Is Baptism by MCGI (Members Church of God International) Valid Christian Baptism? A Biblical and Catholic Perspective

Does the baptism performed by MCGI (Ang Dating Daan) count as valid Christian baptism in light of Scripture, apostolic tradition, and Catholic teaching? Explore biblical evidence, Church Fathers, historical development, and Catholic teaching on sacramental validity.

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Introduction

Baptism is the first and foundational sacrament of Christianity, commanded by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). It is the door to eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church.

The Catholic Church, entrusted with preserving apostolic faith, recognizes many baptisms outside her visible boundaries (Orthodox and many Protestant churches) as valid—provided they follow the proper matter, form, and intention.

But what about MCGI (Ang Dating Daan)? Are their baptisms valid in the eyes of Christ and His Church?

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Biblical Foundation of Baptism

• Command of Christ:
  “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.” (Matthew 28:19)

• Baptismal Effect:
  “He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)

• One Baptism for all Christians:
  “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5)

📌 Key Point: Baptism must use water, the Trinitarian formula, and the intention of incorporation into Christ’s Body.

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Apostolic and Patristic Teaching

• Didache (1st century): Baptize “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Didache 7).

• St. Justin Martyr (2nd century): Baptism brings “new birth” (First Apology, Ch. 61).

• St. Cyprian of Carthage (3rd century): Baptism outside Trinitarian faith is invalid.

• St. Augustine (4th century): Validity rests on form, matter, and intention—not holiness of minister (On Baptism, Against the Donatists).

📌 Conclusion: From the start, only Trinitarian baptism was accepted as valid.

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Catholic Teaching on Valid Baptism

• CCC 1256: Anyone may baptize with proper form, matter, and intention.

• CCC 1271: Baptism incorporates into Christ and His Church.

• CCC 1272: Baptism imprints an indelible character.

• Council of Trent (1547): Baptism outside the Trinity is invalid.

✅ Valid Baptism Requirements:

1. Matter: Water.

2. Form: Trinitarian formula (“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”).

3. Intention: To do what the Church does—incorporate into Christ’s Body.

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MCGI’s Baptismal Practice

• Origins: Founded in 1977 by Eli Soriano, continued by Daniel Razon.

• Beliefs:

  • Rejects the Trinity (denies God is Three Persons in One).

  • Jesus Christ is seen as subordinate, not co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.

  • Claims Catholic and Protestant baptisms are invalid.

• Baptismal Formula:

  • MCGI does not consistently use the Trinitarian formula.

  • Baptism is done into their sectarian body rather than into Christ’s universal Body.

📌 Analysis: Since MCGI rejects the Trinity and proper Christology, their baptism does not conform to the form and intention Christ commanded in Matthew 28:19.

 

Comparative Table: Validity of Baptism

Group	Uses Water	Trinitarian Formula	Intention (into Christ’s Body)	Valid?
Catholic Church	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Valid
Eastern Orthodox	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Valid
Mainline Protestant	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Valid
INC (1914)	✅ Yes	❌ No (denies Trinity)	❌ No	❌ Invalid
KJC (Quiboloy)	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ Invalid
MCGI (Ang Dating Daan)	✅ Yes	❌ No (rejects Trinity)	❌ No (into sect, not Church)	❌ Invalid

 

Historical Development

• Apostolic Age: Baptism commanded in Trinitarian formula (Matt 28:19).

• Early Church: Rejected heretical baptisms (Arians, modalists, Gnostics).

• Medieval Church: Clarified baptism validity independent of minister’s holiness.

• Council of Trent (1547): Upheld necessity of Trinitarian baptism.

• Modern Catholic Church: Recognizes Protestant baptisms but rejects baptisms from sects denying Trinity.

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Theological and Ecclesial Verdict

The Catholic Church teaches that MCGI baptisms are not valid Christian baptisms, because:

1. They deny the Trinity, the essential Christian doctrine.

2. They do not always use the Trinitarian formula.

3. Their intention is to incorporate into MCGI sectarian body, not Christ’s universal Church.

📌 Therefore: Any MCGI member who converts to Catholicism must receive valid baptism for the first time, since their previous baptism was invalid.

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Conclusion

Baptism is the gateway to salvation, and Christ Himself gave the Church the form and command to preserve it (Matthew 28:19). For a baptism to be valid, it must be done with water, the Trinitarian formula, and the proper intention.

• Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant baptisms are valid.

• MCGI, INC (1914), and KJC baptisms are invalid.

✅ Final Apologetic Point: Since MCGI rejects the Trinity and does not baptize into the true Body of Christ, its baptisms cannot be considered authentic Christian baptism rooted in Scripture and the Apostolic Age.

 

 

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• Can Protestants Baptize Validly? What the Bible, Church Fathers, and Catholic Teaching Reveal

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