Who is authorized to perform a baptism?

I. Understanding Baptism in Scripture

Baptism, as described in the New Testament, is a public declaration and symbolic act representing a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The Berean Standard Bible repeatedly highlights its significance for followers of Christ. One of the best-known passages is found in Matthew 28:19–20, where Jesus commands: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”

The broader historical and archaeological evidence of baptisms—such as first-century baptismal pools discovered in the Jerusalem area—confirms that early believers viewed baptism as a vital ordinance. Ancient pools (mikva’ot) used for ritual washings in Second Temple Judaism further illustrate that the concept of immersive cleansing carried over into early Christian practice.

II. Biblical Precedents and Examples

1. John the Baptist’s Role

John the Baptist’s ministry included baptizing people “in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins” (Matthew 3:6). While he was specifically called by God (Luke 3:2), this example shows that baptism was a spiritual act tied to repentance, authorized in John’s case by his prophetic office.

2. Jesus and His Disciples

After Jesus was baptized by John, His own disciples later performed baptisms (John 4:1–2). The text indicates that the disciples were entrusted with this responsibility under Jesus’ direction.

3. Apostolic Practice

In Acts 2:38, Peter calls upon the crowd at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” The apostles continued to baptize throughout the book of Acts, establishing a tradition that those already commissioned to preach and teach were the ones leading other believers in baptism (e.g., Acts 10:47–48, Acts 16:33).

III. Authority Rooted in the Great Commission

Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18–20 is the central text for understanding who may baptize. The call is given to disciples to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This directive does not limit baptism to only the Twelve Apostles or to a specific office such as bishop or elder. Instead, it lays out that disciples, those who are themselves under Christ’s authority, can be used to baptize new believers into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The reliability of this Commission is supported by manuscript evidence such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, attesting to consistent transmission of the text. Early church writings, including the Didache (dating to the late first or early second century), reference baptism as part of the ongoing life of the church. These writings do not strictly confine who can baptize but do stress proper teaching, repentance, and the invoking of the triune name of God.

IV. Early Church Perspectives

1. The Didache’s Instruction

The Didache (7:1) instructs to “baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in living water.” While it does not always specify who must perform the act, it reinforces the necessity of following Christ’s command and ensuring baptism is carried out in a reverent manner.

2. Tertullian and Later Writers

Early church fathers like Tertullian referred to baptism as a sacred rite within the Christian community. Although church leadership (bishops, elders, or deacons) were often the ones administering baptism, this was more for order and consistency rather than from the standpoint that only they were allowed.

V. Local Church Structure and Practical Considerations

Throughout church history, a variety of traditions emerged to help maintain orderly worship. Many local congregations and denominations practice a form of church oversight or leadership involvement in baptism to ensure proper teaching precedes it. Paul’s letters demonstrate that the local church is a living body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:12–27), and decisions about who conducts baptisms often reflect a desire for unity and theological integrity within each community.

At the practical level, seeing a pastor or ordained minister performing the baptism can help maintain accountability and sound teaching. That said, Acts 8:36–38 recounts Philip, who was not designated an apostle, baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch upon the eunuch’s profession of faith. This precedent undercuts the idea that only a small group may baptize and instead shows the emphasis is on genuine belief and obedience to Christ’s command.

VI. Comprehensive Conclusion

1. Scriptural Foundation

Scripture does not present an explicit, exhaustive restriction on who can baptize. Instead, it places the focus on making disciples, teaching them, and baptizing in the triune name (Matthew 28:19–20). The book of Acts provides multiple examples of believers who carried out baptisms once they had been sent or recognized by the church.

2. Order and Unity

For the sake of order, many church bodies have designated recognized leaders to perform baptisms. However, the essential requirement in Scripture is that baptism be administered by a believer acting under Christ’s authority and through the fellowship of the church. Proper teaching, confession of faith, and a clear proclamation of the gospel are at the forefront.

3. Historical and Archaeological Support

Archaeological discoveries, such as ancient baptismal sites in sites like Bethany beyond the Jordan (often identified as the region where John baptized) and first-century churches, confirm the continuity of baptism as early as the apostolic age. Manuscript evidence verifying the Great Commission in Matthew 28 fortifies the trustworthiness and consistency of the biblical text. Such corroboration upholds the biblical teaching that baptism is vital but does not relegate the practice to an exclusive elite.

4. Essential Answer

Whoever performs baptism should be a professing believer acting in cooperation with a faithful Christian community and in obedience to the commands of Scripture. The final authority is the instruction given by Jesus, echoed and modeled by His disciples, that believers are both recipients of and participants in baptizing new disciples into the faith.

In sum, baptized followers of Christ, operating within a local church structure and committed to biblical teaching, may administer baptism. While many church traditions entrust this responsibility primarily to leaders or ordained individuals as a matter of practical order, biblical precedent and the early church indicate the key factor is fidelity to Christ’s commission rather than a strict clerical sanction.