Baptism: Does the Administrator's Character Matter?

It is a wonderful thing when someone chooses to be baptized, as it is a significant step in their faith journey! While the core act of baptism represents a burial with Christ into His death and a rising to a new life in Him, the individual performing the baptism, or administrator, is also important. The Bible provides guidelines for those who administer this sacred ordinance.PTUK November 1, 1894, page 691.4+1

Those who administer baptism are called to be dedicated servants of God, acting under the control of the Holy Spirit. They should be individuals who have cleansed their own hearts from iniquity and defilement, approaching God with pure intentions like little children.7MR 266.3+2 This ensures that the sacredness of the ordinance is upheld.

Here are some key aspects regarding who should administer baptism:

🌟 Qualities of an Administrator

• Purity and Consecration: Those who handle God's Word and minister to His people are to cleanse their hearts from all iniquity and defilement. They should come to God with a pure purpose of heart.1SAT 187.2

• Spirit-Controlled: It is essential for church officers and those in positions of leadership to keep their hearts under the control of the Holy Spirit.7MR 266.3

• Humble and Teachable: Administrators should be humble, child-like, weak, ignorant, and willing to be taught by anyone who can share more about their spiritual experience and lead them into all truth.ARSH January 20, 1859, page 66.1

• Living Sacrifices: Individuals working in Christ's lines should feel that they are not their own, but are consecrated to God, sprinkled with the blood of Christ's sacrifice, and resolved to be living, consuming sacrifices by God's grace.12LtMs, Ms 139, 1897, par. 15

• Faithful to God's Word: They must present the subject of baptism clearly, encouraging individuals to read and study their Bibles to understand their duty.ARSH December 8, 1863, page 13.7

📖 Biblical Examples and Teachings

• Christ's Commission: Jesus Himself commissioned His servants to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20. This indicates that baptism is to be administered by those who are teaching and discipling others.BEST February 24, 1896, page 61.1+1

• Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: Philip, who was directed by the Spirit to explain prophecy, baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:26-38TT 57.5+1 This shows that those who administer baptism are to be led by the Spirit and capable of explaining the truth.

• Paul and the Ephesian Disciples: Paul rebaptized twelve men who had only known John's baptism, after explaining the full mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-7TT 149.3+3 This highlights the importance of the candidate's understanding and acceptance of the gospel truth before baptism, and the necessity of an administrator who fully comprehends and teaches Christian baptism.

🙏 Considerations for Re-baptism

While some people have historically expressed prejudice against re-baptism, it is a practice supported by scripture in certain circumstances.ARSH April 2, 1857, page 173.11 Paul's action in Acts 19:1-5 demonstrates that if a person's initial baptism did not fully align with the requirements of the gospel, re-baptism is appropriate. This is not seen as repeating a valid ordinance, but rather ensuring the conditions of the gospel rite are truly met.TOB 60.1+1 It is a privilege and a blessing for those who genuinely seek to renew their covenant with God through confession, repentance, and re-baptism.Ev 375.1+1

The emphasis is always on the spiritual transformation and genuine faith of the individual being baptized, with the administrator playing a crucial role in ensuring that the ordinance is carried out in accordance with divine instruction.