Can I Baptize Myself?

      Greetings from God our Father who is our Lord Jesus. 

Because of Covid-19 families, homes,  businesses and churches have taking special precautions to keep people safe. These precautions include wear a face cover, wash your hands and keeping a safe distance (social distancing). Because I’m a pastor I can speak with specificity of what churches are doing. We have tried to limit the people in our sanctuaries by utilizing technology through virtual services, more phone calls to members than personal visits, etc.

I have seen some innovative strategies that have been very useful for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But I have also witnessed some very disturbing things lately. Although I am conservative in my views of holiness I am not talking about dress code. I am primarily dealing with what we as Oneness Pentecostals believe to be foundational. The doctrine of baptisms. The mode and manner of baptism is as important as the name we use in baptism. With that being noted I would hope to bring to our attention the importance of baptism in Jesus’ name from the perspective of the baptizer. Let’s reason together. Is it biblical for individuals to baptize themselves? Is it ok because we are pastoring in a pandemic? Is this blazing a new trail in the Kingdom? Is this an example of executing baptisms during this season and in the future? Are physically touch-less baptisms biblical? Should we take a page out of the book of this “new” doctrine or should we go the Holy pages of scripture? My brothers and sisters let’s look to the Bible for our doctrine.

In theology there is a law, principle or rule called first mention. It is a guideline that students use for studying the Bible. The law of first mention says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage. The reasoning is that the Bible’s first mention of a concept is the simplest and clearest presentation; doctrines are then more fully developed on that foundation. So, to fully understand an important and complex theological concept, Bible students are advised to start with its first mention.

The book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, naturally contains many first mentions, including the foundations of these doctrines and concepts: divine omnipotence, creation, paradise, marriage, family, sin, sacrifice, atonement, angels, prayer, judgment, covenant, government, death, burial, etc.

When following the law of first mention, we must be careful to also follow the other rules of hermeneutics. We cannot ignore context, for example the fact that the first mention of a serpent in the Bible in Genesis chapter is associated with Satan doesn’t mean that every mention of a serpent in the Bible should be interpreted as satanic. The serpent on the pole in Numbers 21:9 is a type of Christ, according to John 3:14.

So for the answer to the question, Can I baptize myself? Let’s look in the Bible for the first mention. Now we could do a typological study of the Old Testament and show you the doctrine of baptisms.

(1). The Baptism in Noah's day

(2). The Baptism of Moses 

(3). The Washings of the Law

(4). The Baptism of John the Baptist

(5). The Baptism in Jesus' name

But for the sake of staying on subject let’s discuss the first mention of the word baptism 

John the Baptist, whom God sent to prepare the way of the Lord, preached and administered the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:3-4). He came baptizing in order to manifest Christ to Israel (John 1:31). His baptism was a transitory one designed to prepare the Jewish people for Christ’s message and Christian baptism.

John baptism is the first mansion of the word “baptism” in the Bible and as the scriptures teaches he administered the baptisms. He was called John the Baptist because he was the baptizer.

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

(Matthew 3:5-6)

Note the wording in vs 6; “And were baptized of him” the people from Jerusalem, Judaea and the region round about Jordan were baptized by John the Baptist in Jordan.

John the Baptist said he was a baptizer of Water.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

(Matthew 3:11)

Baptism is so important in the plan of God for salvation that Jesus (who is God); was baptized. If anyone could have baptized themselves it would have been Jesus, but even he submitted to John’s baptism.

Matthew 3:13-16;

(13). Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 

Galilee to Jordan is about a 70 mile walk. That’s how important baptism is to God.

(14). But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 

John the Baptist felt his unworthiness in presence of God in Christ Jesus.

(15). And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

Jesus said in order to fulfill all righteousness he needed John the Baptist the baptize him.

(16). And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

This verse of Scripture is of the upmost importance. The Bible says “when he was baptized” all through the Bible baptism is always described as “being baptized”; that is, someone does it to you. You need to have someone to be the baptizer. 

If this is the first mention. It is the guideline for all baptisms in the Bible and if we are Bible believers we should go by the Word of God.

The Bible is the scripture (script-ure), God’s script. When a playwright creates a script, it gives instructions for all involved. It tells each person who they are, what to say, where to be, what to do, and how to do it. God gave us His Word and it is the script. He works according to his script. He will not deviate from His written plan.

Baptism of & by the Disciples:

During Christ’s early ministry, he baptized his disciples and his disciples baptized many converts upon his authority. 

“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”

(John 4:1-2)

It should be noted that God’s has a pattern of consistency throughout the scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. The law of first mention is followed by a pattern of consistency. In John 4:1-2 Jesus was the baptizer of his disciples and after he baptized them, they baptized others.

The  Great Commission:

Matthew 28:18-20;

(18). And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

(19). Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

This is a commandment from our Lord to Teach and baptize nations. Just as one can not teach himself, they can not baptize themselves ether.

(20). Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16;

(15). And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

(16). He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I would like to magnify three words in verse 16, 

“and is baptized” the very wording points one to the understanding of having someone else administer baptism not doing it yourself.

Burial with Christ:

Paul taught that baptism was a burial with Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). The old man is buried at baptism. The old man is the unregenerate lifestyle, the record of past sins, and the dominion of sin. After baptism, we never have to face the record of our past sins again. Have you ever seen a dead man or woman bury themselves? Absolutely not.

Baptism into Christ:

Paul also taught that we are baptized into Christ: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

The definition of “baptized”  is to administer baptism. 

According to the Apostle Paul when we had someone baptized us in water in Jesus’ name and God baptized us with the Holy Spirit we put on Christ.

In my conclusion let us stay with the Word of God and not forget the teachers of our fathers in the faith. 

My dear beloved brother/sister upon the confession of your faith concerning the death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the confidence that we have in the blessed word of God I now baptize you in the name of JESUS Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive The gift of the Holy Ghost. In the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST...... Amen.

Bryant A. Murphy