Converting from Catholic to Baptist

[ArataCPA]

Good Morning all,

I have a question. I am a new baptist and my mother would like to join my church. She was baptized as a Catholic at the age of seven years old, but she was not confirmed. She said the way they baptized her was by pouring water on her head, not full immersion. Does she have to be baptized again in full water immersion to become Baptist? Either way she is converting, we are just curious as to what she has to do exactly.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[rainbowpromises]

I suspect so. Most, if not all, Baptists believe that you should be saved and then baptized. So unless your mother is sure she accepted Christ as her Saviour before age 7, then she should be rebaptized. Many Baptist churches feel that full immersion is the proper way to be baptized.

Being a Baptist is not about converting though. When I changed from United to Baptist it was about moving to a church that fed me spiritually.

 

[jcright]

That was an interesting comment...baptizing to become a baptist. Historically the point of baptizing wasn't to baptize into a denomination. I tend to view Baptism like Marriage. The ceremony really isn't for you or for God (because the commitment has already been made between you and God), the ceremony is for the people so that they know that you made the commitment. Having said that, when you get baptized, it is because you want to show your allegiance to Christ before the congregation.

Because there is such a huge rift between baptist and catholic beliefs (and really, between baptist and other denominations), your mother would be expected to be re-baptized. The same would be true if you went from baptist to Catholic. Without introducing denomination, your church will be looking for two things: 1) to see if she made an outward profession of her faith and 2) did it through full immersion. Why? Because that is the pattern for the ceremony that is revealed in the Bible.

Your church may still want her to get rebaptized even if she did an outward profession of her faith w/ full immersion. I'm not sure I agree with that though, but that's a rabbit trail for another time (or a pm if you are interested in knowing).

I find your comment "baptized into Catholicism/Baptist" interesting because I see why someone would think that is true. It seems like you are baptizing into a denomination, but that really isn't the point, the point is to show your commitment to Christ.

 

[Ave Maria]

Remember that baptism is just a symbolism of our dying and being resurrected in Christ. But yes, she probably does need to be baptized by immersion.

 

[ArataCPA]

Thank you both for your comments. I emailed my pastor the same question, and I would like to share what he said. He said that when she joined on Sunday, he would ask her if she had been baptized. The answer would be yes, but he would prefer for her to be fully immersed, but he said that people have joined the Baptist church from other denominations (like AME) that sprinkle, and they did not go on to get a full immersion.

Judging from your comments and from what my pastor said, I think I would like for her to do it over again, but it would be her choice.

We will see this Sunday, I will pass on your comments to her as well as my pastor's and see what she decides.

By the way, "converting" was probably the wrong word for me to use. She has been attending my church for a while now, and she loves it there and loves how the Word is presented there. So I don't want anyone to think I am saying that Catholic is wrong, or Baptist is right, or vice-versa, she just gets more from the service at our local Baptist church, its just the details of becoming an official member that can become confusing.

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[mont974x4]

I attend a small Souther Baptist Church and it wouldn't be an issue. Since Baptist churches are really rather independent it would be best to ask someone in leadership at the specific church. I would guess that it wouldn't be an issue, if at all, unless she wanted to be an official member.

For the most part, it's between her and God. If she feels convicted about it then I would suggest she do it.

 

[rainbowpromises]

I tend to view Baptism like Marriage. The ceremony really isn't for you or for God (because the commitment has already been made between you and God), the ceremony is for the people so that they know that you made the commitment.

That is what I told my husband when he dug in his heals about attending our adult children's baptisms.

 

[IisJustMe]

That was an interesting comment...baptizing to become a baptist. Historically the point of baptizing wasn't to baptize into a denomination.

It is done as a public testimony of what God has done in your heart. We don't baptize them to make the Baptist. We baptize them to give them their first opportunity to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

I tend to view Baptism like Marriage. The ceremony really isn't for you or for God (because the commitment has already been made between you and God), the ceremony is for the people so that they know that you made the commitment.

... like I said.

Because there is such a huge rift between baptist and catholic beliefs (and really, between baptist and other denominations) ...

Really? What would those be? I understand the "rift" comment as it applies to the Catholic church and most Baptists. It's my experience that most evangelical denominations line up quite well with most Baptist denominations. You have different insight?

 

[Tulip]

That was an interesting comment...baptizing to become a baptist. Historically the point of baptizing wasn't to baptize into a denomination. I tend to view Baptism like Marriage. The ceremony really isn't for you or for God (because the commitment has already been made between you and God), the ceremony is for the people so that they know that you made the commitment. Having said that, when you get baptized, it is because you want to show your allegiance to Christ before the congregation.

Because there is such a huge rift between baptist and catholic beliefs (and really, between baptist and other denominations), your mother would be expected to be re-baptized. The same would be true if you went from baptist to Catholic. Without introducing denomination, your church will be looking for two things: 1) to see if she made an outward profession of her faith and 2) did it through full immersion. Why? Because that is the pattern for the ceremony that is revealed in the Bible.

Your church may still want her to get rebaptized even if she did an outward profession of her faith w/ full immersion. I'm not sure I agree with that though, but that's a rabbit trail for another time (or a pm if you are interested in knowing).

I find your comment "baptized into Catholicism/Baptist" interesting because I see why someone would think that is true. It seems like you are baptizing into a denomination, but that really isn't the point, the point is to show your commitment to Christ.

Just a short comment to the above bolded statement. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms made in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So a baptist baptism would be recognized and the person doesn`t have to be rebaptized in order to join the Catholic Church.

 

[IisJustMe]

The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms made in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So a baptist baptism would be recognized and the person doesn`t have to be rebaptized in order to join the Catholic Church.

But we'll see how long that lasts, given Pope Benedict's recent doctrinal statement regarding the RCC being the "one and true faith" and that other denominations cannot promise salvation. My guess: Not long.

 

[Jerrell]

Good Morning all,

I have a question. I am a new baptist and my mother would like to join my church. She was baptized as a Catholic at the age of seven years old, but she was not confirmed. She said the way they baptized her was by pouring water on her head, not full immersion. Does she have to be baptized again in full water immersion to become Baptist? Either way she is converting, we are just curious as to what she has to do exactly.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

You must ask the Pastor that question yourself. Every Church differs in it's view of being baptized as a member and salvation, among other things. To get a good answer you need to adress the Church which she will be attending. Ask a Deacon, and he will probably answer you or refer you to the Pastor.

 

[jcright]

Really? What would those be? I understand the "rift" comment as it applies to the Catholic church and most Baptists. It's my experience that most evangelical denominations line up quite well with most Baptist denominations. You have different insight?

Before I answer that, I think it should be clarified that the "rift" is something that is perceived and therefore an opinion. Although I think the protestant denominations are closer to the Baptist than the Catholics, I still see a rift. Then again, the rift between baptists and catholics don't seem as big when you compare it to baptists and muslims or scientology, etc. That, of course, is my opinion. How wide you think that rift is, is of course, your opinion. However, since there are differences (despite how major or minor you feel those differences are), there is a rift (again, depends on how major or minor you feel the differences are). Anyhow, I equate differences as rifts. If that weren't the case, then we wouldn't have the need for denominations nor would we have the need to say that we are (insert your denomination here), instead we would say that we are Christian. I realize that denominations can and do get along. However, that doesn't resolve the fact that there is a rift, it just means that we are willing to ignore the differences.

Having said all that, yes, I have hold a different opinion than you as to the size of the rift between baptists and other denominations.

Just a short comment to the above bolded statement. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms made in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So a baptist baptism would be recognized and the person doesn`t have to be rebaptized in order to join the Catholic Church.

Not being Catholic, raised or otherwise, I realize that you won't think that I have much of a foundation to stand on, but I would beg to differ just the same. Perhaps it is a SE Michigan thing, but it has always been my understanding (albeit with the Catholics I talk with) that a protestant going into the Catholic church would have to jump through the same type of hoops as a Catholic going into a Baptist church. Which is what one would expect considering how the Catholic Church views the protestant churches. However, since I'm not a Catholic, raised or otherwise, I'm more than willing to consider that what you say is true. If that is the case, then I can't help but to think that there is a serious inconsistency in what the Catholic church teaches. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss it more, I'd rather not hijack this thread anymore than it has been.

 

[Sweet Pea]

Baptism shows what happens to a person, when they give their life to Christ. Baptism means a person dies to self, new person in Christ. An infant can't intelligently decide that. Scripture doesn't say be baptize and then believe but believe and then be baptized. A person being baptized needs to understand what baptism is and why a person should be baptized and a infant can't.
I'm sure it's scary for an older person to be baptized but it's the 1st commandment for person after they have accepted Jesus as their Savior & Lord. I know of a few who did that and was glad they did.

 

[IisJustMe]

No offense, but I don't think I've ever see so overly qualified a statement -- by that, I mean a statement engineered not to offend -- that doesn't say anything in the end. I think I asked (though my head is still spinning from the parenthetical exceptions and overexplanations in this post) for a listing of what those "rifts" are. In the end, this ...

I have hold a different opinion than you as to the size of the rift between baptists and other denominations.

... is the only applicable sentence to my query. Perhaps next time, we could stick to the point without the unnecessary overqualification of opinion?

 

[jcright]

No offense, but I don't think I've ever see so overly qualified a statement -- by that, I mean a statement engineered not to offend -- that doesn't say anything in the end. I think I asked (though my head is still spinning from the parenthetical exceptions and overexplanations in this post) for a listing of what those "rifts" are. In the end, this ... ... is the only applicable sentence to my query. Perhaps next time, we could stick to the point without the unnecessary overqualification of opinion?

Wow! In one fell swoop you attack my writings/method of thinking along with my opinions. You've rendered my comments as worthless and unappreciated and you expect me not to take offense? You couldn't be content that we disagreed? Real nice.

If you want a listing (which is really going off the original topic), ask me in a pm. What purpose would it serve to list them out here...except perhaps to get me warned? What would be the point of giving you such a list anyway? Are you looking to argue with me over how strong of an importance some items hold over another? I get the fact that you disagree with me, but please take it to pm, we can battle it out there instead of continuing to hijacking this thread.

As for sticking to the point, re-read your post. You asked two questions. I intentionally ignored the question about the list but answered your question about having different insight...therefore, I did stick stick to the point. Again, if it is so important that you have a list so that can prove yourself right, then ask me in a pm. We've already hijacked this thread enough.

 

[IisJustMe]

Wow! In one fell swoop you attack my writings/method of thinking along with my opinions.

You didn't express an opinion in the post in question, with the one exception noted, and it was a generality that was the equivilent to answering a simple "yes" or "no" with no explanation. It's difficult to understand how you can claim I've attacked anything of yours in light of the equivocation in your post. I asked a simple question. You wrote a length and equiocal "no reply." I'm not going to attack anyone here. Wordiness for wordiness' sake, without actually saying anything, is non-participation, in my opinion. If that is an "attack" then I apologize.

 

[DaughterofEve]

 

[JimmyV]

There is no need for your mom to be rebaptised (in fact, there is no such thing). Baptism is a Sacrament that removes original sin. This already happened with your mom.

 

[Sweet Pea]

There is no need for your mom to be rebaptised (in fact, there is no such thing). Baptism is a Sacrament that removes original sin. This already happened with your mom.

This is the Baptist forum.
Sorry but that's not what the Baptists believes the Bible teaches. Baptism does NOT remove sin but it shows what happens when a person gives their life to Christ.
If Baptism removed sin then we would have a part in that and that's *works.*
Jesus died to pay the full penality for our sins, nothing we can do to remove our sins.

The jailer asked Paul & Silas in Acts 16 *how can I be saved?* and they replied "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved --you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

He accepted Christ first and THEN he was baptized to show what happened when he gave his life to Christ.

Confessed with my mouth the Lord Jesus and in my heart believed that God raised Him from the dead" (Rom. 10:9). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house", Acts 16:31.

 

[JimmyV]

Yes, this is a Baptist forum. However, the young lady's mom is converting from the Catholic Church and should understand what she is leaving. Without an understanding of what a person is leaving, one may not be ready to embrace the Baptist faith. I think the young lady should ask her mom to take six months to one year studying the teachings of both the Catholic Church and Baptist before making a final decision.