Self-Baptism

[Korialstrasz]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum so I'm not really sure where to ask this question. I also asked this question on the Ask a Chaplain forum, as I did not know that this one existed. Can someone tell me how to delete that topic?

Anyways, on with my question: I live in a small town, approximately 30,000 population. Churches are few and far between, maybe 3 in the whole town. I'm having a very hard time finding a Church in which to be baptised. I'm sure I could find one, but I'm also unaware of which type of Church I have to go to to be baptised at.

Is "self-baptism" possible? Is it invalid if I do it by myself? Is it possible to have one who is not, for example, Church staff, baptise me? How would I go about having this done if it's not at a Church?


Thanks all for your time.

[Sweet Pea]

What do you say is the purpose of baptism? What does scripture say about it?

[TimRout]

Speaking from a Baptist perspective, there is a sense in which all baptisms are self-baptisms. Believer's baptism by immersion is a public statement of personal faith in Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior. That said, every biblical example of baptism involves a church leader supervising the process. Different sub-traditions within the Baptist world have slightly different rules about who the officiator can be, but in our church baptisms are usually done by the Pastor.

Assuming you do not have a Pastor available, you could ask any mature Christian man to assist you. Remember, baptism is by definition a public testimony of your personal faith in Christ. However you arrange it, make your baptism a public event. Typically, it should be accompanied by your personal testimony. This testimony can be delivered by you or a believer you trust.

While there is no hard and fast biblical rule on the delivery of one's testimony, there are three things you might want to keep in mind.

First, tell people how you came to faith in Christ. Second, explain that baptism is only a symbol of your new life in Christ, and NOT what saves you. Third, explain the way of salvation for any nonbelievers present. Baptisms are a wonderful witnessing opportunity.