Do I have to be baptized by a Pastor? Can I baptize my own grownup child? Can my husband and I baptize each other?

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It is important for all believers of any church to adhere to the Biblical direction of baptism by immersion lest one falls into the trap of leaning on one’s own methods and private and personal baptisms. Let us look at what God’s Word prescribes. John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To be born again seems a critical part of our survival as Christians that is attached to a certain sequence to be followed. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” The commission for Christians states: Matt. 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” There is teaching required following the decision to follow Jesus and definite rules to adhere to. Mark 11:30 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” Jesus baptism confirms his agreement with the method used by John at that time. In Acts we see a pattern emerge that could be used to direct us. Acts 18:25 “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.” It is clear that not everybody started to serve this religious rite as they adhered to the structure used by the leaders of the early church. With the direction given by the example of our Saviour’s baptism, Paul suggested a need to be correctly baptized. Acts 19:3 “And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” 1 Cor.1:14 “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” Studying religious rites we should be comforted by the following: 1 Cor.14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” A structured approach would be advisable, whereby one undergoes studies to establish exactly what the Bible teaches. This will indicate the need to acknowledge Christ Jesus as a personal Saviour. This also confirms that change of heart in wanting to be a follower of Christ under a certain theology, being baptised by a person called by God to be a servant to the people. This is a serious decision and should not be entered into, without the explicit awareness between teacher and student of the significance of such a decision in the life of a follower of Christ.