Why does the Catholic Church accept non-Catholic baptisms?

[Swiss_Guy]

It is a post-reformation notion that considers baptisms to be different in any way. A valid baptism is a valid baptism, since its power derives from the authority of God. Receiving such a valid Sacrament makes a person a participant in the new and everlasting covenant, and part of the one Church which Christ founded. All who are validly baptized are either in perfect communion with Christ’s Church, or are in imperfect (separated) communion. All are members of the mystical Body of Christ.

yes, but they/we (Protestants) aren’t in visible communion with the Catholic Church, correct? That’s what I mean by “formal”.

 

[po18guy]

yes, but they/we (Protestants) aren’t in visible communion with the Catholic Church, correct? That’s what I mean by “formal”.

By the nature of your baptism; by the nature of your belief in Christ; through your lived-out Christianity, you are in a visible communion, albeit an imperfect one. This is the main reason why reception of the Eucharist is reserved for those in full communion. There are other reasons as well, but this is the big one.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

By the nature of your baptism; by the nature of your belief in Christ; through your lived-out Christianity, you are in a visible communion, albeit an imperfect one. This is the main reason why reception of the Eucharist is reserved for those in full communion. There are other reasons as well, but this is the big one.

If this is the case (not saying this is my situation - I really want to become Catholic), why would a typical Protestant want to become part of the Catholic Church if they were already apart of it? To have the Eucharist and receive Confession, but Protestants already believe they have that.

I feel like I’m getting off topic.

 

[Digitonomy]

Ah. So the Catholic church rejects the baptism if they say in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost rather than Holy Spirit?

Just a quick sidetrack to expand on what SteveVH said: “Ghost” and “spirit” mean virtually the same thing in English - I don’t know of any other languages where there are two common words for this idea. English has a slightly richer vocabulary due to its use of words of Germanic origin like “ghost” and words of Latin origin like “spirit.” I think in English “spirit” is found more often in recent biblical translations, and “ghost” is more common in older translations. It’s probably for this reason that “Holy Ghost” is the LDS usage, since Joseph Smith was familiar with the KJV, and his scriptural writing used the same basic idiom.

 

[po18guy]

If this is the case (not saying this is my situation - I really want to become Catholic), why would a typical Protestant want to become part of the Catholic Church if they were already apart of it? To have the Eucharist and receive Confession, but Protestants already believe they have that.

I feel like I’m getting off topic.

We can risk a slight diversion here. Christ’s Church is for those who seek the truth in its fullness. Many cultural Catholics drift away from the Church - never fully understanding what they had, or what the Church teaches. However, Protestants who seek the truth, and who are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, seek that truth where it may be found. The Spirit ultimately leads them to unity in the Catholic Church, as I pray you are being lead. The Church is saddened by the loss of tepid believers, but joy-filled at the addition of the fervent who convert. And, you can see that many of the most fervent Catholics are converts. If you know a convert, ask them if they would leave.

By the way, do you have a copy of Catholicism for Dummies? Most highly recommended.

 

[Miriam1947]

We can risk a slight diversion here. Christ’s Church is for those who seek the truth in its fullness. Many cultural Catholics drift away from the Church - never fully understanding what they had, or what the Church teaches. However, Protestants who seek the truth, and who are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, seek that truth where it may be found. The Spirit ultimately leads them to unity in the Catholic Church, as I pray you are being lead. The Church is saddened by the loss of tepid believers, but joy-filled at the addition of the fervent who convert. And, you can see that many of the most fervent Catholics are converts. If you know a convert, ask them if they would leave.

By the way, do you have a copy of Catholicism for Dummies? Most highly recommended.

Exactly. I am a convert, there is no way I would leave. I have the Eucharist and every other sacrament that is available to me. I thank God every single day that He made me Catholic.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Exactly. I am a convert, there is no way I would leave. I have the Eucharist and every other sacrament that is available to me. I thank God every single day that He made me Catholic.

Yes, I agree, and like to borrow from the disciples who asked Jesus, “Where would we go?”

 

[Miriam1947]

Yes, I agree, and like to borrow from the disciples who asked Jesus, “Where would we go?”

Exactly. Where would we go? There is no other but the Catholic Church. How lucky we are and how much grace we have received. Thanks be to God.

 

[PJM]

=Swiss Guy;8281673]I think we are saying the same thing. You are saying that non-Catholics become Catholic in Baptism, even though they aren’t Catholic. That’s a contradiction. So in Baptism, we are all apart of the Catholic Church, whether in full communion or in an imperfect communion. But, those who are brought up outside of the Church (a.k.a Protestants) and follow Christ, but don’t know His Church, have an implicit membership - but aren’t formally part of the Church/Body of Christ. If they did have a formal membership, they wouldn’t be called ‘separated brethren’.

Complicated stuff.

***No, What I’m saying is that Baptism has the same EFFECT on all Christians [but it has only a little to do with Catholism].

We All become “Marked as children of Christ Jesus”, members of “the [NOT HIS] Christ-believing flock.”

The effects are the same: Entry into the community of Christ believers, forgiveness of all sin and ALL consequrnces of sin up to this point in the life of the one being baptized, but does not cover sins committed after baptism*, and eligible for offers of more Grace.

The difference is that Catholics are eligilble for additional Sacramental Grace, and being already members of Christ One and ONLY true Faith, and true Church are offered gracs not available outside Her embrace. Salvation is in a sense more probablr because of the Valid and Licit Seven Sacraments not valid and licit outside of the Church.

Reconcillation: The sacrament of KNOWN Forgiveness of sins [John 20:19-23] and Eucharist [Mt. 25, Mk.14. Lk.22, John Six and Paul 1 Cor.11 PLUS JESUS HIMSELF PROCLAIMING this truth of the Real Presence] give informed and fully practcing Catholics a GREAT edge is attaining Salvattion AS GOD intends us to do.

God Bless you,
Pat**

 

[Miriam1947]

Lest we forget:

To whom much is given, much is expected.

Just sayin’

 

[FromTheAshes777]

Sometimes rebaptism is necessary. For example when the proper documentation doesn’t exist to prove it, people are from a non-christian denomination or not a valid denomination or people might choose to be rebaptise because it is signifying a new life.

We need to trust our clergy to make the right decision because it’s common practice for the priest to meet with each new person potentially entering the Catholic church to decide what is the best course of action.

We need to be really careful in how we describe these actions. Catholic Priests do not “re-Baptize” a person. If a person has been validly Baptized and there is some sort of documentation or witness to such, then that person is Baptized, period, end of story for this Sacrament. There is no way to “re-Baptize” the person, it isn’t possible.

If there is serious doubt of the validity of a previous Baptism, or there is doubt whether one actually did occur because of lack of documentation a priest will sometimes perform a Conditional Baptism in private. Basically saying, “if you are not already Baptized, I Baptize you (name) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” while pouring of sprinkling water on the person’s head as each name of the Trinity is spoken.

This isn’t a second Baptism. If the person has already been Baptized validly but there was some doubt about it then this is no more than the person getting a little bit wet. If they were not validly Baptized before then this IS there one and only Baptism.