is regarded as a rebel. Water Immersion allows us to "ENTER" the Kingdom of God (Jn.3:5). If you refuse it, you will be like Moses who SAW the Kingdom of Israel but was not allowed to ENTER it.

Water Immersion is a very important act. A lot hangs on it.