I want to be re-baptized

[Brassring]

The Church has declared that your baptism is valid. A conditional baptism would do you no more good than getting hit with a water balloon.

Also, don’t fret that it wasn’t a Catholic that baptized you. Jesus was baptized by a Jew.

It might be helpful to recite the Nicene Creed, paying particular emphasis to the line "…I confess ONE baptism for the forgiveness of sins…"

 

[St_Francis]

The fact that a Baptist did it. The fact that the Church did not do it in the usual form of either pouring, or in the Eastern Church triple immersion.

I am glad that you will discuss this with a priest.

I learned from the Baltimore Catechism that the minister of baptism can be anyone. Even an atheist can baptize! All that is necessary is the intention to do as Christ commanded (so a baptism scene in a movie doesn’t count!), and the correct form (so baptizing in the name of Mother Earth, Offspring, and Spirit of the Universe doesn’t cut it).

 

[PJM]

Hello CAF. I converted to Catholicism a few years ago. I was a Baptist for like 6 months but then I decided that I wanted to become Catholic due to it well… being the first Church! I was baptized in the name of the Trinity by full immersion in the Baptist church. My baptism was accepted valid and I was received. Within the past 2 weeks my conscience has for some reason been doubting it… I think I am in sort of an existential crisis right now… I know the Church accepted my baptism, and for a while so did I but… now I feel so left out. I don’t feel Catholic… I don’t feel like I am really even a Christian at all. Admittedly, this put me to tears. I really truly don’t know why I am feeling this all of a sudden but because I no longer feel my baptism was valid I refuse to partake of the sacraments. The only way I am going to be able to resolve this is if I were to get a conditional baptism. How do I ask the priest for this? Admittedly I feel kind of embarrassed asking, especially since I have known him for a few years now and he has been my confessor. But my conscience right now is killing me. How would I ask my priest for a conditional baptism? (and yes I understand the theology regarding re-baptism in the Church. Re-baptism is impossible, I am not asking for that. I am simply asking for a conditional baptism because my conscience all of a sudden has been doubting the validity of my original baptism).

There are THREE Sacraments that LEAVE an indelible mark, and as a consequence of that FACT, cannot be removed, or validly repeated

Baptism
Confirmation
Holy Orders

Baptism as you described it was a VALID and LICIT Christian Baptism and cannot; NEED-NOT be repeated

In cases where the original Baptism is in doubt; which seems clearly NOT to be your case; a Baptism can CONDITIONALLY be administered. The condition is “that IF the original Baptism was NOT valid and licit” then, AND ONLY then will the effects of the second Baptism ACTUALLY take effect

So with knowledge of the first Baptism BEING Valid; there is no benefit and no need for a second Baptism

John 3: 5 and Mt 28:18-19 ARE precisely clear on this matter.

However as a Catholic you are eligible for the Sacrament of anointing/ the “Last Rites” which like Baptism removes ALL sin and ALL the Temporal punishment due to ALL sins. … As the NORM Sacramental confession is a part of the final pre-death or SERIOUS illness Sacrament. I suggest you discuss the matter with your pastor ASAP.

Welcome Home and GBY

Patrick

 

[HeDa]

Every Easter vigil after the homily our baptism vows are renewed with the questions “Do you believe in God the Father etc” used when baptism are done. Then everyone is sprinkled with holy water. When you where received into the Catholic Church you renewed your baptism promises!

Every time you are sprinkled with holy water during the beginning of mass it is done as a reminder of your baptism.

Every time you bless yourself with holy water when entering a Catholic Church or say “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” it is a reminder of your baptism.

Every single time you make the sign of the cross it is a reminder of your baptism.

 

[Bonnie]

Every Easter vigil after the homily our baptism vows are renewed with the questions “Do you believe in God the Father etc” used when baptism are done. Then everyone is sprinkled with holy water. When you where received into the Catholic Church you renewed your baptism promises!

Every time you are sprinkled with holy water during the beginning of mass it is done as a reminder of your baptism.

Every time you bless yourself with holy water when entering a Catholic Church or say “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” it is a reminder of your baptism.

Every single time you make the sign of the cross it is a reminder of your baptism.

Great reminder - thanks!

 

[Magdalen2013]

I just really want to know if it’s possible I can have a conditional baptism. I am never usually a scrupulous person. I trust in holy mother Church, I do. But I really feel like I need to do this.

I really don’t think so – re-read the Creed:

“I confess ONE Baptism.”

It’s not an E ticket, you don’t get to do it again and again, NOR IS THERE ANY NEED TO DO SO.

You do, however, really need to have a long talk with your priest.

 

[Tomyris]

I really don’t think so – re-read the Creed:

“I confess ONE Baptism.”

It’s not an E ticket, you don’t get to do it again and again, NOR IS THERE ANY NEED TO DO SO.

You do, however, really need to have a long talk with your priest.

I agree.

Let’s say he obliges you and you still feel this way, and want another conditional baptism. I don’t think he would, but I hope you see my point. You have a problem, and you think the solution is rebaptism or conditional baptism. It’s not. Your priest will be able to guide you into what is the correct solution. We, however, can’t.

 

[MusherMaggie]

I just really want to know if it’s possible I can have a conditional baptism. I am never usually a scrupulous person. I trust in holy mother Church, I do. But I really feel like I need to do this.

You are not trusting the Church. What you need to do is make an appointment with your priest, probably for Confession.