Does it matters WHO baptizes you?

[FollowingJesus]

I want to be baptized, but the 'gentleman' who does the baptisms in my church is not a 'gentleman' - AT ALL.

Earlier in the year, he said (and did) somethings that made me very uncomfortable. (speaking very negatively about 'unattractive women' in the church, and other 'easy to pick on' groups. He also pushes me to hug him, and insists on walking me to my car only to insist that I, then, drive him to HIS car...)

I should note, that I'm kind of a 'tough cookie' and can handle advances by men. It's just that this guy TOTALLY creeps me out (for lack of a better description), and I had already made a point to stay away from him before I realized that he was the one who did the baptisms, instead of the pastor.

Anyway...

I don't want him to baptize me...

Does it matter who does it? Should it matter? I don't like him touching me when I'm 'dry'...I certainly don't want his hands on me when I'm wet...

I'm thinking of going to another church to get baptized, but I'm wondering if they will, if I'm not a member. (My church won't baptize 'just anyone'...you have to have gone through the new membership class...)

Does the person who baptizes you have to be ordained in any special way? Or can anyone baptize you in the name of Jesus?

Your thoughts?

 

[enelya_taralom]

I attend an Alliance church, and as far as I can tell, it doesn't matter whether or not the person baptising you is ordained or not. If I remember correctly I've seen people baptised by their small group leaders, friends etc. Though, I think they do want girls baptising girls and guys baptising guys, but I'm not 100% on that one. We also don't require church membership, but you do have to go to a Baptism believers class. I haven't been to the class myself, so I'm not sure what it entails, but I too have felt the call to be baptised and wil be attending a class on the 26th of September. I'm hoping one of my bible study friends will be able to baptise me I wouldn't think it matters who baptises you, as long as you answer God's call for such a proclamation of faith Which church do you attend?

Congrats on teh call, btw I'm so sorry this guy creeps you out though Have you talked with your pastor about this? He / She should be made aware of this guy's behaviour (if they aren't already). My prayer are with you, that you find a church and person who feel comfortable to baptise you.

 

[mnphysicist]

It does, if your church follows apostolic succession which does have some level of scriptural basis. Otoh, many Christians do not believe in apostolic succession, at which point, it really doesn't matter.

What does matter is what the individual church has chosen to make their standard operating procudure, which may or may not have scriptural basis. Eg, if you go and get baptised elsewhere, they may not accept it... or may welcome you with open arms. Same scenario with an alternative place of worship that baptizes you. They may have their own procedures, which again may or may not have scriptural basis.

As far as the ungentleman in your church goes, you should not have to put up with that, and from my standpoint, he is in serious need of help. If his actions continue, and you have told him to stop, then get another witness, and its time to follow Matthew 18:15-17

 

[ebia]

It does, if your church follows apostolic succession which does have some level of scriptural basis.

Don't all the churches which claim apostolic succession say it should normally be done by a priest, but it can be done by any baptised person when neccessary.?Certainly that is the Anglican line, and I believe it is the RCC line. Since the Othodox churches do chrismation at the same time as baptism, I presume that complicates matters for them.

As far as the ungentleman in your church goes, you should not have to put up with that, and from my standpoint, he is in serious need of help. If his actions continue, and you have told him to stop, then get another witness, and its time to follow Matthew 18:15-17

This person should not be in a position of authority. Someone needs to tell someone in authority over him what is going on.

 

[AveMaria]

Eeek, that man sounds really creepy, and I wouldn't want him touching me either - wet or dry!

I hope you're able to talk to a pastor or an elder at your church and explain your concerns and how this man makes you feel uncomfortable - I'm willing to bet you're not the only person who he makes feel that way.

On a related note, my mother used to attend a church where the Senior Pastor was a very huggy-bear kind of guy - far as we could tell, he didn't mean anything by it, he was just huggy and touchy-feely. She met with him and politely explained how it made her feel uncomfortable, but he was unwilling to listen, and he basically told her that it was her issue and she would just have to deal with it. She wound up switching to a different church.

 

[FollowingJesus]

Eeek, that man sounds really creepy, and I wouldn't want him touching me either - wet or dry!

I hope you're able to talk to a pastor or an elder at your church and explain your concerns and how this man makes you feel uncomfortable - I'm willing to bet you're not the only person who he makes feel that way.

On a related note, my mother used to attend a church where the Senior Pastor was a very huggy-bear kind of guy - far as we could tell, he didn't mean anything by it, he was just huggy and touchy-feely. She met with him and politely explained how it made her feel uncomfortable, but he was unwilling to listen, and he basically told her that it was her issue and she would just have to deal with it. She wound up switching to a different church.

Thank you, everyone, for your input!!

Who would have thought that getting baptized would be so difficult?

I wonder what Jesus would have to say about all of this?

 

[ebia]

Thank you, everyone, for your input!!

Who would have thought that getting baptized would be so difficult?

I wonder what Jesus would have to say about all of this?

Well, just remember, whoever does it in the end is just a minister. It's God that is really doing the baptising.

 

[ebia]

On a related note, my mother used to attend a church where the Senior Pastor was a very huggy-bear kind of guy - far as we could tell, he didn't mean anything by it, he was just huggy and touchy-feely. She met with him and politely explained how it made her feel uncomfortable, but he was unwilling to listen, and he basically told her that it was her issue and she would just have to deal with it. She wound up switching to a different church.

Someone needs to remind him that he is there to care for the flock, the flock isn't there to keep him happy.

 

[revrobor]

The command to "...Go into all the worlds and preach the Gospel baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit..." was given to all who follow the Lord Jesus.

 

[MikeMcK]

I want to be baptized, but the 'gentleman' who does the baptisms in my church is not a 'gentleman' - AT ALL.

Earlier in the year, he said (and did) somethings that made me very uncomfortable. (speaking very negatively about 'unattractive women' in the church, and other 'easy to pick on' groups. He also pushes me to hug him, and insists on walking me to my car only to insist that I, then, drive him to HIS car...)

I should note, that I'm kind of a 'tough cookie' and can handle advances by men. It's just that this guy TOTALLY creeps me out (for lack of a better description), and I had already made a point to stay away from him before I realized that he was the one who did the baptisms, instead of the pastor.

Anyway...

I don't want him to baptize me...

Does it matter who does it? Should it matter? I don't like him touching me when I'm 'dry'...I certainly don't want his hands on me when I'm wet...

I'm thinking of going to another church to get baptized, but I'm wondering if they will, if I'm not a member. (My church won't baptize 'just anyone'...you have to have gone through the new membership class...)

Does the person who baptizes you have to be ordained in any special way? Or can anyone baptize you in the name of Jesus?

Your thoughts?

Anybody can baptise.

I've done it and, heck, if they'll let me do it...

Have you spoken to somebody about your concerns about this man? That's kind of a sticky situation and I don't really have an answer as to how to pursue that, but it's something you might want to pray about doing.

 

[JunkYardDog]

First, this "minister" should be reported. Period.

Second, there is nowhere in Scripture that authorizes special people to baptize others. (The clergy-laity distinction is unbiblical.)

Third, you should be baptized ASAP. No one in Scripture ever went through "new member classes" as a prerequisite to babptism. Baptism is a command of our Lord, not an initiation into "membership" in a local club.

 

[FollowingJesus]

First, this "minister" should be reported. Period.

I walked into church today, and he was sitting in the pulpit with the pastor...

Third, you should be baptized ASAP. No one in Scripture ever went through "new member classes" as a prerequisite to babptism. Baptism is a command of our Lord, not an initiation into "membership" in a local club.

That's kind of how I saw it. In addition to going through class, I had to call and be 'scheduled' for baptism (which was 2 weeks away, because they only baptize on 2nd and 4th Sunday's.)

Well, that Sunday came, and I didn't get a call or a letter, or anything.

I asked at church that day, and after asking several elders, I found out that baptisms had been cancelled for that day, and would have to wait for another 2 weeks. I was so disappointed... Also disappointed that no one contacted me.

So that following Monday, I called and left a message in the department that handled baptisms. I left a message, and no one got back to me. No return phone call, or anything.

I really like the weekly messages that I hear from the pulpit, but I also feel like God is sending me a message, as well.

Regarding my baptism...there is a brother in Christ who owns the shop where I rent a mailbox for my business. The day I went in to open the account, he and I [somehow] got on the subject of Christ, and we spent nearly an hour talking about Jesus and church.

He invited me to his church, which is very small. He told me that it would mean a lot to his pastor to see a new face there. I told him I would visit at some point.

I also invited him to my church, which is so large that the pastor would never notice if there were a new face in the church (no fault of his...the santuary seats 5000.)

I'm thinking I might visit the smaller church. All week, I have felt this tugging at my soul. Maybe it is there that I am to be baptized?

I will continue to pray about this.

 

[JunkYardDog]

I walked into church today, and he was sitting in the pulpit with the pastor...

Report him anyway.

That's kind of how I saw it. In addition to going through class, I had to call and be 'scheduled' for baptism (which was 2 weeks away, because they only baptize on 2nd and 4th Sunday's.)

Just call up some whacko, obedient Christian friend, find a wading pool or a public fountain, or a river or creek, and have that person do it today.

 

[Monica02]

Anyone, even non-Christians (?) can baptise. The important thing is that water is used and it is Trinitarian (ie - "I baptise you in the name of t he Father,Son and Holy Spirit"
I can understand you not wanting this crrepy guy baptising you (YUKKKY!). Good luck.

 

[Simonline]

I want to be baptized, but the 'gentleman' who does the baptisms in my church is not a 'gentleman' - AT ALL.

Earlier in the year, he said (and did) somethings that made me very uncomfortable. (speaking very negatively about 'unattractive women' in the church, and other 'easy to pick on' groups. He also pushes me to hug him, and insists on walking me to my car only to insist that I, then, drive him to HIS car...)

I should note, that I'm kind of a 'tough cookie' and can handle advances by men. It's just that this guy TOTALLY creeps me out (for lack of a better description), and I had already made a point to stay away from him before I realized that he was the one who did the baptisms, instead of the pastor.

Anyway...

I don't want him to baptize me...

Does it matter who does it? Should it matter? I don't like him touching me when I'm 'dry'...I certainly don't want his hands on me when I'm wet...

I'm thinking of going to another church to get baptized, but I'm wondering if they will, if I'm not a member. (My church won't baptize 'just anyone'...you have to have gone through the new membership class...)

Does the person who baptizes you have to be ordained in any special way? Or can anyone baptize you in the name of Jesus?

Your thoughts?

Scripturally the person who asists you in your baptism (you actually baptize yourself) should be a true believer who have themselves been baptized. Conventionally it's usually done by either the minister or other acknowledged and respected leader within the Church.

If you have misgivings about the person who would be baptizing you then you could always have a word with your pastor about it. As a female you are quite within your rights to ask that you be baptized by other females as a matter of either conscience or personal preference (that way you don't have to risk any kind of embarrassing confrontations). Any pastor of integrity should not challenge that request but should grant it immediately and without question.

The choice is yours.

Simonline.

 

[Joykins]

Report him anyway.

[...]
Just call up some whacko, obedient Christian friend, find a wading pool or a public fountain, or a river or creek, and have that person do it today.

Not a bad idea actually. My brother was in a Bible study when the study leader discovered that he'd never been baptized although he'd been a Christian for a while. Study leader was scandalized. Study leader took my brother to his backyard swimming pool and baptized him then and there.

I found this out one day when I ran out of gas and knocked on a door to use the phone, and this guy let me use his phone. When I gave him my name, he introduced himself, and said, "Oh, I know who you are, I baptized your brother!" Small world

 

[Thursday]

My opinion is that if you are baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then you are validly baptized, doesn't matter who does it.
But since this is an important part of your life, you should probably, if you can, get someone else to baptize you. Just because you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about the person.

 

[radeonboy]

I think it does matter who you are baptized from. Firstly the guy seems like a sicko. Secondly, I wouldn't want to be baptized by a person who does ungodly and weird things.

I don't think you should be baptized by him. It just wouldn't feel right for you. Your mind will be on something else than God.

 

[billwald]

Can't think of any reason why a non covenental protestant couldn't baptize himself as long as it was in front of witnesses. <G>

 

[DeaconDean]

The command to "...Go into all the worlds and preach the Gospel baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit..." was given to all who follow the Lord Jesus.

As a Deacon, I can say that there is no scriptural basis that Pastors, Bishops, etc. have to be the ones baptizing. Remember that the disciples were only ordinary men on God appointed missions. None of them were "Pastors, Bishops, etc. Phillip was only a missionary when he baptized the Ethiopian. (Acts 8:26-40)