Water Baptism Q & A, 2 of 15

Biblical Answers 

to Commonly Asked Questions On Water Baptism 

Question 3: How important are the Words of Institution?

Answer: The Words of Institution profess to give us the very words of Christ as He instituted the mystery of Water Baptism. Thus, each word carries the authority of Christ and must not be ignored nor discounted. By the Words of Institution, the Church is certain of her practice of Water Baptism. The Words of Institution for any ordinance of the Chruch are of the utmost importance. Without them one can be in doubt of the validity of the act. Some practices common in the Lord’s church have no Words of Institution in the New Testament and are, therefore, without any certified biblical authority. 

Question 4: Who may receive Water Baptism? 

Answer: Water Baptism may be received by those who have believed upon Jesus Christ as their only Savior and have repented of their sins (Mark 16:16, He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And Acts 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.). 

Children born to believing parents may receive Christian baptism, since they are born into covenant prerogatives, on the merit of their parents’ covenant relationship with Christ (see Q66, Q67, and Q68). 

Question 5: Who may perform Water Baptism? 

Answer: While it is preferred that all mysteries (sacraments) of the Lord’s church be preformed by one of the three biblical officers of the New Testament church (i.e. bishop. presbyter, or deacon), biblically, Water Baptism may be performed by any baptized believer. It is required that the one doing the baptizing must have received Christian baptism, because one who is clean must administer the water of cleansing (see Numbers 19:5-19, but especially vv 8 and 18, And the one who burns it shall wash his clothes in water, bathe in water, and shall be unclean until evening. 18 A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, ... ). One should see the words of Jesus in John 20:23, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them” as an illustration of how the one doing the baptizing becomes the administrator of the grace of forgiveness of another’s sins. Moreover, the question of laity baptism must be weighed in light of the circumstances. Primarily this is a job that should be left to the local pastor; and here is the reason: There is a bond formed between the believer and the one baptizing him/her. That bond should belong to the pastor because it is the pastor that is the shepherd of their souls. That is what the term "pastor" means. As a bishop I would question the motives of any layman who wished to baptize others when the pastor is available. Is it pride? Is the layman coveting that “bond” with the new believer that belongs only to the pastor? Is the layman wanting to circumvent the authority of the Church as the “bride of Christ.” If any of these reasons are the case, than the desire to take baptism outside the Church’s precincts may be spiritual adultery. I say it that strongly because Paul used the husband/wife bond to teach the relationship between Christ and His church.

Eph 5:28-32 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 

 It is Pauline teaching that the ordained ministry represent Christ to the Church. (Paul saw himself as a Christian priest and refers to himself as such in Romans 15:16, “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (NASB)) 

Apostolically Speaking

☩☩ Jerry L Hayes

(Mar David Ignatius)

Dear Disciple, looking for answers to Water Baptism questions? Please visit the INDEX to our Water Baptism Q & A at the link provided here: 
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/05/water-baptism-index.html

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