What does it mean to "refuse" Baptism?

[ntisawesome]

I read in Catholic doctrine, that Baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation in the following sense:

If a person decides to become a Christian, receives Christ as their saviour, fully intends to get baptized, but then dies before the Baptism takes place, they can still be saved.

But if a person deliberately refuses to be baptized and then dies, they cannot be saved.

First of all, am I understanding this correctly? I think I read it in John Hardy’s
“Catechism of the Catholic Church” somewhere.

Second of all, I was born into a Penticostal/Baptist family, and ended up going to a Baptist Church throughout my teenage years. I thus identified myself as a Baptist Christian. I have recently all but completely come to the decision to join the Catholic church. And intend to begin the RCIA program soon. I feel great and am very excited to one day have my first REAL communion, and my first confession. But I have never been Baptized, not even in my Protestant Church. I feel that

1. It would be inappropriate to be Baptized in a Protestant Church, given my recent decision.
2. It would be premature to be Baptized in a Catholic Church, given the early stage am I at.

What would happen if I died in my sleep tonight? Am I “refusing” Baptism by waiting?

 

[Like]

I read in Catholic doctrine, that Baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation in the following sense:

If a person decides to become a Christian, receives Christ as their saviour, fully intends to get baptized, but then dies before the Baptism takes place, they can still be saved.

But if a person deliberately refuses to be baptized and then dies, they cannot be saved.

First of all, am I understanding this correctly? I think I read it in John Hardy’s
“Catechism of the Catholic Church” somewhere.

Second of all, I was born into a Penticostal/Baptist family, and ended up going to a Baptist Church throughout my teenage years. I thus identified myself as a Baptist Christian. I have recently all but completely come to the decision to join the Catholic church. And intend to begin the RCIA program soon. I feel great and am very excited to one day have my first REAL communion, and my first confession. But I have never been Baptized, not even in my Protestant Church. I feel that

1. It would be inappropriate to be Baptized in a Protestant Church, given my recent decision.
2. It would be premature to be Baptized in a Catholic Church, given the early stage am I at.

What would happen if I died in my sleep tonight? Am I “refusing” Baptism by waiting?

Yes! It would be the bolded above. And it sounds to me like you have the desire for baptism.

No, if you were to change your mind on becoming Catholic, then you still will need to be baptized.

Welcome home!

 

[Tietjen]

I read in Catholic doctrine, that Baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation in the following sense:

If a person decides to become a Christian, receives Christ as their saviour, fully intends to get baptized, but then dies before the Baptism takes place, they can still be saved.

But if a person deliberately refuses to be baptized and then dies, they cannot be saved.

First of all, am I understanding this correctly? I think I read it in John Hardy’s
“Catechism of the Catholic Church” somewhere.

Yes, you seem to understand it fairly well. There are 3 types of baptisms:
Baptism of Water - The usual way one is baptized
Baptism of Desire - A catechumen has a true desire to be baptized but dies prior to baptism
Baptism of Blood - Martyrdom

Second of all, I was born into a Penticostal/Baptist family, and ended up going to a Baptist Church throughout my teenage years. I thus identified myself as a Baptist Christian. I have recently all but completely come to the decision to join the Catholic church. And intend to begin the RCIA program soon. I feel great and am very excited to one day have my first REAL communion, and my first confession. But I have never been Baptized, not even in my Protestant Church. I feel that

1. It would be inappropriate to be Baptized in a Protestant Church, given my recent decision.
2. It would be premature to be Baptized in a Catholic Church, given the early stage am I at.

What would happen if I died in my sleep tonight? Am I “refusing” Baptism by waiting?

Here are a couple of things that may help you understand better:

Code of Canon Law which provides some insight as to the importance of and the correct form of baptism

Catholic Encyclopedia which gives an EXTREMELY though explanation of baptism and the 3 types to include history, correct forum, etc.

 

[ntisawesome]

So I can just continue my journey and let Baptism happen when it happens?

 

[Tietjen]

So I can just continue my journey and let Baptism happen when it happens?

Yes, however, I would suggest sharing your concerns with the parish Priest. He may be able to settle your concerns better than I.

 

[SpaceNeedle]

Hi!

I was baptised after completing RCIA, at the Easter Vigil.

If you have any questions about this process as you move forward, please PM me anytime. I would be happy to share my experience with you.

 

[ntisawesome]

OK. I don’t really have a Parish Priest because I don’t have a Parish. I have only attended one mass, but I have been aggressively reading Catholic doctrine and spending lots of time speaking with a Catholic family about any troublesome or confusing issues that arise. All the while, I’ve still been attending my childhood Baptist Church as well as a non-denominational Protestant Church. Ultimately, prayers and scripture have led me to where I am headed now. I must also say that these forums have been a great help. I’ve received some great answers from some of my questions in previous posts. God bless you all.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Well, don’t you think it’s about time to begin going to mass and enroll in an RCIA program as a catechumen (one who is learning about the faith but is not yet baptized)?

The RCIA process is a time to ask questions. This is getting to be the time of year many parishes begin RCIA. Go for it.

 

[puzzleannie]

I read in Catholic doctrine, that Baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation in the following sense:

If a person decides to become a Christian, receives Christ as their saviour, fully intends to get baptized, but then dies before the Baptism takes place, they can still be saved.

But if a person deliberately refuses to be baptized and then dies, they cannot be saved.

First of all, am I understanding this correctly? I think I read it in John Hardy’s
“Catechism of the Catholic Church” somewhere.

Second of all, I was born into a Penticostal/Baptist family, and ended up going to a Baptist Church throughout my teenage years. I thus identified myself as a Baptist Christian. I have recently all but completely come to the decision to join the Catholic church. And intend to begin the RCIA program soon. I feel great and am very excited to one day have my first REAL communion, and my first confession. But I have never been Baptized, not even in my Protestant Church. I feel that

1. It would be inappropriate to be Baptized in a Protestant Church, given my recent decision.
2. It would be premature to be Baptized in a Catholic Church, given the early stage am I at.

What would happen if I died in my sleep tonight? Am I “refusing” Baptism by waiting?

This is precisely the circumstance referred to in your quote, the person who has decided to be baptized and enter the Church and who is contemplating or in the process of preparation for initiation. If that person dies suddenly, it is presumed she would have asked for baptism if death was imminent and so would have that grace available at the moment of judgement and could be saved.

To refuse baptism means to have been offered that opportunity, and given means to fully understand that commitment, the reasons for baptism, and evangelization with the gospel message, yet with free will and full knowledge to deliberately reject Christ’s saving grace. You on the other hand have been evangelized and are showing humility and trust in submitting yourself to the Church in her wisdom in preparing you for baptism. Welcome Home!

 

[ntisawesome]

Well, don’t you think it’s about time to begin going to mass and enroll in an RCIA program as a catechumen (one who is learning about the faith but is not yet baptized)?

Yes. That’s the plan.