Questions tagged [baptism]

A ritual or symbol of admission to the body of Christians, generally performed by immersion or sprinkling with water.

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Are Catholic children given Saints' names on Confirmation?

In a paragraph of the write-up on Roman Catholic Saints at britannica.com , it is written that many Catholics take or are given a saint’s name for their Confirmation. Normally, a Catholic child on its ...
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Great commission applies to all believers, but the laity does not baptize. Why?

I just noticed that while we are told that the great commission applies to all believers in the sense that we are to share the gospel, we don't normally baptize those we help believe. Instead, we ...
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First time that "community standards" or similar criteria will factor into the decision of whether an individual can receive Catholic baptism?

This may not be the best source to quote, but The Guardian's November 11, 2023 Trans people can be baptised in church and be godparents, says Vatican (Vatican office adds there must be no ‘situations ...
uhoh's user avatar
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Criteria an individual must meet to receive Catholic baptism; how they evolve with individual's age, and how they've evolved since biblical times?

This may not be the best source to quote, but The Guardian's November 11, 2023 Trans people can be baptised in church and be godparents, says Vatican (Vatican office adds there must be no ‘situations ...
uhoh's user avatar
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Is it an act of justice to abort an unborn child as that child would then go to heaven? [closed]

On the topic of unborn/infants dying without being baptized, could one argue that, as those babies would not go to hell but instead to heaven, it is an act of mercy or justice to abort babies to "...
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What did "one baptism" in the Nicene Creed mean back then?

In the following statement in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (AD 381), what exactly does "one" mean for the framers (i.e., not to subsequent interpretation)? English: We [or I] ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
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Can I be rebaptized now that I have truly found God? [closed]

I was raised Catholic. I raised my family Catholic. I made sure they as well as myself did all the sacraments as we were supposed to: we were baptized as babies, had our first holy communion around ...
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Since when did the Catholic church accept Protestant baptism, and what was the original rationale for accepting?

This is a historical question. I'm interested in the earliest instance that the Catholic Church (whether by the Vatican or by a bishop) accepted a Protestant baptism for a catechumen (a convert), ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
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What are the tongues of angels in comparison to the tongues of men?

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (1st Corinthians 13:1 KJV) Is there a Greek or Hebrew root wording to ...
Zachary Theriault's user avatar
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What options does a person of Church of England religion have if they are not sure if they were baptized in infancy, and can't prove it either way?

If a Church of England member has never been baptized, then there are pathways to receive this sacrament. You can only be baptized once. What happens if a Church of England member is unsure and cannot ...
EleventhDoctor's user avatar
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Baptism in (Biblical) Unitarian denominations

Do Biblical Unitarian churches also baptise in the Name of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Which words are used? Please specify the concrete denomination in your answer, as this may be handled ...
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What did the early Church Fathers (pre-Nicea A.D. 325) have to say about faith, baptism and if it is the act of baptism that saves?

This question is asked in response to this recent question: Where does the idea that faith must be a condition for baptism originate from? I am trying to find evidence from the writings of Clement, ...
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Where does the idea that faith must be a condition for baptism originate from?

I have been told that I possess a very definitive view of faith in regards to baptism. So far as I believe faith in Jesus as personal Lord and Savior must be present at the time of baptism. Hence my ...
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Where does the practice of sprinkling as a mode of baptism come from?

I grew up in a credobaptist tradition. Studying both Scripture and church history for myself without the blinders of tradition, I have come to accept paedobaptism, as I have come to a different ...
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Can I still be a Catholic if I don’t believe everything in line with the church?

Morning! I have a question about churches and baptisms. My partner and I are marrying in a Catholic Church. For background, I was raised by agnostic/ atheist parents, and my partner was raised non-...
Emma Le Breton's user avatar
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Is there a Church Tradition that the original Apostles were ever baptized?

I had been thinking about this, but since it isn't ever mentioned in the Bible, is there any teaching that says the original disciples and apostles were ever baptized?
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How do defenders of baptismal regeneration understand Acts 8?

Acts 8:14-17: “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. These two went down and prayed for them so that they would receive ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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If I underwent baptism when I was an adult, but If now I am no longer certain that Jesus revived, then am I still a Christian? [closed]

When I was in my 20s, I was baptised. Now I am my 30s, and I am no longer certain that Jesus revived. (Positive) The following is a reason that I can believe that Jesus had revived: In Bible, his ...
with-forest's user avatar
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What is a survey of Christian beliefs on those who cannot be baptized?

What do various Christian denominations believe about the requirement of baptism, and situations that impede it? For a personal example, it has been more than 3 years since I converted to Christianity;...
ElectronSurf's user avatar
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What is the difference between Baptism and Confirmation in the Catholic Church?

Is there a list of specific differences between what Confirmation is and what Baptism is, and why we need both (especially Baptism) in the Catholic Church? From an observer, they seem pretty similar. ...
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What is the Catholic church's view on credo-baptist?

I would like to know if Catholic church considers credo-baptism a heresy? And also what exactly there stance is on it?
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Are Protestants with valid baptism Catholics, from a Catholic perspective?

From a Catholic perspective: The Catholic Church considers Protestant baptisms valid. Baptism removes all penalty of sin, so whoever is validly baptized is saved. There is no salvation outside the ...
yters's user avatar
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Orthodoxy: Does baptism grant dispensations from vows previously made as a protestant?

The title is pretty self explanatory. I have made some vows during psychotic episodes from when I was an emotionally charged and immature protestant many years ago. I was recently just now received ...
Moloch Despiser's user avatar
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Does Christianity have any explicit position on Jewish matrilineality?

Among denominations which recognize infant baptism, in my experience, Christians — even those who are otherwise not really practicing — baptize their children as a matter of course. In cases where the ...
TheChymera's user avatar
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How does a Baptist church handle a believer who was already baptized as an infant and confirmed as a youth?

Let's say a Christian grew up in a non-Baptist Reformed church and was baptized as an infant. This Christian went through a catechism and confirmation during his youth (12-15 yr. old) and in the ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
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Do Catholics believe that unbaptized Protestants go to heaven?

Do Catholics believe baptism is necessary for salvation? According to Catholicism, would an unbaptized Protestant go to Heaven?
Someone's user avatar
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Was the immersion in water by the hand of others, a part of joining Christianity?

Was the immersion in water by the hand/s of others (such as the pastor's) for joining Christianity, already practiced in the time of Jesus in Judea (or right after), or was it something relatively new?...
Foreign affairs's user avatar
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Why don’t the baptisms in Acts use the trinitarian formula? [duplicate]

At the end of the book of Matthew, we see Jesus’ command for baptism in the name of all three persons of the trinity: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of ...
ellied's user avatar
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What is John Wesley's belief about imputation of guilt?

There are some that seem to say that he doesn't and then some seems to say that he does (p.19) so I wonder what is going on here. I understand that there are different kinds of ways to explain how ...
ohteepee's user avatar
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What, if anything, is known about the practice of baptism for the dead in the early church?

1 Cor 15 mentions church members performing baptisms for the dead. Apart from that, no further reference to this practice exists in the Bible as far as I am aware. What, if anything, is known about ...
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As a Catholic, can I baptize my own child after he is born?

As a Catholic, can I baptize my own child after he is born? I am about to see my first child be born and was wondering if it would be sinful if I were to baptize him myself after his birth. I am aware ...
Display name's user avatar
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In the Catholic church, can a child be baptized secretly when one parent objects?

Let's say a Protestant couple has a child who has been raised in a Protestant church that believes in adult baptism. So the child has not yet been baptized. The husband then becomes Catholic and ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
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231 views

What is the wording used for Christadelphian baptism?

The top answer currently on the question Would a person baptized by a Biblical Unitarian church be considered a Christian by the Catholic Church? links to a document Valid baptisms reference list from ...
Only True God's user avatar
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1 answer
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What arguments does the Catholic Church use to require Trinitarian intent on the part of the baptizer for a 'valid' baptism?

It looks like the 'intent' of the baptizer requires some sort of assent to Trinitarian beliefs in order for a baptism to be considered valid by the Catholic Church (see Would a person baptized by a ...
Only True God's user avatar
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3 answers
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Would a person baptized by a Biblical Unitarian church be considered a Christian by the Catholic Church?

According to the currently top answer to the question Who is a Christian according to the Catholic Church? a 'Christian' according to the Catholic Church is one who is validly baptized. That leads to ...
Only True God's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
94 views

What does Believers Eastern Church teach on the mode and subjects of baptism?

Believers Eastern Church, the denomination from Kerala, India, is an interesting mix of Orthodox, Evangelical, and other traditions. One thing I haven't found out yet is what they teach on baptism. Is ...
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According to Reformed Theology, how can one justify infant baptism?

I have read the entire Westminster Confession of faith before; and I agree with pretty much everything except for the infant baptism section: Not only those that do actually profess faith in and ...
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Where did the nomenclature “godfather” originate from?

As per Catholic tradition, a baby at the time of baptism, gets a godfather and a godmother. They are the ones who present the child at baptism and promise to take responsibility for his/her ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
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2 answers
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Theoretically, could a lay person, by virtue of their baptism, validly consecrate Holy Eucharist?

Does the ability to validly consecrate Eucharist come from our baptism? Does ordination add an extra power not given in baptism? Or is ordination simply the act of setting aside a baptized person for ...
Ashpenaz's user avatar
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For LDS, what does it mean that baptism is "essential" for "salvation"?

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:...
kutschkem's user avatar
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What baptismal formula did John the Baptist use?

I'm curious - is there a tradition from the early church (from Christ to 700 AD) about what John the Baptist said when he was baptizing people? How did he get that information?
Luke Hill's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Why does the Catholic Church consider protestant baptisms valid sacraments, but not protestant marriages?

Inspired by GratefulDisciple's comment under Geremia's answer Multiple marriages and divorces The Catechism says: The ordinary ministers of baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, ...
user avatar
3 votes
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255 views

What can I find an authoritative statement of the conditions for a valid Roman Catholic baptism?

I am interested in knowing where to find an authoritative statement of the conditions that make for a valid baptism. In particular, I'm looking for a statement that would provide, even if indirectly, ...
CrimsonDark's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
102 views

How flexible are Protestants on the Baptismal formula?

In the news recently is how thousands of people are being baptized again because of an invalid wording from their priest, who said, "We baptize" instead of "I baptize." https://...
Jess's user avatar
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What is the basis for baptism being the new circumcision?

I was recently listening to Dr. Scott Hahn on Pints with Aquinas. In that interview, Dr. Hahn mentions baptism as the new circumcision in relation to covenantal theology. His main point was that if ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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1 vote
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What is first time infant baptism was established and commissioned according to catholic church? What does church history say about this?

What is first time infant baptism was established and commissioned according to Catholic Church? What does church history says about this? What was reason for infant baptism being established instead ...
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In Catholicism, after receiving absolution from mortal sin, how do we regain the effects of the sacraments of baptism & confirmation?

In Catholicism we are given certain sacramental character and effects after we receive the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation: Res Et Sacramentum: the abiding purpose, the sacramental character: ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
925 views

Was Martin Luther wrong about baptizing infants?

Toward the end of his life, Martin Luther was extremely critical of the Anabaptists and considered them to be heretics. This inspired terrible treatment of the Anabaptists at the hands of the German ...
David Eisenbeisz's user avatar
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1 answer
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Roman Catholic and being Baptized for a second time in a Coptic church [closed]

I would like to understand if there are any repercussions of being baptized again in a Coptic church to be married there. I want to understand what this does to me in standing with my Roman Catholic ...
Thomas's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
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How do those who deny baptism as a means of grace reconcile this bible verses apparently saing otherwise?

This article has a number of things to say about baptism, but particularly this: Baptism does not save a person. The Bible, however, says that "baptism, which corresponds to [the waters of the ...
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