Do Protestant churches accept Catholic baptism as valid?

[Root of Jesse]

I hear a lot of criticism of us calling Protestants "separated bretheren". But the question comes up...we accept Trinitarian baptisms as valid in the Catholic Church. Do Protestant churches accept Catholic baptism as valid? So, if I wanted to convert to your church, whether non-denom, or Methodist, or whatever, would you require me to be baptized into your denomination?

 

[bbbbbbb]

There are a variety of views on this issue among the various Protestant churches. Some simply don't care about baptism at all, such as the Friends (Quakers) so it would not matter to them in the least. At the opposite extreme there are some particular independent Baptist church which hold that baptism is not into a denomination, but into a local church body so that any Christian who joins another church must be baptized into that church.

Most Protestants do not perceive baptism as being a rite of admittance into a denomination.

 

[Breaking Enigma]

We do.

 

[CalmRon]

It depends on the congregation and mode of baptism. My church (independent Baptist) has specifically condemned infant baptism and affirms what they call believers baptism where you should be at an age where you can make that decision with understanding.

 

[faroukfarouk]

It depends on the congregation and mode of baptism. My church (independent Baptist) has specifically condemned infant baptism and affirms what they call believers baptism where you should be at an age where you can make that decision with understanding.

This reflects the Scriptural order: the exercise of faith first, then the baptism as a testimony of faith.

 

[Root of Jesse]

It depends on the congregation and mode of baptism. My church (independent Baptist) has specifically condemned infant baptism and affirms what they call believers baptism where you should be at an age where you can make that decision with understanding.

So, do you allow infants to choose their clothes and what they eat? Who their doctor is, and where they go to school? I hope you make those decisions, which are all very important, for them. So why can't you decide their salvation for them?

 

[Root of Jesse]

This reflects the Scriptural order: the exercise of faith first, then the baptism as a testimony of faith.

Not really. When Peter converted 5000 people, he baptized them all, and all their households. We can understand that many of those households had children in them.

 

[BobRyan]

I hear a lot of criticism of us calling Protestants "separated bretheren". But the question comes up...we accept Trinitarian baptisms as valid in the Catholic Church. Do Protestant churches accept Catholic baptism as valid? So, if I wanted to convert to your church, whether non-denom, or Methodist, or whatever, would you require me to be baptized into your denomination?

The catholic church does not allow non-Catholic Christians to participate in Catholic communion. And the RCC claims that non-Catholics cannot be saved under the New Covenant - because the New Covenant is limited to the Catholic Mass. So then "saved some other way"

But a great many non-Catholic Christian denominations will allow a Catholic to participate in their communion. We call that "open communion".

having said that - if a catholic wants to accept our Bible based doctrine and join the church - they must join by full water baptism because in our thinking - infants are not "choosing to accept the Gospel". If however that Catholic was baptized in the Catholic church as a believer - full water baptism -- they would not need to be baptized when joining our church.

 

[Root of Jesse]

The catholic church does not allow non-Catholic Christians to participate in Catholic communion.

True, because they don't believe what we do about the Eucharist, usually don't even call it what it is.

And the RCC claims that non-Catholics cannot be saved under the New Covenant - because the New Covenant is limited to the Catholic Mass. So then "saved some other way"

False. Baptism now saves you.

But a great many non-Catholic Christian denominations will allow a Catholic to participate in their communion. We call that "open communion".

but a Catholic who understands his faith would not do so. See above for why.

having said that - if a catholic wants to accept our Bible based doctrine and join the church - they must join by full water baptism because in our thinking - infants are not "choosing to accept the Gospel". If however that Catholic was baptized in the Catholic church as a believer - full water baptism -- they would not need to be baptized when joining our church.

Where does the Bible say that you must be immersed in water? Second question: When Peter converted 5000 and immediately baptized them, where did this full immersion happen? In Jerusalem? Third question: Where does the Bible say that infants may not be baptized?

 

[Root of Jesse]

One could imagine that infants were baptized - but one does not find that ever in the text. Rather the text always makes baptism an act of personal choice "Not the magic touch of sacramental waters to the flesh - but rather the APPEAL to God for a clean conscience" - 1Peter 3.

Parents always have and always will make essential decisions for the benefit of their children. Infant baptism, since baptism saves, is one of those. Between that time and the time of their adult-hood, they are educated in the faith, because there is a requirement to grow in faith. Confirmation is, sort of, the proof of that growth.

 

[Shane R]

It's simple: churches that practice infant baptism will likely accept a Catholic baptism, Credo-baptists will likely reject a Catholic baptism. Those that hold to immersion as the only acceptable mode will reject Catholic baptism. Churches of Christ will likely reject any baptism not performed 'for the remission of sins' as a believing, confessing person of the age of accountability. Even that extreme view is not unique.

 

[Root of Jesse]

It's simple: churches that practice infant baptism will likely accept a Catholic baptism, Credo-baptists will likely reject a Catholic baptism. Those that hold to immersion as the only acceptable mode will reject Catholic baptism. Churches of Christ will likely reject any baptism not performed 'for the remission of sins' as a believing, confessing person of the age of accountability. Even that extreme view is not unique.

To the bolded, why? We use immersion in very many cases. Even for infants. Again, though, why would you reject a parents' authority to make important decisions for their children?

 

[Albion]

It's simple: churches that practice infant baptism will likely accept a Catholic baptism, Credo-baptists will likely reject a Catholic baptism. Those that hold to immersion as the only acceptable mode will reject Catholic baptism.

That's pretty much "it," yes. We might also say that it is a minority of Protestant churches that fall into either of those categories (Believer's Baptism and/or total immersion considered necessary for validity).

 

[faroukfarouk]

Not really. When Peter converted 5000 people, he baptized them all, and all their households. We can understand that many of those households had children in them.

In Acts, where Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch, there was 'much water there'. Also in Acts, it says of the Philippian jailer, that he was baptised 'believing with all his house': all his house believed.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I'm a baptist, we don't believe in pedobaptism, for the same reasons the other don't.

 

[Shane R]

In Acts, where Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch, there was 'much water there'. Also in Acts, it says of the Philippian jailer, that he was baptised 'believing with all his house': all his house believed.

That there was 'much water' is as speculative as this painting of the eunuch's baptism. I'm not disagreeing with what the text says, but what does it mean?

 

[Root of Jesse]

In Acts, where Philip baptised the Ethiopian eunuch, there was 'much water there'. Also in Acts, it says of the Philippian jailer, that he was baptised 'believing with all his house': all his house believed.

How does that relate to Peter baptizing 5000 in Jerusalem. Not much potable water there...
Regarding the jailer, yes, all his house, presumably children included, believed.

 

[Root of Jesse]

I'm a baptist, we don't believe in pedobaptism, for the same reasons the other don't.

So, it seems that you wouldn't accept my infant baptism, would require me to be re-baptized (even though it only means you get wet), would I choose to join your denomination. So, while Catholics include all Trinitarians as validly baptized, not requiring re-baptism to join, you don't consider Catholic baptism, even though the same formula, valid.

 

[CalmRon]

So, do you allow infants to choose their clothes and what they eat? Who their doctor is, and where they go to school? I hope you make those decisions, which are all very important, for them. So why can't you decide their salvation for them?

Its not so simple as child care as no one can make such a decision for you... I can see where this is going so I will say I was informing you at least some protestant Christians would not accept some form of catholic baptism (infant). My comment should not be construed as an attack or commentary about how you or anybody practices that ritual

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

So, it seems that you wouldn't accept my infant baptism, would require me to be re-baptized (even though it only means you get wet), would I choose to join your denomination. So, while Catholics include all Trinitarians as validly baptized, not requiring re-baptism to join, you don't consider Catholic baptism, even though the same formula, valid.

Well, yes. Baptism validates your faith to the local congregation. It reassures the church body and yourself that you are going full steam on this Christian thing. God's grace saves people, not religious ceremony. You cannot be saved by works. Ephesians 2:8 clearly states that. It would be foolish to think that any sort of ceremony invokes God's grace upon a person, that is up to the sovereign will of God to ultimately decide. It doesn't mean I cannot pray for it, and guide my child to God. God is not a magic genie that your or any priest's command. He tells you what to do, not the other way around.