WHY STUDY YOURSELF PART 4

Part 4
Who can baptize someone? Does it have to be a pastor? From what we have been reading we know that John baptized and His calling was from the Lord not from man. Jesus Himself did not baptize anyone but His disciples did. That tells us that someone called of God can baptize and disciples can.

Who is a disciple? Webster’s tells us that it is one who believes in and helps disseminate the teachings of a master. Disseminate means to scatter widely, as in sowing seeds; to spread abroad.
When we look at Strongs we find that there are four different definitions used for the word disciple. The first time is in Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples. This scripture is speaking of the prophet Isaiah’s disciples and means: instructed, accustomed, learned, taught, used. This is the only time the word disciple is used in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament in Matthew 27:57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Here the word means to become a pupil; enroll as scholar, be disciple, instruct, teach. Acts 9:36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. Here the translation of disciple is a female pupil.

In the other 273 times it is mentioned it means a leaner, pupil. This is one of those times when I choose to step back and ask you to think for yourself. What conclusion do you come to? From studying we find that depending on which scripture you are reading you get different meanings. That is why we do need to seek and search.

Of those 273 scriptures I can interpret that only a person of higher learning can baptize. I can also see where if a person’s heart and life are right that anyone can. The scriptures tell us in Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Verse 15…but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ--and verse 16. …from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of their mind.

Clearly if a Pastor, teacher or other is available then they should baptize. But if the situation presents itself where you are witnessing to someone and they are led to be baptized at the time, then surely you as a part of the body can also perform this rite, just as you can lead them in a prayer of repentance.

What exactly is the purpose of baptizing someone? That will be answered in part 5 tomorrow.

God Bless,

rECj