The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum HowWouldYouAnswerThis?

My question is, why is it necessary to have a trained person perform the baptism? Is there some grace confired on the person baptized that only a trained/ordained individual is able to give? I know I'm throwing myself into the lion's den on this newsgroup, but I believe we err when we believe only a trained or ordained person can baptize. I'm guessing the answer will be that only elders have authority to include individuals into the covenant people, or church, but I say, only the Holy Spirit has the authority to do that. As you probably already know my view of baptism from previous posts, I believe it is the believer's responsibility to take this first step of faith. The only responsibility of the bapizer is to provide the opportunity for the believer to take this step of obedience. We have elevated baptism into something it isn't, and in doing so have limited it to only certain individuals being authorized to perform. I would even say that many of the trained or ordained are less qualified than many believers. Maybe it is the college degree/seminary degree that gives the authority, I honestly don't know on what the criteria is really based.

I'm only giving my view, so be kind in you responses, I'm not asking you to agree. I realize that because of my Baptist background, I'm not in the majority on this newsgroup.