I was just thinking this morning “you know, someone needs to write a post about how anyone can baptize”, and then this shows up in my inbox! Thanks for the contribution, Mark.
To reinforce your point, one example that sticks out in my mind is the baptism of Paul. God calls Ananias to baptize him even though Ananias is never called an apostle or appointed to any office. He seems like some (seemingly) random believer who God calls to baptize the soon-to-be apostle Paul.
Thanks, Rodger. That’s a great observation. I actually went back and rewrote part of the article because of your comment. Ananias may be one of the strongest examples in the New Testament! ..added that example to the article because it reinforces the point so well. Thanks for making it better.
Wisdom in making sure someone can disciple them after. That is the heartbeat of the Christian life, but we often rush them down the "aisle" to baptism and leave them. Great work
Yes, exactly. Baptism is the beginning of discipleship, not the finish line. We should never rush someone into the water without making sure they have a person and a community ready to walk with them afterward. Thanks, Cara.
I remember the day I realized I was only equipping people to obey three-quarters of the Great Commission, and repented on the spot. Months later, while speaking at a Florida beach conference, the organizers asked me to handle the baptisms because I was ordained. “Absolutely not,” I said, pausing for effect. “But I will train your people to do it.” They agreed. We spent the afternoon in a chaotic conference hall awkwardly teaching 75 people how to baptize. The next morning, the ocean was filled with scores of new believers being baptized and just as many baptizers.
This is just a brief comment one thing we have adopted and why
...In the New Testament, baptism was consistently performed in the name of or some combination of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Just to clarify our baptizing in Jesus' name is not because we are associated with "oneness" or "Jesus only" theology...we believe in the Trinity;] so when we baptize in Jesus' name, it's not a rejection of the Trinity, but rather a desire to be obedient to a practice we see rooted in the New Testament.
Act 2:38 - Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 8:16 - they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
Act 10:48 - And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 19:5 - On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
Col 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus
Kirk, thanks for adding this. I agree that Acts consistently emphasizes baptism in the name of Jesus, and I don’t hear you rejecting the Trinity.
I understand those passages as describing the authority and Lordship of baptism: people were being baptized as followers of Jesus, not merely giving us the exact words spoken each time..
But since Matthew 28:19 records Jesus’ direct command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that is the wording I recommend. But baptism is still entirely in Jesus’ name, under his authority and in obedience to him. I appreciate the thoughtful distinction.
I was just thinking this morning “you know, someone needs to write a post about how anyone can baptize”, and then this shows up in my inbox! Thanks for the contribution, Mark.
To reinforce your point, one example that sticks out in my mind is the baptism of Paul. God calls Ananias to baptize him even though Ananias is never called an apostle or appointed to any office. He seems like some (seemingly) random believer who God calls to baptize the soon-to-be apostle Paul.
Thanks, Rodger. That’s a great observation. I actually went back and rewrote part of the article because of your comment. Ananias may be one of the strongest examples in the New Testament! ..added that example to the article because it reinforces the point so well. Thanks for making it better.
Love it, bro. Love learning from your writing
This has shown up in my feed at the most fortuitous time: I have been asked to baptize a woman in a river baptism this Sunday. Thank you. 🙏🏻
That made my day. Praying for you both this Sunday. What a privilege to baptize a new sister in Christ. 🙏
Wisdom in making sure someone can disciple them after. That is the heartbeat of the Christian life, but we often rush them down the "aisle" to baptism and leave them. Great work
Yes, exactly. Baptism is the beginning of discipleship, not the finish line. We should never rush someone into the water without making sure they have a person and a community ready to walk with them afterward. Thanks, Cara.
I remember the day I realized I was only equipping people to obey three-quarters of the Great Commission, and repented on the spot. Months later, while speaking at a Florida beach conference, the organizers asked me to handle the baptisms because I was ordained. “Absolutely not,” I said, pausing for effect. “But I will train your people to do it.” They agreed. We spent the afternoon in a chaotic conference hall awkwardly teaching 75 people how to baptize. The next morning, the ocean was filled with scores of new believers being baptized and just as many baptizers.
Wow great example of releasing the priest! Yes Lord
Hey Mark...love the post on baptism.
This is just a brief comment one thing we have adopted and why
...In the New Testament, baptism was consistently performed in the name of or some combination of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Just to clarify our baptizing in Jesus' name is not because we are associated with "oneness" or "Jesus only" theology...we believe in the Trinity;] so when we baptize in Jesus' name, it's not a rejection of the Trinity, but rather a desire to be obedient to a practice we see rooted in the New Testament.
Act 2:38 - Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 8:16 - they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
Act 10:48 - And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 19:5 - On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
Col 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus
Kirk Martin
Kirk, thanks for adding this. I agree that Acts consistently emphasizes baptism in the name of Jesus, and I don’t hear you rejecting the Trinity.
I understand those passages as describing the authority and Lordship of baptism: people were being baptized as followers of Jesus, not merely giving us the exact words spoken each time..
But since Matthew 28:19 records Jesus’ direct command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that is the wording I recommend. But baptism is still entirely in Jesus’ name, under his authority and in obedience to him. I appreciate the thoughtful distinction.
Yep -- understand your thinking on this...Thanks for the teaching -- very thorough and helpful for new disciple-makers. Blessings.