Coming into the Church and knowing if your baptism is valid

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CurtisHouse

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Hello,

I have been learning about the Church, off and on, for years now. I would have came home sooner this past year but it just wasn’t the right time and already missed a lot of RCIA.

My question is about water baptism though. I used to attend a church of Christ. That was the church that I was baptized in for the remission of my sins (full immersion) back in 2004. Pretty sure it was in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not 100% sure though. There is only one water baptism though. When the time comes, should I state that my baptism was valid and start trying to remember grievous sins for the past 15 years when my first confession comes around in 2020(that’s a huge undertaking in itself) or get re-baptized? Just thoughts going through my head. I just want to be right with God completely or should I be taking this up with a Priest in my area? Thanks in advance and God bless you all. I would also love to hear about any other newcomers that will begin going to RCIA in the near future as well.

Curtis
 
When the time comes, just say this.
CurtisHouse said:
I used to attend a church of Christ. That was the church that I was baptized in for the remission of my sins (full immersion) back in 2004. Pretty sure it was in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not 100% sure though.
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It will be looked into if need be.

God bless and welcome home!
 
UpUpandAway is correct.
The priests have a list of the churches that have valid baptisms and churches that do not. The priest will figure it out, asking you follow-up questions if need be.
You yourself do not have to try to figure it out, just tell the priest the facts and let him decide whether you need to be re-baptized.

Welcome home!
 
This is an issue you should raise with a priest. I know the Church has lists of non-Catholic ecclesial communities that have valid baptism, e.g. The Episcopal Church, have invalid baptisms, e.g. Seventh Day Adventists, or do not practise baptism, e.g. The Society of Friends (commonly called the Quakers).

If necessary investigations can be made into the validity of your baptism. If it is found to be valid you are baptised. If it turns out to be invalid you will have to be baptised. If an investigation does not produce a clear-cut answer you would probably receive conditional baptism. Speak to a priest because that is what you need to do.

Welcome home!
 
Most churches of Christ (though I can’t say all) practice trinitarian baptism, but as others have said, your pastor will make the determination.
 
Which Church of Christ? Independent, Disciples of Christ? Non-piano?
 
I would ask your priest. He will know if it is valid or not. Welcome home!
 
Just the regular church of Christ. Non-instrumental, sola scriptura. I guess you would say traditional. The ones that are in denial about calling themselves a denomination. I could go on but I think you get the picture.
 
I used to be in one of those myself. Please let me know if I can lend any support your way. 😁
 
Thank you. The funny thing is that there are a lot of similarities between the Catholic Church and the church of Christ when it comes to doctrine. If their basis for doctrine wasn’t built on a faulty premise in sola scriptura, they might have got many other things right as well. I could see why a lot of the cofc become Catholic. Look at LizzieAnswers on YouTube.
 
Call the office and set up an appt to talk tp the priest. Tell the priest your doubts and he will advise you. Just follow his directions. On the small chance, he makes the wrong decision, you’ll just be baptized by desire. God only expects what we can do. He’s not looking to catch anyone in a mistake.

The priest may recommend a conditional baptism which would be a baptism in case you weren’t baptized. But rebaptism isn’t literally possible since a baptism is a one time permanent mark on your soul.

Just follow your priests directions. He’s the expert. It’s literally his job. Lol

My first confession covered over 20 years. I got paper and wrote things down as they popped into my head in the months leading up to my first confession. It took an hour and a half! Haha. So schedule accordingly. I will say it was amazing. I lived a literal life of crime before coming to the church. I was all ready to have to go to prison after confession (or more like terrified, not ready). Having an actual human being hear all my sins and respond with charity was so powerful I can’t describe.

Then the Eucharist!
It’ll be worth it!
 
If the priest has any doubt, he will simply do what they did when my grandmother converted.

He gave a conditional baptism just in case 🙂
 
I’m a convert from the CoC, myself. You are correct about the similarities in doctrine. God bless you on your journey and my I extend an early, “Welcome home”!
 
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