1. Jesus’ Great Commission Does Not Restrict Baptism to Ordained Ministers

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)

• Jesus gave this command to His disciples—not a special class of clergy.

• There is no biblical mention of ordination as a prerequisite to baptize.

• The early church was missionary in nature, and baptism was part of everyday disciple-making.

 

2. Examples from Acts Show Non-Clergy Baptizing

• Philip the Evangelist baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in the wilderness (Acts 8:36–38).

  • Philip was not one of the twelve apostles nor formally ordained clergy.

• Ananias baptized Paul (Acts 9:17–18) in a private setting.

  • Ananias was a lay disciple in Damascus—not an apostle or elder.

These examples show that Spirit-led, faithful believers performed baptisms when guided by the Holy Spirit and the need arose—even outside formal church gatherings.

 

3. The Priesthood of All Believers

“You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” (1 Peter 2:9)

• The New Testament introduces a radical shift: every believer shares in spiritual responsibilities.

• While pastors and elders serve specific roles, baptism is a function of disciple-making, which is a duty given to all believers.

 

Early Church & Historical Practice

• In times of persecution or absence of ordained leaders, early Christians often baptized one another.

• The Didache (early Christian document, ~AD 70–100) encouraged flexibility in baptism methods and who could perform them, based on availability and sincerity of faith.

• In Reformation traditions, especially Anabaptists and Baptists, household and lay baptisms were common, especially where clergy were absent or rejected for theological reasons.

 

Practical Safeguards for House Churches

To ensure theological integrity and prevent misunderstanding:

• Require a clear confession of faith from the candidate (Romans 10:9–10).

• Ensure the baptizer is a mature believer who understands the biblical meaning of baptism.

• Conduct the baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

• Record the event (written or video) as a testimony and for church history or future recognition.

• Emphasize that it is Christ who saves and receives, not the authority of the human baptizer.

 

Persuasive Language You Can Use on Your Website

"In line with the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early Church, we affirm that baptism is not confined to ordained clergy. Throughout Scripture, we see faithful believers—like Ananias and Philip—baptizing others as part of their walk in the Spirit. The essential requirement is not a title, but a heart submitted to Christ and a clear declaration of faith by the baptized. In the house church setting, baptisms performed by spiritually mature lay leaders or family members are fully valid before God, when done in reverence and accordance with Scripture."

​

The Biblical Right of Lay Baptism

Yes, Jesus Can Meet You at Home

Baptism is not about religious titles or formal robes—
It is about faith in Jesus Christ, a sincere heart, and the living presence of the Holy Spirit.

In the Bible, we see many baptisms carried out not by priests but by ordinary believers who walked closely with God.

• Philip, not one of the twelve apostles, baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in the desert (Acts 8).

• Ananias, a simple disciple in Damascus, baptized Paul—who would become the great apostle (Acts 9).

Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus restrict baptism to ordained ministers.
Instead, He gave the command to all disciples:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...” (Matthew 28:19)

The early church—often meeting in homes and hidden places—recognized this truth.
When no pastor was available, mature believers, parents, and leaders baptized others in rivers, homes, and prisons.
What mattered was faith, not formality.

In a House Church Today:

• If you believe in Jesus, you are called to help others follow Him.

• If someone confesses their faith, you can baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• You are not “pretending” to be a church—you are the church (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Let us boldly reclaim the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).
Let us welcome new life in Christ wherever God has placed us.

He will meet us in the water. He will fill the room with His Spirit.
And He will remember your obedience, even if the world never sees it.