Worship > Frequently Asked Questions

Should Lutherans Rebaptize Former Mormons Who Are Joining the Congregation?

The question is really three questions in one:

• Should Lutherans rebaptize?
• What do Mormons believe and practice regarding Baptism?
• What is the relationship between Baptism and joining the congregation?

Lutherans have been among those Christians who do not rebaptize. Rebaptism suggests that something needs to be repeated. For Lutherans, and for many other Christian churches as well, the promise of God in Christian Baptism is once for all and sufficient for anyone.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s statement on sacramental practices, The Use of the Means of Grace, makes this point strongly:

Principle 16 A person is baptized once. Because of the unfailing nature of God’s promise, and because of God’s once-for-all action in Christ. Baptism is not repeated.

Application 16B ‘Re-baptism’ is to be avoided since it causes doubt, focusing attention on the always-failing adequacy of our action or our faith. Baptized persons who come to new depth of conviction in faith are invited to an Affirmation of Baptism in the life of the congregation.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints poses an interesting test case for us. In Luther’s day, questions concerning the validity of Baptism usually related to the liturgical ingredients of the ceremony. Few groups claiming to be Christian but unrecognized by the church catholic were baptizing. So Luther identifies two chief parts in the sacrament: water and God’s Word:

What is Baptism? Baptism is not merely water, but it is water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s Word.

What is this Word of God? As recorded in Matthew 28:19, our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Small Catechism)

Today, we ask more than "Was water used?" and "Were the words ‘Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’ used?" Our concern must focus on faithfulness to the Word of God. When Christians baptize, they do so trusting that God will act to join the baptized to the life of the Holy Trinity—one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This faith is found where a genuine Christian Baptism has occurred. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does not hold the traditional Christian teaching about the Holy Trinity. Rather, it seems to treat each person of the Tinity as a separate deity. Because the faith of the church is different from Mormon teaching, whether or not Mormon baptism is a Christian Baptism is a valid question. "Outside the context of trinitarian life and teaching no Christian Baptism takes place, whatever liturgical formula may be used." (The Use of the Means of Grace, application 24D)

The last statement moves us beyond issues about the liturgical rite and points us to consider the teaching of the church and its faith in a trinitarian God. Although Mormons may use water–-and lots of it–-and while they may say "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," their teaching about the nature of God is substantially different from that of orthodox, creedal Christianity. Because the Mormon understanding of the Word of God is not the same as the Christian understanding, it is correct to say that Christian Baptism has not taken place. A former Mormon joining an ELCA congregation may be offered Christian Baptism (not rebaptism).

This answer poses a difficult pastoral question. If a former Mormon is anxious to embrace orthodox Christian teaching and practice and is looking to make a radical break from former memberships, then the invitation to Christian Baptism is likely to be welcomed. On the other hand, former Mormons seeking to maintain continuity with Mormonism may see the suggestion that they are not baptized or have not been Christian as an attack on who they have understood themselves to be.

Finding a way to welcome former Mormons who are not ready for a complete break with their past fellowship may require a gentle and loving pastoral hand. Maintaining the integrity of God’s act in Baptism as well as careful pastoral care are both required.

There may be occasions when people are uncertain about whether or not they have been baptized. Pastors, after supportive conversation and pastoral discernment, may choose to proceed with the baptism. The practice of this church and its congregations needs to incorporate the person into the community and its ongoing catechesis and to proclaim the sure grace of God in Christ, avoiding any sense of Baptism being repeated. (The Use of the Means of Grace, application 16C)

The third issue raised by this question has to do with Baptism and membership in a Lutheran congregation. Baptism marks the relationship between individuals, the church universal, and a particular congregation.

In Baptism people become members not only of the Church universal but of a particular congregation. Therefore all baptisms are entered into the permanent records of the congregation and certificates are issued at the time of the administration of the sacrament. (The Use of the Means of Grace, principle 29)

We understand that the particular congregation is the front line of the church for sacramental practices.

Candidates for Holy Baptism, sponsors, and an ordained minister called by the Church gather together with the congregation for the celebration of Baptism within the corporate worship of the Church. (The Use of the Means of Grace, principle 21)

Baptism also welcomes the baptized person to Holy Communion.

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized. (The Use of the Means of Grace, principle 37)

Preparing persons to join the congregation who are coming from other faith traditions means carefully instructing them in the sacraments.

Resources

The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament. Chicago: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 1997. Order number 3-3500, $4.95.

This document may be reproduced for use in your congregation as long as the copyright notice appears on each copy.