At WLC, until very recently, we believed that only those whom hands had been laid upon for consecration as deacons could carry out the baptism of other believers. This stand was a step forward from the denominational churches' position that only ordained ministers can carry out baptism. But Father Yahuwah has shown us that our position is not suitable for these last days, when there will be precious souls desiring baptism throughout the world, and not enough ordained deacons to carry out this responsibility (plus the inconvenience of travel cost that will be involved). To this end, Father Yahuwah has brought to our attention His precedent in the case of John the Baptist whom He ordained to baptize others [see the question and answer below] and more recently, the history of the faithful Anabaptist, the "Radical Reformers" of the Reformation. After much study of the Anabaptists, we feel that in many ways their experience and persecution provides us with many lessons on how to cope with the final crisis that will engulf Yahuwah's faithful at the end of the age.
Question: If baptism can be done only by "ordained" ministers, by the laying on of hands etc. (which has clear precedent in Scripture), then who ordained John the Baptist?
Answer: Surely it was Yahuwah Himself and because He does not change, then He must be doing the same today for called out/separated believers in the restoration of all things through the spirit of Elijah in which John also operated!
Yahushua both asked and answered this question Himself:
Question: The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (Matthew 21:25)
Answer: For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist . . . (Luke 7:28)
Please see the link below to learn briefly about the Anabaptists:
http://thirdmill.org/newfiles/jac_arnold/ch.arnold.rmt.10.html
Immersion: The Anabaptists in their early days did not make any issue over the mode of baptism. We know that many practiced pouring for years before they came to the rightful conviction that immersion was the mode of baptism in the New Testament. They also believed that any Christian could baptize another Christian and that this was not the responsibility of ordained ministers only.
WLC NOTE: As a truth seeker, you can now ask Father Yahuwah to help lead another soul to His truth, and then you can baptize each other. If you must do it alone, then simply say to Yahuwah [as John must have done] “I receive your baptism in the name of Yahushua” and fully immerse yourself. HalleluYAH!
Baptism by full immersion must be done in the original [given] Hebrew name - Yahushua - as it was done in the book of Acts.[Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5] We realize that it is impossible to carry out this divine ordinance through any of the ordained ministers of today's fallen churches. Hence, it becomes essential that baptism / re-baptism be carried out by dedicated individuals who have embraced the whole truth and are living it in their lives, as well as being separated from all fallen churches.
All baptismal candidates should be engaged in the procedures set out below because this responsibility should not be taken lightly and as much as possible we must follow the pattern we see clearly outlined in Scripture.
If you examine the text in Acts 2 carefully, you will quickly see that much teaching, preaching and instruction, including the long history of the 'old' covenant and our Saviour's participation preceded and culminated in the word "repent" commanded by Peter in his subsequent decision for their baptism. Those engaged in performing baptisms did not neglect the thorough instruction of the candidates. Yahushua and the disciples engaged in personal instruction/teaching preceding all baptisms. John admonished all candidates to show the fruit of repentance in their lives before baptism (Mat. 3:7-12). He preached extensively and called many to repentance, yet we even see some baptized by him later needing further instruction and actual re-baptism by the disciples (Acts 19:3-5).
"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of Yahuwah and the name of Yahushua, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12)
Philip went into deep study with the Ethiopian eunuch who then saw His personal need for baptism. (Acts 8:26-39)
We also see that baptism before full understanding and living in obedience to the word can have devastating results as in the case of Simon. (Acts 8:13-23)
Saul was not baptized until after instruction by Ananias and 'the scales fell off his eyes' - also symbolically meaning that he saw the message and His new purpose clearly - "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." (Acts 9:18)
The way to be ready for this important ordinance is through prayerful study and living in obedience to Yahuwah’s Word. James makes it clear that faith must be evidenced by works (James 2:17-18). Works are the outward evidence of one’s faith.
The candidate should be carefully taught.
"Teach all nations, baptizing them. . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)
The candidate should be taught all things that Yahushua commanded.
To this end, candidates are encouraged to complete all of the eCourses at https://www.worldslastchance.com/ecourses. These courses are designed for structured systematic study and will certainly be of great benefit when the lessons are studied in detail.
Each candidate should determine readiness for baptism as explained at http://www.worldslastchance.com/baptism/how-do-i-know-
...and should be in full agreement with the 25 Fundamental Beliefs and principles at http://www.worldslastchance.