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Can a Methodist be a godmother for a Lutheran at a Lutheran church baptism without it being a problem?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
In the largest synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), it is only important that the godmother is a Christian. The purpose of being a godmother is to share in the role of the spiritual nurture of a baptized child. A baptismal sponsor does not need to be a communing, confessing member of the Lutheran church, as long as he/she makes sure the child learns about the Christian faith and preferably Lutheran confession until the child is able to take his faith into his own hands. In the WELS and LCMS, the usual preference is that the sponsor belong to the same confessional synod by which the child is baptized into the Christian Church.
Wisconsin Lutheran Evangelical (WELS) Synod's position. The custom of having witnesses or sponsors (sponsors are also called godparents) is neither commanded or forbidden in The Bible. The Bible does not speak to this issue. So making use of baptismal sponsors (godparents) or baptismal witnesses is not necessary and not essential for a valid baptism. So you have lots of freedom in this matter. It is correct in noting that customarily or traditionally there are distinctions between "witnesses" and "sponsors/godparents." The important thing is to make sure the person you are asking to serve a certain purpose is able and qualified to fulfill that purpose. A "witness" is asked to be present, to pay attention, to make sure water is applied in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and (perhaps) to write or print his signature on a baptismal certificate that can be kept by the baptized person. The person simply witnesses and can testify that the baptism took place. In perhaps the majority of cases, witnesses are cherished family members or friends who may not share the same doctrinal confession of the parents and family, but remain qualified to be witnesses. A sponsor or godparent, however, in addition to being a witness and signing the certificate, normally is asked to serve more religious or spiritual purposes for the baptized person. Typical among these is to keep the child in his prayers, give assistance as needed or wanted by the parents in the spiritual rearing of the child to maturity, and play an active role in encouraging the child in his faith-life. To really be qualified for these tasks, the sponsor should be a Christian, share the same doctrinal confession of the parents, and then able to give the same kind of active encouragement to the child that the parents would without violating conscience. There was a time when sponsors were also those designated to take over the rearing of a child in the event of the death or prolonged absence of the parents. But now that designation should be clearly stated in the parents' will and interested, extended family members informed of the fact.
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∙ 15y ago
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Does baby need godparents to be baptized in Lutheran church?
This would primarily be up to the pastor and the parents, as well as the potential godparents. However, there are enough serious doctrinal disagreements regarding baptism between the Lutheran Churches and the Baptist Churches that such an arrangement could be problematic and perhaps not even possible if all parties were to remain faithful to their tradition. If the potential godparent were to subscribe only to Believer Baptism as opposed to Infant Baptism, then they could not really believe in the effectiveness of an infant's baptism. In the tradition of Believer's baptism, the child would have to be baptized again at an older age, when said child would be able to come to Christ and come to terms with their faith. Now, to a Lutheran, the concept of someone being baptized again would seem to be unnecessary at best, heretical in all cases, and at worst an insult to baptism. Article IX of the Augsburg Confession states that baptism should come to children, as it entrusts them to God, and Luther's Large Catechism lines 47-86 declare that Baptism should be given to children, and can only come once. For a Lutheran, baptism can only occur once, the free showing and showering of God's love and grace through the action of the Holy Spirit, permanently and not dependent on the child, but on a God who loves. A second baptism, or any belief that the infant's baptism is not the true baptism, would seem to Lutherans to possibly cast doubt on this. With this in mind, one must question if a Baptist would even want to become a godparent to a Lutheran child, if said child's very baptism is questionable to the Baptist. One would also question whether a baptized child would be brought up well as a Lutheran Christian if said child is being taught about Christianity and within Christianity, baptism, by one who ascribes to a vision that could potentially doubt the veracity of the child's baptism.
Can you marry you Childs godfather?
yeah as long as you are not blood related godfather is not a legal thing it is a religious thing so there shouldn't be any problem with marrying your child's godfather
Should we attend our grandson's Lutheran Baptism - we are devout Catholics?
If one of your grandson's parents (in other words, your child) is a Catholic, even a lapsed Catholic, and he is obviously not bringing his child up in the faith, then I can see your problem. If both of your grandson's parents are protestants, then I don't see a problem with going to the baptism. Either way, you need to call your parish priest and get his take on the situation, only he can make a ruling for you. When talking to your priest and making your decision, you should keep in mind that if you really love your child and grandchild what would be the best for their eternal salvation, not temporary "feelings". You are in my prayers. You should ask yourself also, if this might cause such bad feelings with this family, how will you feel if they don't want to see or hear from you again. What if you never see this child again? Is this this the child's fault? If the parents want to baptize the child Lutheran that is their choice - you may not be happy with this, but you are free to attend the service if you so choose, without penalty, and that would be good for family unity.
Why does the baptism of Jesus cause problems for Christians today?
A:As long ago as the second century, the author of John's Gospel saw a problem in understanding Jesus as divine, yet seeking to be baptised by John the Baptist. He simply omitted the baptism of Jesus from his account of John the Baptist, although anyone familiar with the synoptic gospels would assume that Jesus was baptised. The same problem that the evangelist saw is now a problem for some Christians today.
What steps must be taken by a Methodist if they wish to marry under a Catholic rite?
"What steps must be taken by a Methodist if they wish to marry under a Catholic rite?" In my understanding the two faiths are similar in that Methodist call for change to a more conservative and liberal direction in faith. Whereas Catholics use a different language called "THE IDEA OF TOLERATION" which has two main principles concerning the existence of evil and not interfering with evil and allowing matters to run its course to determine the good of matters and for marriage catholics have sacraments. So when considering the two believe in practically the same virtues I think it is not necessarily a problem for persons from the two different faiths to marry. But it would be best for both to learn about eachothers faith through available classes and marriage counseling required for engaged couples in each respective church. However, regarding marriage catholics are extemely strict moreso than Methodist. Such as Methodist believe in Baptism as a sacrament (there may be more) and this sacrament is between the person and God, a covenant and marriage in their faith is a rite. In the Catholic Church marriage is a sacrament, but a binding covenant between man, woman and God. And it cannot be broken even by divorce (once you're in you're in for life). Therefore, a Catholic is required to enter into a sacramental marriage and the marriage must be performed in the Catholic Church. However, you can remain Methodist and marry a Catholic in a Catholic ceremony, nor do you have to convert to the faith, but you are required to promise that any children from the marriage will be raised Catholic. Best Wishes For The Future & Happy New Year!
How does Cinderella answer her problem?
Cinderella got out of the attic with the help of her mice friends Gus and Jacque. They sneaked the key out of the stepmother's pocket and carried it up the long flight of stairs to Cinderella.
Can a Lutheran pastor perform a wedding ceremony outside of a church?
As for ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) pastors, yes, they can perform wedding ceremonies outside of the church building. They cannot perform ceremonies outside of the church without God being present in the ceremony, but the location is not a problem. Pastors of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) and of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) can also perform wedding ceremonies outside of church buildings since people, and not buildings, are what make up the Church. However, they will not perform weddings in church buildings of denominations different from their own. Also, WELS pastors should not officiate at weddings in which they would share officiating duties with clergy from other denominations and faiths. Most LCMS pastors will decide dual faith/denomination ceremonies on an individual basis.
Can an Evangelist marry a Catholic?
Yes, though both of them, if they are serious about their faiths, they have to be both saved and believe similarly, or it just won't work. This can be really bad if both of them don't believe the same way, as they will fight over how the children are to be brought up and whether they will be Catholic or evangelical, though Catholics can be evangelical, but I have only heard of Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Pentacostal evangelicals. The Catholic church requires the other partner to join the Catholic church, and for the children to be brought up as Catholics. Obviously, this would create a problem for anyone who falls into the usual definition of evangelical.
Can a Catholic single mother have her baby baptized in the Catholic Church?
YES! The Catholic Church would NEVER refuse an innocent child that wishes to become a child of God! Sometimes a priest may DELAY (NEVER deny) a baptism if there is concern about the child being raised in the Catholic faith, but that should not be the case if the mother is Catholic.
If I am a C of E can I get my child christened Catholic?
Baptism (or 'Christening') of a child is the sacrament whereby the child is welcomed into the Christian church worldwide, and not into any particular denomination. One is not baptised a 'Catholic' a 'Methodist' or an 'Anglican'. One is baptised a Christian. Some denominations practice baptism of children (most notably Catholics), some only have adult baptism (Baptists) and some baptise both (Anglicans, Methodists). Some denominations do not have baptism at all (eg Salvationists) but have their own welcoming ceremony instead. So it makes not a scrap of difference whether or not your child is baptised a Catholic or an Anglican (despite what your Catholic priest might say!) - one is baptised into the Christian Church first and foremost. (Note that the only problem would come if the church into which they were baptised wasn't orthodox Christian - such as the Mormon Church, but that was not the question posed by the asker). So, if a member of any Christian denomination says that his or her baptism ceremony is more valid that anyone elses is not only telling an untruth, but going against all that Jesus himself taught. Baptism of your child into the Christian Church is what is important. The style of service that is used is a matter of personal preference but comes a very poor second. The main problem with Catholic baptism is that the Roman Catholic church considers itself the one, true, church (cf the Pope's statement earlier in 2008) - as do, of course, the Mormons, Moonies, and Jehovah's Witnesses (who is right then??). This is despite the heresies that the Catholic Church maintains, including purgatory, limbo, praying to saints, over-adulation of the Virgin Mary, celibacy of the priesthood and the infallibility of the Pope, as just a few examples, none of which are scriptural, and many of which are actually condemned (such as contacting the dead by praying to dead saints) by the Bible and stated in the Bible as abhorent to God. The Catholic excuse that these doctrines have been 'revealed' through tradition (similar to the heretical doctrines that have crept into, by revelation' what we regard nowadays as sects, and, if not based on the Bible and what scripture teaches, can be regarded as no more than vain invention by man). There is even a movement in the Catholic Church of making Mary 'co-redemptrix' with Jesus - ie also responsible for Human salvation, which goes contrary to all the Bible teaches. The Catholic Church, whilst still maintaining the arrogant view that it is still the 'one, true' church despite all these heresies and more, regards all other churches as other 'religions' despite the fact that the Catholic church is as far removed from the original Christian Church as many of the most heretical sects thoughout the last 2000 years. Thus, the Catholic Church will regard, wrongly, that baptism into the Catholic Church is the only true baptism, and that all true baptism is really Catholic baptism, despite the fact that other denominations practice valid baptism into the worldwide Christian Church. Baptism is a sacrament given to us and instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and not invented by the Catholic Church. So, what is important is baptism per se, not baptism in any particular denomination of church. Therefore for any deomination to suggest that its baptism is 'better' or 'more valid' or 'truer' than any other, or that its baptism is the baptism of the 'true' church is actually the height of arrogance, contrary to scripture, and rather abhorrent to God. === === You can have your child baptized in the Catholic Church provided you supply Catholic godparents who will raise the child according to the Catholic Faith. The Catholic Church believes in only one baptism: any valid baptism is a Christian baptism and since the Catholic Church identifies itself as the true Christian Church, any valid baptism is a Catholic baptism, regardless of the minister - even an atheist or someone in horrible mortal sins can validly baptize another in an emergency, and this baptism makes the soul a member of the Church. Thus every person who is validly baptized is baptized Catholic, regardless of minister or denomination and as such, the baptized is obliged to learn true Christian doctrine, the repository of which is contained in the Catholic Church of which the ministers have both the orders and authority to teach it. Contrary to the above position, it does matter in which Church one is baptized for if it is not in the true Church the child will grow up and lose the sanctifying grace supplied by the baptism by absorbing the religion that has taken the sacrament outside of the Church and learning heretical doctrines. As well, the means to grow and regain grace should it be lost through sin, that is the other sacraments, can only be provided by a validly ordained minister, and these will not be accessible to that soul.
How would a parent approach the issue of a 5 year old child who was baptized in a Pentecostal church being rebaptized in a Catholic ceremony?
You should discuss this with the Priest in the parish in which you want her to be baptized. If you are already Catholic, this should not be a big problem. If you are not, you may need to convert yourself. Chat with the priest and he'll take care of you. For the child there is no problem; because he does not understand any of this rituals. It's the parents because of their brain-washing that have problem. That's why the Amish don't baptize children. They wait until the child come of age where he now understand baptism And he can therefore opt to be baptized or reject it. I don't see any significance in baptism. Even Jesus himself did not baptize others. And if St. John, really believes that Jesus is god, then why did he continued with his ministry instead of following Jesus?
What has the author John Dunstan written?
John Dunstan has written: 'Soviet Education Under Perestroika' 'V.N. Soroka-Rosinsky, 1882-1960, Soviet teacher, in fact and fiction' -- subject(s): Educators, Education, Biography, Problem children, History 'The story of Methodism in Dore 1790-1907' -- subject(s): Methodist Church, Methodists
