Lots of talk lately about baptism of converts...on my mind personally because, happily, we'll be receiving nine catechumen this Sunday, some by baptism/chrismation, others by chrismation only...it's a controversial subject , the two main schools of thought concerning which are highlighted very nicely in
this post at
The Perennial Rambler.
My own personal thought on the subject (which is worth just about what I'm charging you for it) is fairly simple, and, as I see it, reflects the traditional leniency of much of the Church throughout history and is often nowadays called the "Russian" practice:
- Baptized by triple immersion or pouring in the name of the Holy Trinity and chrismated (Eastern Catholic, Non-Chalcedonian)=received by confession and communion
- Baptized by triple immersion or pouring in the name of the Holy Trinity (Roman Catholic, Certain Protestant groups)=received by chrismation
- Never baptized, or Baptized by single immersion and/or by some other name other than "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Jews, Muslims, Hindus etc., Certain Protestant groups and severely heretical sects)=received by baptism and chrismation
This view is both stricter than what you'll find in many SCOBA jurisdictions and more lenient than what you'll find in many "Synods in Resistance," and may get me into some trouble (it already has, spiritually, as by my own criteria I should have been baptized but was not and have had to deal with my somewhat hard feelings and regret regarding this)...I'm actually gonna ask for an audience with Archbishop DMITRI about this, as wheels are (slowly) turning to have a group of us at St. Barbara's tonsured as readers...a step I am reluctant to take because of my views on this.
What do y'all think (about any or all of this)?
4 comments:
Basil,
Thanks for posting. It's interesting to me that groups who used to baptize by immersion "in olden days" (Lutherans, Methodists, Creedal Protestants in general) no longer do--they sprinkle now--whereas groups such as the A of G, which externally bear no resemblance to any creedal church, baptize by triple immersion. I know the Southern Baptists, as a rule, do single immersion, while certain independant Baptist groups do triple.
The "except for that" which you note is why I may be meeting with him on Saturday. To accept a form of baptism which was so roundly condemned in the past (in both the East and the West), as well as recently by the OCA itself by certain bishops.
From the article linked above:
#1) Those converting from Judaism, paganism, and Islam, as well as those who distort or do not accept the dogma of the Holy Trinity, or where the baptism is performed by a single immersion, by means of baptism.
#2) Those whose baptism was valid but who either do not have sacrament of chrismation or who lack a hierarchy with apostolic succession (or if it is questionable), by means of chrismation. This group includes Lutherans, Calvinists and Episcopalians (Anglicans).
#3) Those whose hierarchy has apostolic succession and whose baptism and chrismation (or confirmation) was performed in their church, by means of repentance and repudiation of heresy, following instruction in Orthodoxy. This group includes persons of the Roman Catholic and Armenian confessions. If it happens that they were not chrismated or confirmed in their churches or if there is any question about this, they are anointed with the Holy Chrism.
Thanks again for commenting.
I am presently studying Orthodox Christianity. Neat blog. Thanks.
I invite you to come study baptism and the Holy Spirit with me.
http://baptism-holyspirit.blogspot.com/
Terry Finley
happy.finley@gmail.com
link didn't work, though I found through your profile that your (brand-new?) blog has TWO hyphens in it, not just one.
Thanks for stopping by, though.
I feel exactly as you do. I'm (hopefully!) going to meet w/Vladyka next Thursday, 4/14 about this.
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