The Invalidity of Lay-Baptism Proved from Scripture, and Confirmed by the Doctrine of Catholick Antiquity, and of the Church of England: Volume 2

The Invalidity Of Lay-Baptism Proved From Scripture, And Confirmed By The Doctrine Of Catholick Antiquity, And Of The Church Of England by Thomas Blackhall. This tract argues that lay baptism is invalid because baptism is the work of Christ's ordained ministry; only those with a divine commission from Christ (originally the Apostles and their successors) have authority to baptize in the Church. Blackhall traces the scriptural basis (the Great Commission), the doctrine of divine institution, and patristic and Anglican practice to support the claim that baptism performed by laypersons cannot confer the grace of the covenant or make a person a true member of the Church. He contends that the Church of England's Articles and rubrics require episcopal ordination for valid baptism, and that lay administration undermines church order, sacramental efficacy, and the distinction between clergy and laity. The work further discusses rebaptism, anomalies after the Reformation, and the authority of church offices.