Nicene Creed: Why "Confess" a Baptism?

[David2010]

Here’s a question I have been wondering about for a while:

In the Nicene Creed, why do we confess one baptism?

To me, confessing something implies having done something wrong. However, having been baptized isn’t something wrong, is it?

Is being baptized more than once wrong?

 

[1ke]

In the Nicene Creed, why do we confess one baptism?

to confess:
to acknowledge belief or faith in
to declare as true

To me, confessing something implies having done something wrong. However, having been baptized isn’t something wrong, is it?

It does not mean that kind of confess.

Confess has more than one meaning.

Is being baptized more than once wrong?

Well, firstly, it is not possible to be baptized more than once.

What this is referring to, however, is the early Church heresy regarding baptism in schismatic or heretical groups, or the “re-baptism” of those who defected or denied the faith and then returned.

The Church delcared that there is only ONE baptism for the remission of sins. It cannot be repeated, and schismatics and heretics can validly baptize. Therefore, no one who has been validly baptized is “re” baptized when they are received into the Church.

That is why we do not baptize those who have already been baptized in Protestant denominations.

This was such a serious controversy in the early Church, that the Fathers believed it necessary to add this to the Creed to ensure right belief on this topic.

Therefore, we declare (confess) this teaching when we say the Creed.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Back when people spoke perhaps a little more formally on occasion, a young man might say to a girl’s father: "I have to confess (i.e., declare, admit, state as true) that I’m in love with your daughter." That’s the sense in which the word is used in the Creed.

 

[Rainaldo]

Here’s a question I have been wondering about for a while:

In the Nicene Creed, why do we confess one baptism?

To me, confessing something implies having done something wrong. However, having been baptized isn’t something wrong, is it?

Is being baptized more than once wrong?

“Confess” is not the only word with a slightly different meaning in a religious context.

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” - you mean the roof of my mouth?

“Profession of Faith” - you mean like a professional?

“And we look for the resurrection of the dead” (old wording) - Where’s the best place to start looking for it?

“I am heartily sorry for having offended thee” - I’ve had a hearty meal before, but how is sorry hearty?

 

[ProVobis]

*Confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum *- to confess, admit, acknowledge

*Confiteor Deo omnipotenti *- I confess to Almighty God

*Confiteor unum baptisma *- I confess one baptism (was “acknowledge” in the old translation)

Interestingly enough, it’s also used in Psalm 42 of the EF.

Confitebor tibi in cithara but translated in the old missal as “I will praise you on harp” although “I will acknowledge you on harp” would make sense as well.