Dr. Bernard, today we want to ask you a question about baptism. Of course, the New Testament

mentions baptism repeatedly, and one as Pentecostals believe baptism is necessary for salvation,

but this leads to a question that I don't know that the New Testament directly addresses.

So the New Testament has a lot of examples of baptism. A few prominent ones that come to mind are when

John the Baptist baptizes Jesus or Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch. So we know from these examples

that baptism requires two people. You can't baptize yourself. But the New Testament doesn't seem to answer the

question directly at least. Who exactly is authorized to perform baptisms? Do you need to be a

credentialed minister? What guidelines would you say that the Bible offers us? You're correct that

the Bible doesn't give us explicit instructions. We have typically said that baptism should

be performed by a minister of the gospel or someone authorized by a minister of the gospel.

And I think the first reason is pragmatic so that we make sure it's performed correctly according to the New Testament,

especially making sure the person truly has faith in Jesus Christ, is truly repented of sins,

and baptized by full immersion with the invocation of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So we want somebody who's competent and knowledgeable and not a novice or not just rushing through this because

somebody thinks it's a good idea. Now, some have questions further. So does that mean the person

baptizing must have special qualifications? So what if we think they're a credential minister

and they're really not? Or what if they're living in hypocrisy and secret adultery or false doctrine or what have you?

And I think at the end of the day, we have to say the efficacy of what our baptism is based on, first of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, his atoning sacrifice.

We're identifying with his burial.

And then, of course, the person's faith in Jesus Christ and repentance from sin to the extent that they have knowledge of what that means.

And I qualify that by saying a new person may have a very limited understanding, but as long as

they're truly wanting to serve God, truly wanting to turn

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