Questionable Baptism?

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Hello, let me give you the details.
I was 6 or 7, I forgot, when I was baptized in the Baptist Church. It was done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But this doubt always lingers around me. What if, just what if…a long way back. A person who baptized one person, was not validly done. But that person forgot how he was baptized, learned the truth, and baptized people, invalidly(But in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), since he, himself was not baptized validly.

What if that person who did baptize me, was invalid. What if I am not really baptized.

Does this baptismal still count?
 
True to their name, one thing that Baptists do right is Baptism. When I was in RCIA, the priest went around the room asking about our Baptismal status, trying to figure out who had valid Baptism. When someone said he was formerly Baptist, the priest said, “oh, you’re fine” and went to the next person.

Baptism is absolutely valid if it uses water, the proper (Trinitarian) form, and the minister at least has the intent to do what the Church does in Baptism (even if the minister doesn’t understand it). It doesn’t matter if the minister was himself Baptized - ANYONE can administer valid Baptism (a Jew or Muslim, or even an atheist could do it if).

The *ordinary *minister of the Sacrament of Baptism is a Bishop, priest, or deacon. But anyone can be an *extraordinary *(ie, not ordinary) minister of this Sacrament.

FWIW, this question was one of the earliest controversies the Church faced. Various heretics had gathered followers around themselves, and some of these were Baptized by these heretics. Later, these people sought to become Catholic. Was their Baptism valid?

Some asked, “how can someone give what he has not himself received?” It’s a reasonable question. But the gift of Baptism (the Holy Spirit) does not come from the minister - it comes from God. The Church teaches that these Baptisms are valid, and indeed established that *anyone *could validly administer Baptism.
 
DavidFilmer is right on the money. Anyone can validly baptize.
 
JD27076 said:
Hello, let me give you the details.
I was 6 or 7, I forgot, when I was baptized in the Baptist Church. It was done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But this doubt always lingers around me. What if, just what if…a long way back. A person who baptized one person, was not validly done. But that person forgot how he was baptized, learned the truth, and baptized people, invalidly(But in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), since he, himself was not baptized validly.

What if that person who did baptize me, was invalid. What if I am not really baptized.

Does this baptismal still count?
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Don’t worry. Anyone can baptize validly as long as they invoke the Trinity.
 
AlltheRoses said:
Don’t worry. Anyone can baptize validly as long as they invoke the Trinity.
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Such is not all that is needed…for example Mormons use that form but do not baptize validly.

As to the OP – discuss your particular situation with the Priest involved.
 
Bookcat said:
Such is not all that is needed…for example Mormons use that form but do not baptize validly.

As to the OP – discuss your particular situation with the Priest involved.
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Could you explain what else is needed for a valid baptism, then?

By the way, I’m not arguing with you. I’m just curious, because I never knew there was another requirement (besides the Trinitarian form). :blush:My CCD teachers always made it sound like that was the only one.

Blessings and sorry if this is off-topic.
 
AlltheRoses said:
Could you explain what else is needed for a valid baptism, then?

By the way, I’m not arguing with you. I’m just curious, because I never knew there was another requirement (besides the Trinitarian form). :blush:My CCD teachers always made it sound like that was the only one.

Blessings and sorry if this is off-topic.
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Water 🙂 …(and of course the actual baptizing)

And the intent to do what the Church does.

(PS Mormons are not Christian…the baptism they are doing is not Christian baptism)
 
Yet Muslims and atheists can baptize validly…as if an atheist or Muslim would have the intent the church has?

An atheist could recite the words required and sprinkle with water and have no belief whatsoever in God…so could not really intend anything the church intends since no belief in what the church intends exists…yet a Mormon, who uses the correct words and water…can’t validly baptize…makes my head spin to get my mind around that one:shrug:

Same with a Muslim…no belief whatsoever concerning the Trinity…but THEY can validly baptize…but a Mormon who does believe in the Trinity…though very very imperfectly…can’t?
 
Publisher said:
Yet Muslims and atheists can baptize validly…as if an atheist or Muslim would have the intent the church has?

An atheist could recite the words required and sprinkle with water and have no belief whatsoever in God…so could not really intend anything the church intends since no belief in what the church intends exists…yet a Mormon, who uses the correct words and water…can’t validly baptize…makes my head spin to get my mind around that one:shrug:
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A Muslim or Atheist who say baptizes someone who is dying who wants to die a Christian --does so with the intent to “do what the Church does”.

A Mormon who Baptizes a person in order to make them a Mormon is not doing what the Church intends…he intends to make them a Mormon (which is not a Christian community).

Now could a Mormon baptize someone say who is dying an say wanted to be baptized a Catholic…and baptize them intending to do what the Church does. Yes.
 
Bookcat said:
A Muslim or Atheist who say baptizes someone who is dying who wants to die a Christian --does so with the intent to “do what the Church does”.

A Mormon who Baptizes a person in order to make them a Mormon is not doing what the Church intends…he intends to make them a Mormon (which is not a Christian community).
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You actually believe that a Muslim or atheist “intends” to do what the church does…when they have no belief whatsoever in what the church believes? As I said…I’m having a difficult time getting my mind around that. Not trying to be difficult…just having a difficult time understanding how a Muslim or atheist has no belief whatsoever in the Trinity can “intend” to be faithful to the “intent” of the church…just having a hard time with the “logic” I guess.🤷
 
Publisher said:
You actually believe that a Muslim or atheist “intends” to do what the church does…
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Yes. If his will is to do so…yes.

Please Henry…I want to die a Christian…

“Ok ok…give me the water and tell me what to do”…

Belief need not be there.

This was decided in the very early centuries.
 
If I go baptize Sam and say “I Baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and intend by these words that Sam is now a member of my group where we see The Father as the Chief Alien from XENO and the Son is as his son and the Holy Spirit as the Force by which their star-ship moves through the cosmos…

well I have not intended Christian Baptism.

I know this is way out there…but I exaggerate to make the point.
 
Bookcat said:
If I go baptize Sam and say “I Baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and intend by these words that Sam is now a member of my group where we see The Father as the Chief Alien from XENO and the Son is as his son and the Holy Spirit as the Force by which their star-ship moves through the cosmos…

well I have not intended Christian Baptism.

I know this is way out there…but I exaggerate to make the point.
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How would anyone know that you “intend” such? So how can one know that the Muslim or atheist “intends” something as strange since neither have any belief whatsoever in the Trinity nor understand what the church “intends” by the proper words being spoken?

I have performed water baptisms…even though I have never undergone the ritual…unless one wishes to claim that when I was pushed in a swimming pool by a Baptist friend who kept telling me I needed to be baptized and recited the words required means I’m really “baptized”…but I have baptised others who have requested it while making hosptial calls…and I baptized my mom before she died at her request…hard to refuse…but I had no belief whasoever in the efficacy of water baptism…used the “correct words” however.
 
Publisher said:
How would anyone know that you “intend” such? So how can one know that the Muslim or atheist “intends” something as strange since neither have any belief whatsoever in the Trinity nor understand what the church “intends” by the proper words being spoken?
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Well if it is in question one asks. (normal human knowing…)

We are talking about an not ordinary circumstance.

But one does not have to understand or believe.

It is Christ who baptizes.
 
Bookcat said:
Well if it is in question one asks.

But one does not have to understand or believe.

It is Christ who baptizes.
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How does one “ask” in an “emergency” if the one performing the baptism ‘intends’ what the church intends? I’m assuming if one were to ask and the answer came back in a less than satisfactory answer of “intent” then the water baptism would be invalid…I would assume then it is a “baptism of desire” of the canidate?
 
Publisher said:
How does one “ask” in an “emergency” if the one performing the baptism ‘intends’ what the church intends?
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Henry and Steve are lost at sea…Steve is dying.

“Henry I want to die a a Christian – will you baptize me?”

“Ok…what do I do?”

“You do this…”

“Ok…”
 
Publisher said:
How does one “ask” in an “emergency” if the one performing the baptism ‘intends’ what the church intends? I’m assuming if one were to ask and the answer came back in a less than satisfactory answer of “intent” then the water baptism would be invalid…I would assume then it is a “baptism of desire” of the canidate?
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If Henry said “no I will not baptize you” …well then yes “baptism of desire” is possible yes.
 
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