Question:
Dear Greg,
I
am a Christian, but I have not been baptized with water.
I don’t believe you have to be to see the Kingdom of Heaven, but in my
heart I feel it is the right thing to do. Here’s
the thing, though. I am not a member
of any certain denomination. It
seems that I keep running into the problem where I feel like once the preacher
or priest finds that I am not wanting to join their faith/church, they don’t
seem as interested in baptizing me. What
do you suggest? One option I have
thought about is someone I think the world of as a Christian.
Is it kosher for just a fellow Christian to baptize me?
Christ
be with you,
Jon
Answer: Dear Jon,
One
of the core beliefs of Christianity is that the body of Christ transcends
denominational borders—that no one group has a monopoly on Christ, or owns
him. It is therefore inconsistent
with such a belief that a pastor would refuse baptism to someone who did not
intend to become a full member of his church.
However, I can believe that you have encountered some.
Can
another Christian baptize you? Nothing
in the Bible would prohibit it. However,
when one considers baptism, it might be helpful to discuss it with a pastor or
spiritual elder. Nothing in the
Bible leads us to conclude that it is a requirement.
In
Christ,