In all the baptisms I’ve witnessed, they have been conducted by those who hold a ministerial position – evangelists, pastors, and elders – having been certified, licensed, and/or ordained. Because holding a church office engenders a sense of authority in our minds, I think we’ve come to accept that it is only by such individuals that a baptism is desirable and legitimate.

Now don’t get me wrong. Certainly, such baptisms are appropriate and valid, but does that mean baptisms performed by a lay person aren’t justifiable as valid?

I looked through the Bible to get an answer. After looking at the baptisms mentioned in the gospels and the book of Acts, a picture does emerge.

In addition to the apostles, the disciples of both Jesus and John the Baptist performed baptisms.

Then, there’s the instruction that Jesus gives in His Great Commission. In it, He said to go forth and make disciples in all nations. In doing that, He said that baptism is part of the process (Matthew 28: 18-20).

Since the Great Commission is rightfully understood and accepted as being given to all Christians, then obviously that means that all Christians have the authority from God Himself to perform baptisms. A piece of paper or title isn’t needed to do it.

Again, there is nothing wrong with wanting or desiring to be baptized under the auspices of a church official. But, surely there are circumstances around the world in which such an administrator may not be available.

In such cases, it seems to me that God would view a lay baptism as equally validating a person’s membership in the body of Christ.