Expert: John Fields - 9/5/2011

Question
The reason why I ask is because of this:

Recently, I was baptizing a lady who was outside of the Lord's body, and her friend, who happens to be a female, asked (jokingly), "I can baptize her if you want?"

I ended up baptizing her, but it brought up an interesting concept: are men the only individuals authorized to baptize, or is it simply a tradition men have started to potray "authority"? Furthermore, I understand that in scripture, at least from my understanding, that only men are shown baptizing, but that doesn't necessarily negate the fact women could baptize, correct?

- Thanks for your time Brother!

Answer
The short version is, no, it is not wrong for ladies to baptize. One should pay very close attention to the surroundings and what the feelings involved are. It would be a terrible shame to offend someone during an occasion in which the angels themselves are celebrating.

A quick story is in order. I heard the story of a woman who had been a stripper and had followed the Gospel. She gave up a great deal and accepted Christ with her arms wide open. She then started working as a street vendor outside the place where she had been "working." In her extreme excitement, his woman had studied with one or two other women from inside and had baptized them. As the fellow telling me the story said, tongue firmly planted in cheek, "She baptized those other ladies before she knew any better. Thank God!"

I agree with him, it isn't wrong and is EXTREMELY encouraging when new babes in Christ SO appreciate their salvation that they can't wait to tell others about it.