BAPTISM
Catechism
#1213-1284
CPPooleJr
January 8, 2000; revised July 12, 2005
1. Old testament events
2. New testament events
3. Necessity and types of baptism
4. Baptismal rite
5. Effects of baptism
6. Conversion
1. Old Testament Events
Adam and
Eve sinned; their descendants inherited
original sin and a fallen nature
A new start
was made with Noah and the flood
Covenant
with Abraham and his descendants
Exodus from
Egypt through waters of the red sea
2. New Testament Events
John's
baptism of repentance in the Jordan river Mk 1: 4
Jesus
starts his mission with baptism by John
'This is my beloved son' Mt 3:13-15
Passion and
death 'there is a baptism that I still
must receive' Lk 12: 50
Jesus' final commission: 'Go, therefore, make
disciples
of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son. and of the Holy Spirit'
Mt 28:19,20
Paul's
writings: 'put on the new nature' Col 3: 9,
'No longer be enslaved by sin' Rom 6:
6
3. Necessity and Types of Baptism
'No one can
enter the kingdom of God without being born
again
of water and the spirit' (to Nicodemus) Jn 3: 5;
'Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved'
Mk 16:16
God 'wishes
all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of
the truth' 1 Tim 2: 4
Baptism
of desire, those
ignorant of the gospel who seek
the truth and try to do God's will as
they know it
Baptism
of blood, unbaptized martyrs automatically
receive
fruits of regular baptism by water
4. Baptismal Rite
Essentials: pouring
water three times, saying
"I baptize you - in the name of the Father,
- and of the Son, - and of the Holy
Spirit"
Other parts
of the rite (some are optional) :
blessing of the water
renunciation of sin
profession of faith
anointing with chrism
investing with white garment
presentation of a lighted candle
5. Effects of Baptism
All sins
are forgiven: original sin, and all personal sins,
as well as all punishment for sin
CCC#1265
Forgiveness
of all prior personal sins
Imparting
of permanent character on soul (baptism
can be received only once)
The inclination
to sin (concupiscence) remains
Baptized
persons become members of the Church
become eligible to receive other
sacraments
6. Conversion
The Church
accepts as valid the baptisms
of most mainline Protestant churches
Conditional
baptism is
conferred on the already baptized
persons when validity of their earlier
baptism
cannot be proved
Unbaptized
persons preparing to join the Church are
called catechumens
Persons in
preparation who are already baptized
are called candidates