Author Topic: Power of Baptism (Read 1068 times)

henry · « **on:** July 29, 2010, 05:29:48 PM »

This question is mainly directed at Catholics who converted in adulthood and had not been previously baptized.

Did you feel any different? Did you notice that answers to your prayers were more powerful? If you asked for a sign from God did He give you one.

I think what I want more than anything is to have a sign from God, and I wonder if I need baptism before He will give me a sign that I can see. He's undoubtedly given me signs, but I'd like a sign that is so powerful that it is unmistakable.

I don't live a very Christian life, and my mind is muddy. I'd like clarity, but I think I may need baptism before I will receive this clarity.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:31:44 PM »

So what is keeping you from this saving sacrament, henry?

henry · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:35:31 PM »

Confusion about who to trust. That's it in a nut shell.

wallflower · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:36:25 PM »

I can't think of the verse now but I am sure there is one about not asking for signs, or maybe that God isn't pleased if we only believe through signs, not to test God's patience, etc... Maybe someone else knows it by heart? I'll try to look into it. I may depend on what sign you're asking for and why though.

henry · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:39:51 PM »

Quote from: wallflower

I can't think of the verse now but I am sure there is one about not asking for signs, or maybe that God isn't pleased if we only believe through signs, not to test God's patience, etc... Maybe someone else knows it by heart? I'll try to look into it. I may depend on what sign you're asking for and why though.

That's unfortunate. St. Paul received a great sign, but maybe God only gives signs like that to those who He is grooming for great things. St. Paul received this sign while he was persecuting Catholics, so I can't imagine he was living a holier life at the time than I am now.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:45:35 PM »

I was thinking that same thing, I believe the verse is in a prayer. My mind is a blank today! (left myself wide open for that remark) :thinking:

If God gives you a sign henry, you also have so much more to answer to Him for.

What do you mean, you don't know who to trust, anyone can Baptise, don't you know of a traditional priest anywhere?

Just think if you're disposition is pleasing to God all your Purgatory is wiped clean.

Make a novena in preparation for a proper disposition, and make an appointment. What exactly are your doubts and fears? You don't have to answer if you would rather keep that private.

henry · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2010, 05:59:57 PM »

Are all baptisms valid? Can I go to priest who doesn't have the Faith and the baptism still be valid?

Could I go to a priest and request baptism while being noncommittal on his particular POV (e.g. CMRI, SSPX, Slaves of Immaculate Heart of Mary, etc)?

Matto · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:06:08 PM »

I was baptized as a child, so I cannot answer your question as to whether baptism makes you feel different. I sometimes wonder that myself. I know some people get signs from God before they are baptized.

Do you really want a sign from God? I can tell you about an unmistakable sign that God gave me. When I was new to traditional Catholicism, once during Mass, when the priest was holding up the host after the consecration, the host started glowing like a bright light bulb. This lasted for a couple of seconds while the priest was holding up the consecrated host and stopped when he put it down. So I know that these signs do happen sometimes.

Anyone can baptize, as long as they use the proper form and have the proper intention. Some priests without faith might not have the proper intention when they baptize or may not use the proper form, but I am not an expert on this.

henry · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:34:46 PM »

Quote from: Matto

I was baptized as a child, so I cannot answer your question as to whether baptism makes you feel different. I sometimes wonder that myself. I know some people get signs from God before they are baptized.

Do you really want a sign from God? I can tell you about an unmistakable sign that God gave me. When I was new to traditional Catholicism, once during Mass, when the priest was holding up the host after the consecration, the host started glowing like a bright light bulb. This lasted for a couple of seconds while the priest was holding up the consecrated host and stopped when he put it down. So I know that these signs do happen sometimes.

Anyone can baptize, as long as they use the proper form and have the proper intention. Some priests without faith might not have the proper intention when they baptize or may not use the proper form, but I am not an expert on this.

Yes, I'd like any sign that is unmistakable, like your experience, but it isn't a precondition for my entering the Church, of course. But it would help.

That's a worry, that the priest won't have the proper intention. I can learn the proper form and catch him if he is doing it incorrectly, but I can't read his mind.

roscoe · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:39:38 PM »

My understanding is that the most important element of a Baptism is the intention of the subject-- not necessarily that of the one performing the sacrament.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:42:00 PM »

Quote from: henry

Could I go to a priest and request baptism while being noncommittal on his particular POV (e.g. CMRI, SSPX, Slaves of Immaculate Heart of Mary, etc)?

You will never know till to talk to a priest.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2010, 06:53:12 PM »

Matto, I had a similar experience with the Blessed Sacrament, but only at Benediction, when I looked at the Blessed Sacrament I could see it pulsating, this went on for several months, and one day I begged God to take it away, because I believed it was not of God, but the devil himself.

I remember praying to God, at first I looked around the Church to see if anyone else saw it, then I looked all around to see if there was a reflection from the fans above, but it would happen when the fans were off too. After several months, I begged God to take it away because it became nothing but a distraction for me, trying to figure it out, and also it was starting to make me feel special, that was when I realized it was the devil.

After I begged God, it disappeared and never again happened to me.

So be careful what you ask for.

Alex · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2010, 03:14:23 AM »

Proper intention means that you intend to baptize as the Church intends. It doesn't mean that a priest or anyone else believe in the baptism. For instance, if you are in danger of death and there is no one around, a Muslim who doesn't believe in baptism can still validly baptize you if you ask him.