Can a person baptize himself?

[Hestha]

Let's say that there is a person named Bob. One day, he decides to become a Christian. Just before he baptizes himself, he says these words: “I baptize myself: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” So, he fills his sink with water, scoops up a cup of water, and pours the water over his head. He cleans up any watery mess that has spilled on the floor or on the bathroom countertop during baptism. Then, he begins a one-man church in his living room and repeats sermons that he has memorized from Jesus in the Bible and reports them to his family members (wife, son, daughter). The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Baptism is a public declaration of faith, so it would be frivolous for someone to baptize themselves is private.

And the situation you just described is how cults form. Due to the absence of checks and balances against false doctrine, those "little mistakes" in theology turn into monsters later.

Can a person perform the act of baptism by themself? Yes. Does it mean anything and would it actually be a baptism? No.

 

[Hestha]

Baptism is a public declaration of faith, so it would be frivolous for someone to baptize themselves is private.

And the situation you just described is how cults form. Due to the absence of checks and balances against false doctrine, those "little mistakes" in theology turn into monsters later.

Can a person perform the act of baptism by themself? Yes. Does it mean anything and would it actually be a baptism? No.

OK. How about saying that the person is a secular biblical scholar who suddenly decides to follow Jesus and uses his biblical studies in academia so that his theology is mostly based on modern academic biblical studies? Also, what happens if he's the only Christian on the planet and everyone else is non-Christian but studies the Bible as literature?

 

[Girder of Loins]

OK. How about saying that the person is a secular biblical scholar who suddenly decides to follow Jesus and uses his biblical studies in academia so that his theology is mostly based on modern academic biblical studies?

Well, in any case, as long as he believes that Jesus was the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins, and rose three days later, then he is a Christian. I was merely warning against the likelihood that false doctrines will start to creep up.

Fellowship with other Christians is also important. Not only to have that check and balance, but because humans need to spend time around those who agree with them. A life of constant war without support is near impossible.

In this case, I would say his theology would probably be fairly strong, but his spiritual and emotional life would suck.

 

[Hestha]

Well, in any case, as long as he believes that Jesus was the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins, and rose three days later, then he is a Christian. I was merely warning against the likelihood that false doctrines will start to creep up.

Fellowship with other Christians is also important. Not only to have that check and balance, but because humans need to spend time around those who agree with them. A life of constant war without support is near impossible.

In this case, I would say his theology would probably be fairly strong, but his spiritual and emotional life would suck.

Would reading ancient sermons and modern sermons supplement the assumed lack of "spiritual and emotional life"? He can also pretend that he has imaginary friends around him by his side, and his imaginary friends may participate in communion together.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Well there ya go! Problems solved!

 

[Radagast]

No.

 

[drjean]

One cannot "officially" baptize him or her self. It is an ordinance of the Church, given authority to do so for the recognition of like believers. Even Jesus did not baptize Himself, remember.

 

[parsley]

The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

It's great that Bob and his family are doing whatever they can to bring God into their household and lives. They are not waiting for everything to be perfect, or for others to approve of their faith, or adding a year's delay before they get comfortable in a church. They are moving forward, and if a mistake was made, then it can be corrected later.

Maybe when their church grows, everyone can have a more public ceremony -- have an event at a lake, with friends and family invited. If they end up at a church, most pastors will gladly perform a public ceremony to make it feel more official.

JESUS

Imagine how many followers Jesus had the 30 years before His public ministry. His mom, his aunt...probably His cousin John... Jesus adhered to Judaism, but started Christianity with a handful of believers.

His baptism was public and administered by others, but His favor with His Father did not start at that moment.

Jesus taught empowerment of believers, how one child can bring a loaf and fish, and God can multiply it out to feed thousands. It is not about what we do, but what we allow God to do through us.


ABRAM

Look at the early chapters on Abraham--God sent him outward to claim land. He had to enter a land with no synagogues, no believers... and carry on His faith in God.

Genesis 12:

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him... He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan.

In Genesis 15:

"I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."

On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."

​

These were not religious-tolerant nations.


JOSEPH

Fancy-coat Joseph left his homeland and had to carry on his faith when he knew no other Jews. He honored the Jewish faith by inviting G-d to do mighty things through him in Egypt. He brought Judaism into the home of the man considered a sun god, all by himself.

Some people do not have the luxury of churches on every corner.

TODAY

Some people here on the forum live in Islamic or Communist nations, where their lives and families would be endangered in public Christian ceremonies.

If churches and fellowships are available, then independent baptism is a little lonely, don't you think?

There is evidence that the Jews of Jesus' day already practiced baptism, with a different premise than we do today. If you have time, read about the Mikveh ceremony.

http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2456-baptism

"According to rabbinical teachings, which dominated even during the existence of the Temple (Pes. viii. 8), Baptism, next to circumcision and sacrifice, was an absolutely necessary condition to be fulfilled by a proselyte to Judaism (Yeb. 46b, 47b; Ker. 9a; 'Ab. Zarah 57a; Shab. 135a; Yer. Kid. iii. 14, 64d)."

Ezek. xxxvi. 25, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean."
​

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

Let's say that there is a person named Bob. One day, he decides to become a Christian. Just before he baptizes himself, he says these words: “I baptize myself: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” So, he fills his sink with water, scoops up a cup of water, and pours the water over his head. He cleans up any watery mess that has spilled on the floor or on the bathroom countertop during baptism. Then, he begins a one-man church in his living room and repeats sermons that he has memorized from Jesus in the Bible and reports them to his family members (wife, son, daughter). The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

I sense a degree of sarcasm in your words and laughing face.

But to set you right :

1. The example in scripture is for ANOTHER to baptize you.
2. Nowhere in the Bible does it suggest staying at home . Instead, it commands to get in with an established Church Body for corporate worship and not play the Lone Ranger . It further encourages a Believer to serve God and Others individually and in a group setting.
3. Lastly, Baptism is a proclamation to OTHERS as witnesses, that you have genuinely recieved Christ into your life and that your sins have been washed away by his blood and that a changed life has begun (thus symbolized by the going down into the water and coming up again) .
4. Finally, the two sacraments that Christ instituted were : Baptism in water after being saved by faith alone...and....Communion for the Believer as a rememberance of Christs one time and only sufficient sacrifice on calvary some 2000 years ago. BOTH are done in the presence of Others where the joy and gratefulness is rightfully shared.

Are you saved of your many sins ? If not, you need to be so you can be reconciled to God instead of being estranged from him .

 

[bling]

Let's say that there is a person named Bob. One day, he decides to become a Christian. Just before he baptizes himself, he says these words: “I baptize myself: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” So, he fills his sink with water, scoops up a cup of water, and pours the water over his head. He cleans up any watery mess that has spilled on the floor or on the bathroom countertop during baptism. Then, he begins a one-man church in his living room and repeats sermons that he has memorized from Jesus in the Bible and reports them to his family members (wife, son, daughter). The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

I would say, “no”, also but for additional reasons. Baptism is supposed to help the new convert to physically experience what is going on spiritually. The immersion water baptism is like the death of your old person being buried and rising to a new life. The new convert is putting himself (life, security, trust) into the hands of another (dependence on another). The person doing the baptism does not have to be a Christian, but it would be good to have Christians around to hug and surround him/her into his new family coming out of the water.

 

[Hestha]

I would say, “no”, also but for additional reasons. Baptism is supposed to help the new convert to physically experience what is going on spiritually. The immersion water baptism is like the death of your old person being buried and rising to a new life. The new convert is putting himself (life, security, trust) into the hands of another (dependence on another). The person doing the baptism does not have to be a Christian, but it would be good to have Christians around to hug and surround him/her into his new family coming out of the water.

What if the baptizer has malicious intentions? A baptizer may invite the potential Christian to the water and then fully immerse the person into the water, but instead of helping the Christian rise, he forces the potential Christian down and then drowns that potential Christian, thereby committing murder. Maybe it's safer not to be baptized by immersion. At best, a person could be baptized by pouring or sprinkling.

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

What if the baptizer has malicious intentions? A baptizer may invite the potential Christian to the water and then fully immerse the person into the water, but instead of helping the Christian rise, he forces the potential Christian down and then drowns that potential Christian, thereby committing murder. Maybe it's safer not to be baptized by immersion. At best, a person could be baptized by pouring or sprinkling.

Could you explain why you joined CF to get entertainment as you admitted to me ? Wouldnt it be smarter to seriously investigate the Christian Faith since your eternity is at stake , instead of dreaming up silly scenarios ? Thanks.

 

[Noxot]

Let's say that there is a person named Bob. One day, he decides to become a Christian. Just before he baptizes himself, he says these words: “I baptize myself: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” So, he fills his sink with water, scoops up a cup of water, and pours the water over his head. He cleans up any watery mess that has spilled on the floor or on the bathroom countertop during baptism. Then, he begins a one-man church in his living room and repeats sermons that he has memorized from Jesus in the Bible and reports them to his family members (wife, son, daughter). The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

haha

but no, only God can baptize people.

 

[ebia]

Let's say that there is a person named Bob. One day, he decides to become a Christian. Just before he baptizes himself, he says these words: "I baptize myself: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." So, he fills his sink with water, scoops up a cup of water, and pours the water over his head. He cleans up any watery mess that has spilled on the floor or on the bathroom countertop during baptism. Then, he begins a one-man church in his living room and repeats sermons that he has memorized from Jesus in the Bible and reports them to his family members (wife, son, daughter). The family members think Jesus is pretty cool, and decide to become Christians too. Then, the wife baptizes herself, and the wife baptizes the son and daughter. Then, Bob and his family start a close-knit family "church"... with only 4 church attendants.

No.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Baptism is a public event. That doesn't mean there has to be a lot of people present, or done in front of a group; but rather that Baptism is our passive entry into the Church.

I could no more baptize myself than I could be born into the world on my own without my mother and her womb.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

What if the baptizer has malicious intentions? A baptizer may invite the potential Christian to the water and then fully immerse the person into the water, but instead of helping the Christian rise, he forces the potential Christian down and then drowns that potential Christian, thereby committing murder. Maybe it's safer not to be baptized by immersion. At best, a person could be baptized by pouring or sprinkling.

There's a better chance of getting eaten by a shark at McDonalds.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[bling]

There's a better chance of getting eaten by a shark at McDonalds.

-CryptoLutheran

That is a better answer then I had.

 

[parsley]

Folks, please remember that Christian networking now goes into non-Christian countries, and one network alone has twelve affiliates that reach tens of millions of people in countries where Christianity is taboo, and even illegal. There are not established churches in many of these areas. There are no options for formal baptisms, and there might be no other visible Christians around.

Did Jesus ever put rules on baptism? Did other forefathers or scriptures put mandates on it? Then who are we obeying when we say it is impossible for a person with good intentions to make the gesture to commit to God through a water-related act?

If the act is done in the sight of God, with the intent to please God, and the only worthwhile condemnation for error would be from God, then it is just man's built-up rules that are being imposed on a person.

Who baptized John the Baptist?

Who baptized Moses?

Lighten up. Look to scriptures for your answers about God's will.

When I had a born-again experience and wanted to be baptized (after infant baptism), I had to go outside of the church to have it done. Please take into consideration that we do not all live in cozy Christian communities.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Folks, please remember that Christian networking now goes into non-Christian countries, and one network alone has twelve affiliates that reach tens of millions of people in countries where Christianity is taboo, and even illegal. There are not established churches in many of these areas. There are no options for formal baptisms, and there might be no other visible Christians around.

Did Jesus ever put rules on baptism? Did other forefathers or scriptures put mandates on it? Then who are we obeying when we say it is impossible for a person with good intentions to make the gesture to commit to God through a water-related act?

If the act is done in the sight of God, with the intent to please God, and the only worthwhile condemnation for error would be from God, then it is just man's built-up rules that are being imposed on a person.

Who baptized John the Baptist?

Who baptized Moses?

Lighten up. Look to scriptures for your answers about God's will.

When I had a born-again experience and wanted to be baptized (after infant baptism), I had to go outside of the church to have it done. Please take into consideration that we do not all live in cozy Christian communities.

Well Christian baptism came after St. John the Baptist, and much longer after Moses. It was instituted specifically by Jesus and began on Pentecost as related in the second chapter of the Acts.

Nobody is saying that one can't become a Christian if Baptism is not available due to extraordinary circumstances; also nobody is saying that Baptism must be performed in a church building. Rather the point is that Baptism is not about a private spiritual experience; it is the normative Means through which we receive the saving Word and are united to the Body of Christ, the Communion of Saints. The act of Baptism happens in the context of community, whether in front of the gathered assembly, or in an example like St. Philip the Evangelist and the Ethiopian, "Look, there is water, what prevents me from being baptized?".

If there are extraordinary circumstances depriving someone from receiving Baptism, God is not going to hold this against them. God's will to save, and the power of His Gospel Word, is stronger than any circumstance we might find ourselves in the world. God's mercy and grace always triumphs.

-CryptoLutheran