Baptism

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” - Gospel of John 3:5 -

The Sacrament of Salvation Definition: Baptism is a sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, we are cleansed from all sin, re-born, and sanctified in Christ to life everlasting. The word baptism comes from the Greek which means: “a dipping in/under water”, or, “washing”. The word baptism comes from the Greek which means: “a dipping in/under water”, or, “washing”. The baptism of St. John the Baptist was not a sacrament, only an external sign of repentance. The baptism of St. John the Baptist was not a sacrament, only an external sign of repentance. Acts 19:5 says that those who had been baptized by John needed to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. Acts 19:5 says that those who had been baptized by John needed to be baptized with the baptism of Christ.

The Outward Sign of Baptism The outward sign: consists in the washing with water and the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” The outward sign: consists in the washing with water and the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Remote Matter: pure, natural water. Any liquid which can be regarded as no longer retaining the quality of water would not suffice. Remote Matter: pure, natural water. Any liquid which can be regarded as no longer retaining the quality of water would not suffice. Proximate Matter: consists in the application of water in one of three ways. Proximate Matter: consists in the application of water in one of three ways.

Proximate Matter – 3 Ways 1. Immersion: by dipping (or dunking) the person in the water. 2. Aspersion: by sprinkling the person with water. 3. Infusion: by pouring the water over the head or the body of the person. The last method (infusion) is the one most commonly used. The last method (infusion) is the one most commonly used. In the Roman Rite, the water should be poured over the head three times. In the Roman Rite, the water should be poured over the head three times.

The Form Consists in the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Consists in the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” In Latin: Ego te baptizo, in Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. In Latin: Ego te baptizo, in Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. The words must be said at the same time that the water is being poured and by the same person who pours it. The words must be said at the same time that the water is being poured and by the same person who pours it. Conditional Baptism: If there is a doubt, say “If you are not baptized, I baptize you, etc.” Conditional Baptism: If there is a doubt, say “If you are not baptized, I baptize you, etc.”

The Minister of the Sacrament Ordinary Minister: a bishop or priest. Ordinary Minister: a bishop or priest. Extraordinary minister: a deacon Extraordinary minister: a deacon In case of necessity: (i.e., in danger of death) anyone, even a heretic or a pagan, as long as they have the proper intention to do what the Church requires. In case of necessity: (i.e., in danger of death) anyone, even a heretic or a pagan, as long as they have the proper intention to do what the Church requires.

The Effects of the Sacrament

Six Primary Effects Effect #1: destroys original sin and (for adults) all actual sins committed before baptism. Effect #1: destroys original sin and (for adults) all actual sins committed before baptism. “Do penance and be baptized every one of you for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (St. Peter in Acts 2:38) Effect #2: Remits all punishment due to sin, i.e., no purification in Purgatory necessary. Effect #2: Remits all punishment due to sin, i.e., no purification in Purgatory necessary.  Those who die immediately after baptism go straight to Heaven.

Effects, cont. Effect #3: Confers sanctifying grace, and infuses the 3 Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity), the 4 Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance), as well as the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost (wisdom, science, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, the fear of the Lord). Effect #3: Confers sanctifying grace, and infuses the 3 Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity), the 4 Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance), as well as the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost (wisdom, science, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, the fear of the Lord). Effect #4: special sacramental graces to (1) persevere in grace until death, (2) fight against temptations to sin, and (3) fulfill the duties of a Christian. Effect #4: special sacramental graces to (1) persevere in grace until death, (2) fight against temptations to sin, and (3) fulfill the duties of a Christian.

Effects, cont. Effect #5: confers a sacramental character, the mark of Christ, on our soul identifying us as children of God with the right to enter into Heaven. Effect #5: confers a sacramental character, the mark of Christ, on our soul identifying us as children of God with the right to enter into Heaven. Effect #6: makes us members of Jesus Christ and of His holy Church, sharers in the Priesthood of Christ. Effect #6: makes us members of Jesus Christ and of His holy Church, sharers in the Priesthood of Christ.  “Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” (I Corinthians 6:15)  “Christ has made us unto our God a kingdom of priests.” (Apocalypse 5:10)