Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 1245
Tertullian on who has the right to baptise. Tertullian, "On the Baptism", Carthage (North Africa), AD 200/206.
Chapter 17
 
1. Superest ad concludendam materiolam de obseruatione quoque dandi et accipiendi baptismi commone facere. Dandi quidem summum habet ius summus sacerdos, si qui est, episcopus; dehinc presbyteri et diaconi, non tamen sine episcopi auctoritate, propter ecclesiae honorem quo saluo salua pax est.
2. Alioquin etiam laicis ius est: quod enim ex aequo accipitur ex aequo dari potest - nisi <si> episcopi iam aut presbyteri aut diaconi uocabantur discentes domini! - id est ut sermo non debet abscondi ab ullo, proinde et baptismum, aeque dei census, ab omnibus exerceri potest. [...]
 
(ed. Borleffs 1954: 291)
Chapter 17
 
1. To round off our slight treatment of this subject it remains for me to advise you of the rules to be observed in giving and receiving baptism. The supreme right of giving it belongs to the high priest, which is the bishop : after him, to the presbyters and deacons, yet not without commission from the bishop, on account of the Church's dignity: for when this is safe, peace is safe.
2. Except for that, even laymen have the right: 'for that which is received on equal terms can be given on equal terms : unless perhaps you are prepared to allege that our Lord's disciples were already bishops or presbyters or deacons: that is, as the word ought not to be hidden by any man, so likewise baptism, which is no less declared to be "of God", can be administered by all.'  
 

About the source:

Author: Tertullian
Title: On the Baptism, De baptismo
Origin: Carthage (Latin North Africa)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Tertullian was born and active in Carthage (North Africa). He was most probably trained as a lawyer. He converted to Christianity before AD 197. His rigorist views drew him towards the Montanists (before AD 207), and eventually he distanced himself even from them, creating a party of his own. He died after AD 220. He may have been a presbyter [402]. He left many writings, both from the Catholic and Montanist period.
“On Baptism” was written in the Catholic period. It is directed against the group of Cainites, and deals with the necessity and effects of baptism, including the invalidity of baptism administered by heretics.
Edition:
J.G.Ph. Borleffs ed., Q.S.Fl. Tertulliani De baptismo, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 1, Turnhout 1954, 275-295.
 

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
    Ritual activity - Baptism and instructing catechumens
      Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
        Equal prerogatives of presbyters and bishops
          Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1245, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1245