If God must do it through a ceremony then it requires human works to merit salvation. It castrates grace.
Another absolutely absurd argument.
Using your "logic" if your minister preaches the word, then it castrates grace since the preacher likely DOES something when he preaches. Jesus would have "castrated grace" by preaching the Sermon on the Mount and washing the disciples feet and healing the man born blind because Jesus DID something.
Your error is not only a absolutely silly point that God is rendered impotent if anyone does anything, but it renounces the "Means of Grace" as Protestants call it , that God can USE words and actions, "tools in the hands of the Carpenter" as it is often put. MUST He? No, God gave faith to John the Baptist when he was still in his mother's womb (Most don't like to tell God what He cannot do; that's a Calvinist and Arminian thing). But does He USUALLY use human words and actions? Yes. Calvinists teach this, too. Often your ABSURD arguments go against Calvinism, too. Where do you get this stuff?
Now, where is the verse that states, "Thou canst NOT administer baptism to any who hath not yet celebrated their Xth birthday (and you won't be told what age that is)." To substantiate the Anti-Paedobaptism dogma of the Anabaptists you echo?
Where is the verse that states, "Thou canst NOT administer baptism to any who hath not proven that they are among the unnamed few for whom Jesus died." To substantiate another dogma of yours.
Where is the verse that states, "Thou canst NOT administer baptism to any unless they hath first given public proof and testimony of their faith in Christ." To substantiate the Credobaptism dogma of the Anabaptists that you echo?
Where is the verse that states, "Thou canst NOT administer baptist to any unless every cell of their body is fully immersed under water." To substantiate another Anabaptist teaching you echo?
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