Is having a private baptism without a pastor present biblically valid?

The people who baptized in Bible times were men who had been commissioned by God and given authority: the prophets, John the Baptist, and the apostles, for example. The Bible seems to establish this as a precedent.

Acts 6:3 says that when the apostles set up the office of deacon, they chose seven men who were “of good reputation” and “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” Then, to make it official, these men were set before the apostles, who prayed and laid hands on them (verse 6). When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–39), we don’t know if he was still a deacon or if he had been “promoted.” We do know, however, that there is no record in the Bible of the disciples baptizing one another.

Let me tell you why I think that is. I’m a pastor, and if all of my church members believed they could go out and baptize whomever they felt led to baptize, without any kind of clearing process, they could wind up bringing people into the church who had not really been taught. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19, 20, my emphasis).

I’m not going to be dogmatic and say that God would not honor a private baptism at which no pastor is present. There have been Christians in communist countries who accepted Jesus and then baptized each other. But they were operating under extreme circumstances. Insofar as possible, baptism should be a public declaration of our decision to follow Christ.

If you have Bible-teaching churches in your community that teach and practice baptism by immersion, why wouldn’t you want to participate in a public baptism and invite your pastor?

Key Bible Texts

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3 KJV)