What is Baptism
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life; it is the gate way to life in the Spirit. Through Baptism we are freed of sin and reborn sons of God.
To Baptize means to “plunge” or “immerse”, the “plunge” into the water symbolized the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him as “a new creature” as said in 2 Corinthians 5:17
there is a new creation:
the old creation has gone,
and now the new one is here.”
Baptism is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one “can enter the kingdom of God.” The Gospel of John 3:5 says
‘I tell you most solemnly,
unless a man is born through water and the Spirit,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God:’”
In John 1:9 it’s says “the Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world.” Through this enlightenment the person baptized becomes a “son of light,” indeed, he becomes “light” himself. Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift………..We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth seal, and most precious gift.
- Gift………..because it conferred on those who bring nothing of there own.
- Grace……..since it is given even to the guilty.
- Baptism…...because sin is buried in the water.
- Anointing…for it is priestly and royal as those who are anointed.
- Enlightenment….because it radiates light.
- Clothing…..since it veils our shame.
- Bath……….because it washes.
- Seal………..as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.
Christ Baptism
Jesus began his public life by voluntarily submitted himself to be baptize by St. John, that which is intended for sinners in order to “fulfill all righteousness”. As said in Matthew3:13 “then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.” This gesture of Jesus is a manifestation of his self emptying. For in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians 2:7
to assume the condition of a slave,
and become as men are;
and being as all men are,”
From the beginning of creation God breathed his Spirit over the water making them the wellspring of holiness that was the first creation, then through Jesus who is the new creation the Father revealed Jesus as his “beloved son.” As we see in Matthew 3:16-17
he came up from the water,
and suddenly the heavens opened
and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove
and coming down on him.
And a voice spoke from heaven,
‘This is my Son the Beloved;
my favor rest on him.’”
In his Passover Jesus opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. As he had already spoken of his Passion to his apostles that he was to suffer death. His death was the baptism for all creation. Mark 10:38 says,
Jesus said to them.
Can you drink the cup
That I must drink,
or baptized with the Baptism
with which I must be baptized?”
Luke puts it in a different way, if you look in Luke 12:50
I must receive
and how great
is my distress till it is over!”
Through the crucified Jesus the blood and water that flowed from his pierced body are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of the new life. In John 19:34
his side with a lance;
and immediately there came
out water and blood.”
In 1John5:6-8 we read,
not by water only
but with water and blood;
with the Spirit as another witness-
since the Spirit is the truth-
So that there are three witnesses,
the Spirit, the water and the blood
and all three of them agree.”
Because of his death it is now possible “to be born of water and the Spirit” in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. As we see in John3:5
‘I tell you most solemnly
unless a man is born through water and the Spirit
he cannot enter the kingdom of God:’”
The Baptism of Adults
During the time of Jesus baptism was given to the adult which was the common practice at that time as it was to the adults that the Good News was proclaimed. We have to realize that those who come into the faith should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the evangelical virtues, and also be introduced to a life of faith, liturgy and charity for the People of God by successive sacred rites.
The Baptism of Infants
As a baby we are born with a fallen human nature and stained by original sin because of the disobedience of our first parent Adam and Eve, and therefore through baptism we are freed of the power of darkness and brought into the light and freedom of the children of God to which all men are called. As we se in Colossians 1:12-14
who has made it possible
for you to join the saints
and with them to inherit the light.
Because that is what he has done;
he has taken us out of the power of darkness
and created a place for us
in the kingdom of his Son
that he loves,
and in him,
we gain our freedom,
the forgiveness of our sins.”
The Necessity of Baptism
Remember That Jesus said to his apostles as we see in Matthew 28:19-20
baptize them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.
And know that I am with you always;
yes, to the end of time.”
Through his words we realize that Baptism is necessary for salvation. The church must keep the mission given by Jesus and to make sure that all who can be baptize are “reborn of water and the Holy Spirit.” As was explained in “What is Baptism.” Therefore salvation is bound to the sacrament of Baptism. Those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without receiving Baptism are baptize by there death for and with Christ. This Baptism of Blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament. Children who die before receiving Baptism they are entrusted to the mercy of God, for Jesus said in Mark 10:14
he was indignant and said to them,
‘Let the little children come to me;
do not stop them;
for it is to such as these
that the kingdom of God belongs.”
The Grace of Baptism
The effects of Baptism are signified by the immersion in water symbolized not only death and purification but also regeneration and renewal as was said in "What is Baptism.” As written in Acts 2:38
‘and every one of you
must be baptize in the name
of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of sin,
and you will received
the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Through Baptism all sins are forgiven including original and all personal sins as well as all punishment for those sins. Therefore through this forgiveness we are reborn and nothing would impede our entry into God’s kingdom. Certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death, and frailties inherent in life weaknesses of character. The inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence: that is the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. In 1John 2:16
-the sensual body,
the lustful eye,
pride in possessions-
could ever come from the Father
but only from the world;”
It is left to us to wrestle with those inclinations, no harm can come to us once we do not consent to them, but manfully resist them by the grace of Jesus Christ.
Baptism makes us a “new creature and adopted sons of God, we have become a partaker of the divine nature.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17there is a new creation;
the old creation has gone,
and now the new one is here.”
We become a member of Christ and a coheir with him, as we see in Romans 8:17
we are heirs as well:
heirs of God and coheirs with Christ,
sharing his sufferings
so as to share his glory.”
The Holy Trinity gives those who are baptized sanctifying grace of justification.
- To love, to believe, to hope in God.
- To live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- To grow in goodness through moral values.
Therefore the root of the whole organism of Christian supernatural life is in Baptism.