Nazarene baptism (valid?)

[HopeinGod]

I was in a Nazarene church when baptized as a kid. The intention of the baptism was not for salvation or justification but was intended as an “indentification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection” only AFTER already becoming a Christian by asking God to forgive me of my sins.

It took place in a river. I don’t know that it was holy water. I was immersed once, not three times. I truly do not know if this was valid, as the Catechism outlines it as being three times (whether immersion or sprinkles) and holy water. There was no exorcism either. Please let me know. Thank you! I am seriously looking at moving toward joining the Catholic Church.

 

[cameron_lansing]

I was in a Nazarene church when baptized as a kid. The intention of the baptism was not for salvation or justification but was intended as an “indentification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection” only AFTER already becoming a Christian by asking God to forgive me of my sins.

It took place in a river. I don’t know that it was holy water. I was immersed once, not three times. I truly do not know if this was valid, as the Catechism outlines it as being three times (whether immersion or sprinkles) and holy water. There was no exorcism either. Please let me know. Thank you! I am seriously looking at moving toward joining the Catholic Church.

As long as the trinitarian formula and true water (which we can safely attribute to a river) were used and by the same minister or person conferring the baptism, baptism is considered valid.

On the basis of experience in a tribunal and according to the standard canonical literature, the baptism of the Nazarenes is considered valid.

The use of holy water, triple immersion, and exorcism are not required for the valid administration of the sacrament.

Should there be any positive doubt about validity that is raised in the mind of the priest with whom you should discuss this, baptism would be conditionally conferred if you proceed to seeking initiation into the Catholic Church.

God bless you in your discernment, and may you indeed be led to the Catholic Church.

 

[Letchitsa1]

I was baptized in a river - immersed only once - with the trinitarian formula used, and when I became Catholic, it was recognized as a valid baptism. If they used the trinitarian formula at your baptism, which they likely did, then it should be a valid baptism.

 

[HopeinGod]

Thank you for these quick responses! I do have a strong sense that I belonged to God since childhood. I didn’t know if I could look upon that as invalid since God has undeniably been active on my behalf. But I would submit to the Church’s determination. I am just thankful that God is calling me in this direction.

Thank you again.

 

[SHAKA_MAKA1]

Do you know what exact words were used?

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello and welcome home!
In your initial interview or shortly after you begin the process of coming into full communion with the Catholic church the pastor, or his delegate, will ask you for all the particulars of your baptism. your bishop has a list of denominations in his diocese that have valid baptism. If you were baptized elsewhere, your pastor will consult the bishop in that area, as some smaller sects differ in their practice. Try to gather all the information you can, including recollection of relatives who were present. the immersion in the river is fine, key is the words used, which must include “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

[HopeinGod]

Once I waded through the river to meet the pastor standing out there in the river, he introduced me to the onlookers, many of whom were members of the church I had grown up in. I was 12yrs old. He asked me why I wanted to get baptized and I answered, “because I love Jesus.” He chuckled and said, “Praise be to God” and dunked me. Grandma had prepared me for the event, explaining the trinitarian formula, so I know the pastor absolutely did say “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. This stood out to me because at around that time I had a friend who was trying to make me speak in tongues and I couldn’t. She felt sorry for me because I couldn’t, and she attributed my inability to be due to the fact that my baptism wasn’t in the name of Jesus only. That was the teaching she had received. I remember all the emphasis on which words were used, and thinking, what difference does it make? But I was glad for the distinction just because I wanted to stop trying to speak in tongues to please my friend.