Baptism question

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Somebody asked me a Baptism question I’ve never thought of.

A Catholic who has a member of his family who has not been Baptized in any faith, but who attends church with him, remains fully resistant to being baptized or otherwise converting. It’s an interesting situation, but apparently that person feels comfortable attending Mass but that’s all the more comfortable they are.

Anyhow, the questioner has tried and failed to encourage the person to consider getting Baptized. He relates that his family member is friends with a Protestant (Assemblies of God?) minister who does an annual rural full immersion baptism, and that this family member would likely consent to that as she likes that fellow personally.

So, here’s the question, from a Catholic prospective is it better to encourage a baptism by a non Catholic minister, assuming an Assemblies of God baptism is valid, and hope for God to open up the person’s heart later, or not? My friend is worried that this person will end up dying non baptized.
 
You’ve asked a yes/no question, and I could understand each of these points of view.

I personally would not encourage a non-Catholic baptism. The Church recognizes baptism if it is performed even once by a non-Catholic, if the trinitarian form of baptism is used, as I understand it.

But, a person who is so inclined has a mind and soul of their own, and he/she is responsible for themselves.

I don’t think (I could be wrong) that such baptism makes them a Catholic. It goes back to the earliest days of the Church, that people have to be properly indoctrinated in the faith they are about to undertake.

If you have any influence over this person, the important point to emphasize is the commitment to reform our lives and live as Christians, that true baptism in Christ entails.
 
Yeoman said:
So, here’s the question, from a Catholic prospective is it better to encourage a baptism by a non Catholic minister, assuming an Assemblies of God baptism is valid, and hope for God to open up the person’s heart later, or not? My friend is worried that this person will end up dying non baptized.
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Baptism isn’t magic.

The person being baptized is making a commitment. It sounds like they are not ready to make that commitment in any Christian denomination.

I wouldn’t encourage them to be baptized in any denomination that they were unwilling to fully embrace and commit to.
 
1ke said:
Baptism isn’t magic.

The person being baptized is making a commitment. It sounds like they are not ready to make that commitment in any Christian denomination.

I wouldn’t encourage them to be baptized in any denomination that they were unwilling to fully embrace and commit to.
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👍 May God bless you all! 🙂
 
Yeoman said:
Somebody asked me a Baptism question I’ve never thought of.

A Catholic who has a member of his family who has not been Baptized in any faith, but who attends church with him, remains fully resistant to being baptized or otherwise converting. It’s an interesting situation, but apparently that person feels comfortable attending Mass but that’s all the more comfortable they are.

Anyhow, the questioner has tried and failed to encourage the person to consider getting Baptized. He relates that his family member is friends with a Protestant (Assemblies of God?) minister who does an annual rural full immersion baptism, and that this family member would likely consent to that as she likes that fellow personally.

So, here’s the question, from a Catholic prospective is it better to encourage a baptism by a non Catholic minister, assuming an Assemblies of God baptism is valid, and hope for God to open up the person’s heart later, or not? My friend is worried that this person will end up dying non baptized.
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this person does not understand baptism based on what you described

it should be their own free choice to become a child of God and repent of their sins and receive God’s grace.

not because their friend told them to do it, not because they like the priest/pastor/protestant minister.

has your friends explained the mass? or baptism? or catholic beliefs? have they had a conversation on why this person likes to go to mass?

just offer your prayers and let the holy spirit work. everything in due time
 
Yeoman said:
So, here’s the question, from a Catholic prospective is it better to encourage a baptism by a non Catholic minister, assuming an Assemblies of God baptism is valid, and hope for God to open up the person’s heart later, or not? My friend is worried that this person will end up dying non baptized.
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People find their way to God through many different routes. I think I’m correct in saying that AOG baptisms are considered valid but that aside, dying unbaptised does not in itself affect a person’s salvation.
 
Yeoman said:
Somebody asked me a Baptism question I’ve never thought of.

A Catholic who has a member of his family who has not been Baptized in any faith, but who attends church with him, remains fully resistant to being baptized or otherwise converting. It’s an interesting situation, but apparently that person feels comfortable attending Mass but that’s all the more comfortable they are.

Anyhow, the questioner has tried and failed to encourage the person to consider getting Baptized. He relates that his family member is friends with a Protestant (Assemblies of God?) minister who does an annual rural full immersion baptism, and that this family member would likely consent to that as she likes that fellow personally.

So, here’s the question, from a Catholic prospective is it better to encourage a baptism by a non Catholic minister, assuming an Assemblies of God baptism is valid, and hope for God to open up the person’s heart later, or not? My friend is worried that this person will end up dying non baptized.
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This person is clearly not ready yet. I would advise your friend to keep praying for them and to encourage them to keep attending Mass. Encourage them to read about the Catholic Church and maybe to check out RCIA…there’s no obligation to continue, it’s for those curious about the Faith.

If your friend tries to push them, they might leave. I would ask their friend to pray and discern. God will lead them.
 
InThePew said:
People find their way to God through many different routes. I think I’m correct in saying that AOG baptisms are considered valid but that aside, dying unbaptised does not in itself affect a person’s salvation.
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“The Lord himself affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation [John 3:5]. . . . Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament [Mark 16:16]” (CCC 1257).
 
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