Baptism by Desire for Southern Baptists

[joetlee99]

Hello my Catholic friends and brothers in Christ,

I was born in the southern baptist tradition and am still apart of that denomination. I struggle with their views on baptism though, considering that the majority of Christians concur that physical baptism is necessary of salvation. I first want to point out that I want to be baptized and have faith in Christ and accept the teachings of the faith. I have not been baptised, but desire to be baptised. As of right now, have I received full salvation based on the “baptism of desire” creed which I have read extends to those who die before they are baptised and those who have been martyred. Basically, my question is, would baptism by desire also extend to me want of being baptised and other southern baptists who haven’t been baptised, but do plan on being baptised one day?
Thank you

 

[njlisa]

I was baptized in the Southern Baptist Church at around age 10. Thirty-one years ago, I began the process of being received into the Catholic Church. My baptism was considered valid.

 

[adf417]

Hello joelee99. Welcome to CAF!

As of right now, have I received full salvation based on the “baptism of desire” creed which I have read extends to those who die before they are baptised and those who have been martyred.

Questions remain-

If you desire this baptism why have you not received baptism? Your “desire” is sufficient by itself assuming impediments preventing your actual baptism. If there are no impediments then your “desire” may be subjective.

If you do become baptized in the Baptist church at anytime it is as sufficient as being baptized in the Catholic church. Both baptisms are equally salvific - in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

Peace!!!

 

[Todd_Easton]

Basically, my question is, would baptism by desire also extend to me want of being baptised and other southern baptists who haven’t been baptised, but do plan on being baptised one day?

It depends on your motivation for desiring baptism. If your desire for baptism is motivated by love of God, then, yes, you and similarly-motivated, unbaptized Southern Baptists have received baptism by desire. However, if your desire for baptism is not motivated by love of God, then, no, you and similarly-motivated, unbaptized Southern Baptists have not received baptism by desire. St Thomas Aquinas said, “In like manner a man receives the effect of Baptism by the power of the Holy Ghost, not only without Baptism of Water, but also without Baptism of Blood: forasmuch as his heart is moved by the Holy Ghost to believe in and love God and to repent of his sins: wherefore this is also called Baptism of Repentance.” (Summa Theologiae, Part 3, Question 66, Article 11)

 

[Anesti33]

As of now, assuming you are alive, no, you have not achieved salvation. Baptism of desire is something that occurs at the moment of death only. If someone were a catechumen in RCIA, for example, they would be buried as a member of the Church, and they would benefit from baptism of desire because of their manifest longing for the sacraments of initiation.

Baptism of desire is for people who sincerely wish to be baptized, but cannot for grave reasons. If there is an opportunity for baptism, for example your SBC ecclesial community offers it one Sunday, then you are obliged to undertake it sooner rather than later. Even better, you should contact the nearest Catholic Church and enroll in RCIA classes so that you may formally enter the Order of Catechumens.

 

[njlisa]

Welcome, @joetlee99!

I was raised as a Southern baptist. In my experience, a Southern Baptist who is unbaptized is just about rare as an Orthodox Jewish person who eats non-kosher food.

Here’s what I learned.

As the name Baptist suggests, baptism by immersion is an ordinance (command given by Jesus). When I was active in SBC, full-immersion baptism was not an option. When you are old enough to understand salvation and church teachings, you are expected to be baptized.

In fact, the minister begins with the words “in obedience to our Lord’s command.”

I hope that helps.