Is an ordained minister the only person who can baptize someone? Can any Christian baptize someone? Does baptism automatically give you local church membership or are they separate ?
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Phillip was not an ordained minister (Acts8) when he baptized the Eunuch in the water. The church membership concerning the Eunuch was not mentioned but he continued on his way back to Ethiopia. (he already attended at the Temple in Jerusalem for membership there)Is an ordained minister the only person who can baptize someone? Can any Christian baptize someone? Does baptism automatically give you local church membership or are they separate ?
Phillip was not an ordained minister (Acts8) when he baptized the Eunuch in the water.
The question was concerning an ordained minister, in my mind that means only the Pastor of the church. In my church, that was who baptized believers, including me.You are mistaken. Philip the Evangelist was one of the seven proto-deacons of the Jerusalem church.
Really? He was a temple priest - son of Zechariah and Elizabeth - order of Abijah. He would have been trained in his priestly duties from about 5 years old.John the Baptist wasn't "ordained" by men.
In the early church, the "pastor" was just one of the elders.The question was concerning an ordained minister, in my mind that means only the Pastor of the church. In my church, that was who baptized believers, including me.
That seems an odd trio.Historically the Christian churches have recognized three forms of Baptism. The first is "baptism of water" which can be done by any Christian, but I do not believe one can baptize oneself. The second is "baptism of blood" where the person is martyred before water baptism can take place. The third is "baptism of desire" where the person passes away before water baptism can take place.
Y'SHUA taught HIM. He was never alone, except as regards human company in some way.Afterwards Saul/Paul stayed away from any church for several years but sought God and searched the scriptures alone. (not advisable for a new born Christian who knows nothing of the Bible or of God)
And yet he was a Pharisee.In the early church, the "pastor" was just one of the elders.
BTW - Rav Shaul (apostle Paul) was baptized by a normal congregant in Damascus named Annanias. There is no indication that he had any office in that congregation.
Where do we see that Annanias was a Pharisee?And yet he was a Pharisee.
And yet he was a Pharisee.
"And yet" wasn't meant as a slight. Of course that was obvious.And yet? There was nothing wrong with being a Pharisee. There were some who were legalistic and hypocritical and most of these would have been of Bet Shammai who were dominant through the first half of the first century. Saul/Paul was of Bet Hillel. He did his rabbinical training under Rabbi Gamaliel who himself had been a student of Rabbi Hillel. You will recall it was Rabbi Gamaliel who successfully defended some of the apostles before the Sanhedrin. I would think that Rabbi Jesus was a Pharisee of this same school.
In the early church there were Apostles, and Prophets, as well as Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers functioning. In regard that Christian theology today does not allow for those ministry positions that were operating in the early church, I don't see any problem with Christians like myself not considering Philip to be more than a layman Evangelist.In the early church, the "pastor" was just one of the elders.
Such an addition is unnecessary if you read my entire first and (in memory) I reiterated it in my second post.BTW - Rav Shaul (apostle Paul) was baptized by a normal congregant in Damascus named Annanias. There is no indication that he had any office in that congregation.
Saul of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul had in the Jewish community been a student of the Jewish Rabbi Gamaliel, so Saul knew much about the Bible already. He stayed alone to study the scriptures concerning the Jewish Messiah to be shown by God that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He needed to know the scriptures concerning Jesus in order to preach accurately and lead others to the Christ that he had accepted while on the road to Damascus.Y'SHUA taught HIM. He was never alone, except as regards human company in some way.
Acts 23:6 (KJV) But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.Saul of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul had in the Jewish community been a student of the Jewish Rabbi Gamaliel, so Saul knew much about the Bible already. He stayed alone to study the scriptures concerning the Jewish Messiah to be shown by God that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He needed to know the scriptures concerning Jesus in order to preach accurately and lead others to the Christ that he had accepted while on the road to Damascus.
Concerning my post on Paul's Jewish background, would you kindly clarify your reason for quoting Acts 23:6 and emphasizing the phrase of the Pharisee?Acts 23:6 (KJV) But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
I have never heard of anyone self baptizing but if there was not anyone else that would or could do it, I feel like the Lord would accept it. I agree with you that the Lord knows what is in our hearts when we perform actions in obedience to Him.John the Baptist wasn't "ordained" by men.
You can baptize yourself in a lake, river, or the ocean. If in the city and nowhere near such as that, your bathtub.
God knows your heart. Love God, because he loves you.