I would have to agree with pergamum. If referring to the church you mean a actual community of believers that meet on any given Sunday then I would have to disagree with your position. Now if you mean Church as the body of Christ on earth then I would agree with your position. I think that it is reaching to make the assumption that someone has to be sent by a recognized congregation in order that a baptism be considered valid. As Christians we are priests and therefore, if called upon by the Holy Spirit to evangelize and baptize then that is what we should be doing. Missionaries have done this for 2000 years. I'm quite certain that it is much more important for an individual to come to repentance and faith, then be baptized into the body of Christ than it is for that person to be part of a recognized ecclesiastical body. The next thing you know we will begin hearing "repent for the Ecclesiastical church is at hand." Lets not discount those who are making a difference in the lives of people all over the world because of the ministry that GOD not man has called them to.

Blessings,

__________________
Rev. Toby Holland
Director of Evangelism
Wiltsie Community Church (CCCC)
LBC - 1689