Baptism and Confirmation (priests, rituals, tradition, churches, bible)

[michel]

Porchop's thread on "Church membership", and Terry's post made me wonder about something of which I am unclear.

My mother was Curch of England, and had me baptised as a baby (as it happens, I was Baptised by - I believe a Protestant Clergyman, in a church of another faith. In Africa, one couldn't be "picky")

When, at Boarding school, at the age of about thirteen or fourteen, I was pused into a group of lads my age, who received their first communion.

What I would like are your views on the "validity" of the baptism and first communion - I was hardly a "pro active participant" at either ceremony.

I have been to C of E services, and have received communion, but the entire subject of my "Religious Status" (for want of a better expression) seems to me lacking.

I dare say that I could ask to be baptised again, and receive first communion - as a "new" re-affirming Christian.

What would you guys recommend?

[lombas]

I regard baptism as something of the mind. If you want to literally "wash" you(r sins away), by all means do so. And of course some communities ask it.

Communion is something else. It has to do with more than just a mental state, it's plain study. Study of the Bible, the history of the Christian community, the rituals &c. I went through all three things, baptism, first communion and confirmation - because it was mandatory for pupils at my Jesuit school, and I do see a difference between the three.

There's nothing wrong with re-affirming your 'vows', so to speak, certainly not when you deem it important. The first thing I would do is visit the (in your case) local vicar and ask his or her advise.

In any case, good luck.

[Terrywoodenpic]

I doubt very much Your mother would have had you baptised in a Church unacceptable to the Anglican Faith. ( records are always kept, so if you know where you were living you should be able to find out )

Was it a Church of England School... At that time, you could not have been given Communion if you were not confirmed. As it was a Batch of boys It sound like a Confirmation service... though British Methodists also tend to Give first communion in their schools in batches... But as they don't have Bishops they don't have a confirmation service as such.

these restrictions are no longer the case ... any baptised person can take Communion.... even those baptised in other churches. ( Clergy often say all those who are accustomed to taking communion in their own churches may come up.)

So any which way, you could take Communion in an Anglican Church.

[michel]

Originally Posted by lombas

I regard baptism as something of the mind. If you want to literally "wash" you(r sins away), by all means do so. And of course some communities ask it.

Communion is something else. It has to do with more than just a mental state, it's plain study. Study of the Bible, the history of the Christian community, the rituals &c. I went through all three things, baptism, first communion and confirmation - because it was mandatory for pupils at my Jesuit school, and I do see a difference between the three.

There's nothing wrong with re-affirming your 'vows', so to speak, certainly not when you deem it important. The first thing I would do is visit the (in your case) local vicar and ask his or her advise.

In any case, good luck.

Thank you kindly. Unfortunately, I did once approach my local vicar, and we seemed to be talking different languages. Maybe I am beingvery unfair and judgemental, but most of the vicars I have seen seem to be "production line clones" who spout the same (to me) unhelpful responses.

I do actually re-affirming my 'vows' daily (unless I forget ), by reciting and "emoting" the apostle's creed. I guess maybe my question was a silly one, but I was interested in how people would respond.........

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by michel

Thank you kindly. Unfortunately, I did once approach my local vicar, and we seemed to be talking different languages. Maybe I am beingvery unfair and judgemental, but most of the vicars I have seen seem to be "production line clones" who spout the same (to me) unhelpful responses.

I do actually re-affirming my 'vows' daily (unless I forget ), by reciting and "emoting" the apostle's creed. I guess maybe my question was a silly one, but I was interested in how people would respond.........

Confirmation is now totally unnecessary as a prelude to taking Communion in the Church of England.
It is only necessary to Understand the significance of the sacrament and to have been Baptised.
You qualify on Both Counts.
Some older priests have not yet accepted the Churches position, and frankly do not understand the reasoning behind it. That is their problem not Yours.
You neither need to ask their opinion or accept their personal reply.
The Church has collectively made the decision to revert to the ancient tradition of giving communion to all who are baptised.

[Vassal]

First you should ask yourself why you are considering being baptized again. Do you want to be baptized again because you've never been baptized of your own will, or are you doing it because you want it to change your "social status" in some way? Keep Romans 2:29 in mind:

Romans 2:29 (NLT) A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.