Who is responsible for administering the ordinance of water baptism?

The administration of the ordinance of water baptism is fundamentally a responsibility of the church. This is because baptism is recognized as a sacrament or ordinance that is directly linked to the church’s mission and practice as outlined in the New Testament.

In many Christian traditions, including the Church of God, baptism signifies the initiation of a believer into the faith community. It embodies obedience to Christ’s command and is typically performed within a congregational context, emphasizing the collective aspect of faith. The church, as a body of believers, is entrusted with the authority to baptize, ensuring that this practice aligns with theological principles, community standards, and oversight for pastoral care.

While individual believers can express their faith and desire for baptism, and evangelists may lead people to faith that results in baptism, it is the church that has the organized structure and spiritual authority to perform the sacrament formally. Community leaders do not carry the same theological or ecclesiastical mandate regarding the ordinance as the church does, further emphasizing the church's pivotal role in administering baptism.