Ordinarily, only a pastor is given by God to baptize.  For the pastoral office is the office through which our Lord preaches and administers the Sacraments.  However, there may be an occasion when an unbaptized infant or adult is near death and a pastor cannot be reached to perform the baptism.  In such an emergency circumstance a Christian layperson may temporarily step into the office of the ministry for the sake of the neighbor in need and perform a baptism.

 How this is done is described on p. 312 in the front of our hymnal Lutheran Worship.  It is a very simple rite.  "Take water, pour or sprinkle the water on the head of the child, saying:
‘             Name           , I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'"  Water must be used together with the Name of God for a baptism to be a true baptism.

 The rite in our hymnal goes on to say, "If time permits, the Baptism may be preceded by the following prayer and the Lord's Prayer.  ‘Eternal, merciful Father, we pray you, extend your goodness and mercy to this child that   he/she   may enjoy the everlasting blessings of your heavenly washing and may come to the eternal kingdom which you have prepared through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.'"

 Finally, the rite of emergency baptism gives these directions: "Baptism administered by a layperson shall immediately be reported to the pastor for its recognition in the congregation."