Question - Methodist and CofE

[Truth_Faith13]

I know that the Methodist Church was originally part of the Church of England or Anglican communion. However what I want to know is, is there much difference in the doctrines between Church of England and Methodist? Is it still part of the Anglican Communion and just not CofE? When I was a baby I was christened Methodist, now I know the LDS Church does not accept this baptism and likewise the Methodist Church wouldn't recognise my LDS baptism. However does the Church of England recognise the Methodist baptism and visa versa? Thanks

 

[Dunemeister]

The CofE will recognize the baptism of anyone who comes from the historical Christian faith, rooted in tradition. Thus they'll accept Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic,...... Revivalist churches' baptisms (JW, LDS, etc.), however, would not be viewed as authentic.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

The CofE will recognize the baptism of anyone who comes from the historical Christian faith, rooted in tradition. Thus they'll accept Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic,...... Revivalist churches' baptisms (JW, LDS, etc.), however, would not be viewed as authentic.

Ok, thanks, as I have been baptised LDS most recently, would they see me as LDS, or would they take my earlier christening (methodist) into consideration?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The CofE will recognize the baptism of anyone who comes from the historical Christian faith, rooted in tradition. Thus they'll accept Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic,...... Revivalist churches' baptisms (JW, LDS, etc.), however, would not be viewed as authentic.

Does the C of E have the same view about baptism as the Catholic Church*?

*i.e. once baptized, always baptized; anyone can do it; has to be of the proper form (in the name of the whole Trinity, not just Jesus, and has to involve water on the skin) and done with the proper intent.

In any case, I'd assume that joining the C of E as an adult would have more to it than just being baptized as a child, right?

 

[Dunemeister]

Does the C of E have the same view about baptism as the Catholic Church*?

*i.e. once baptized, always baptized; anyone can do it; has to be of the proper form (in the name of the whole Trinity, not just Jesus, and has to involve water on the skin) and done with the proper intent.

In any case, I'd assume that joining the C of E as an adult would have more to it than just being baptized as a child, right?

Yeah, it's extremely similar. Trinitarian formula and all that jazz. If you want to join the church as an adult, there is no formal procedure if you're coming from another historical tradition, such as catholicism, Baptist, or whatever, although it's highly suggested to take cathechism classes so you know what's going on in worship and polity. If you come from outside the historic faith (atheist, JW, Bhuddist, etc.), you need to undergo cathechism (which explains all the ins and outs of the Anglican expression of Christianity) and adult baptism/confirmation (rolled into one).

 

[Dunemeister]

Ok, thanks, as I have been baptised LDS most recently, would they see me as LDS, or would they take my earlier christening (methodist) into consideration?

Your LDS baptism invalidates your previous Christian baptism. You have to understand that mainstream historic Christianity regards LDS as heresy, so if you wanted to participate with a Methodist or Anglican Church, you'd literally have to convert.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Your LDS baptism invalidates your previous Christian baptism. You have to understand that mainstream historic Christianity regards LDS as heresy, so if you wanted to participate with a Methodist or Anglican Church, you'd literally have to convert.

Thought so, Thanks!

 

[Kathryn]

Your LDS baptism invalidates your previous Christian baptism. You have to understand that mainstream historic Christianity regards LDS as heresy, so if you wanted to participate with a Methodist or Anglican Church, you'd literally have to convert.

OK wait a minute - is this Methodist doctrine? I am Methodist and this doesn't ring a bell.

I used to be Roman Catholic and I know this would not be the case. The Catholic church teaches that any Trinitarian baptism is valid. You can't "undo" a baptism.

Dune I am not challenging this - I am just asking for a reference so I can look it up myself.

 

[Dunemeister]

OK wait a minute - is this Methodist doctrine? I am Methodist and this doesn't ring a bell.

I used to be Roman Catholic and I know this would not be the case. The Catholic church teaches that any Trinitarian baptism is valid. You can't "undo" a baptism.

Dune I am not challenging this - I am just asking for a reference so I can look it up myself.

Hmm, you may be right. Perhaps in the case of a Christian who defected to another faith and then returned, the original baptism would be valid, but the person might have to undergo a confirmation/chrismation of some sort where they can reaffirm their original commitment. Does that sound more right?

 

[Kathryn]

Hmm, you may be right. Perhaps in the case of a Christian who defected to another faith and then returned, the original baptism would be valid, but the person might have to undergo a confirmation/chrismation of some sort where they can reaffirm their original commitment. Does that sound more right?

OK, I found this on a UMC site called "Worship." GBOD | Equipping World-Changing Disciples

United Methodists recognize the baptism of "believers only" traditions, provided those traditions baptize people in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as generally understood in historic Christianity. We offer baptism to people of all ages who have not previously received Christian baptism in any form. We do not rebaptize those who have already received Christian baptism in any form.

Whew!

 

[lunamoth]

Your LDS baptism invalidates your previous Christian baptism. You have to understand that mainstream historic Christianity regards LDS as heresy, so if you wanted to participate with a Methodist or Anglican Church, you'd literally have to convert.

This is incorrect. There is only a need for one baptism and as Kathyrn siad you can't 'undo' a baptism.

 

[lunamoth]

Hmm, you may be right. Perhaps in the case of a Christian who defected to another faith and then returned, the original baptism would be valid, but the person might have to undergo a confirmation/chrismation of some sort where they can reaffirm their original commitment. Does that sound more right?

No, they do not need to be reconfirmed if they have already been baptized and confirmed in any Trinitarian church. If they have not been confirmed they can do that but they do not need another baptism. If an adult has been confirmed but is returning later in life to the church then they are welcome to take the catechism classes and anything else they wish to deepen their understanding of the faith, but no other sacrament is necessary.

 

[Theocan]

OK wait a minute - is this Methodist doctrine? I am Methodist and this doesn't ring a bell.

I used to be Roman Catholic and I know this would not be the case. The Catholic church teaches that any Trinitarian baptism is valid. You can't "undo" a baptism.

Dune I am not challenging this - I am just asking for a reference so I can look it up myself.

Well the LDS don't believe in the Trinity.... therefore no "Trinitarian" baptism.

 

[Dunemeister]

No, they do not need to be reconfirmed if they have already been baptized and confirmed in any Trinitarian church. If they have not been confirmed they can do that but they do not need another baptism. If an adult has been confirmed but is returning later in life to the church then they are welcome to take the catechism classes and anything else they wish to deepen their understanding of the faith, but no other sacrament is necessary.

Well blow me dry and call me dusty. Thanks for the clarification on that, it's really helpful, lunamoth!

 

[Kathryn]

Well the LDS don't believe in the Trinity.... therefore no "Trinitarian" baptism.

True, but in the original post, the writer said that they had been "christened in the Methodist church" originally.

The Methodist church does not christen anyone. They baptise infants, children, and adults. So this was a baptism, not a christening.

Later, the writer was baptised in the LDS church. This is a non-issue to the Methodist church. It's not a trinitarian baptism - you're right about that. If the writer had ONLY been baptised in the LDS church, then we'd have another issue, but in this case, the trinitarian infant baptism is valid.

 

[Darkwater]

My youngest son is to be christened tomorrow(Church of Scotland),by the minister who baptised his mother,her father & even married her parents.

For me a christening just marks the new babies passage from darkness to tHE aLTAR oF gOD(or light),it is very important that he is surrounded by love by loving family/friends to mark his passage.

My big hope for him is that he returns to the void(when his time comes to do so) less frightened than when he entered nearly 12 weeks ago,thrives wherever he lands & continues to thrive.

I love a christening.

 

[Kathryn]

My youngest son is to be christened tomorrow(Church of Scotland),by the minister who baptised his mother,her father & even married her parents.

For me a christening just marks the new babies passage from darkness to tHE aLTAR oF gOD(or light),it is very important that he is surrounded by love by loving family/friends to mark his passage.

My big hope for him is that he returns to the void(when his time comes to do so) less frightened than when he entered nearly 12 weeks ago,thrives wherever he lands & continues to thrive.

I love a christening.

CONGRATS on your son's christening! What a special time for your family!!!

 

[Darkwater]

I'm just leaving right now to be with them.A wee party after church is costing me £400 which is less than Gregor's(age 3) monthly childminder,which I am saving as long as my wife is off on maternity leave.......In saying that,childminder costs are on par with the payments I used to make on my RX8 (boo-hoo)

None of my lifetime buddies have produced a daughter either,all sons.We just want one so as we can interview her boyfriends in order to establish their intentions/prospects & leave them perfectly clear on where they stand.heh heh heh.

Much love,

DW

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Just realised I never thanked you guys for your responses. Thankyou!:bow:

I have found my nearest Church of England and I am going on 14th December for my first time ever! arrgghh, I am scared! But I thought I needed to speak to someone face to face!

Someone from another forums has kindly offered to pre-warn them I am going as I am scared of phones!

I have no idea what to expect though. I thought I would go to the "family friendly" one has it sounds less scary! and having kids there may make me feel more at ease!

Anything I should know?

 

[lunamoth]

I've never been to England, but I attend an Episcopal Church. Our congregation is smallish but we have a ton of families and kids, so there is a lot going on. I think you've made a good choice to go to a "family friendly" one.

Our church is quite welcoming, but it can happen that new people come and are not noticed right away, especially if there is a lot going on (like now during Advent). I try to notice new people myself and introduce myself to them, make them feel welcome. This sometimes means I embarrass myself by asking long-time members if they recently moved to the area.

Usually after the service people kind of line up and shake the priest's hand as they go out. If you see that happening I'd say go for it and join in the line. It's a good place to talk to the people in line next to you and also let the priest know you were there, that you are newly visiting the church, etc..

As for the service itself, it will probably be a lot like a Catholic Mass. I've also been to Methodist services one or twice, and they also seem to follow a similar format except that the Eucharist is not always done.

You've been baptized so you can take the Eucharist if you want. Just hold your hands up for the bread. If you want just a blessing you can go up to the altar and just cross your ams. If you don't want to go up feel free to just stay in your seat without worry.

Also, in our church the children (up to third grade) can choose to go to a children's service where the same Gospel reading is done but then there is discussion & activity aimed at them, so they don't have to sit through the longer readings and sermons. Parents can choose to go with their kids to the Children's Chapel. All return before the second part of the serivce when the Eucharist is done.

I hope you have a good experience!

Cheers,
Laurie