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I.INTRODUCTIONTOTHESACRAMENTS
A.WhytheSacraments?• SinanditsConsequences
o AdamandEvewerecreatedinperfection–withinthemselvesandtheirrelationshipwithGod.§ Theyhadself-mastery,inwhichtheirintellectandwill(spiritualfaculties)controlledthe
passionsanddesiresofthebody.(ReadCCC377)o However,AdamandEvesaid‘no’toGod.TheyplacedthemselvesaboveGodand‘triedtobe
thecreatorinsteadofthecreature.’Thisdesiretobeourownmasters,todecidegoodandevilforourselves,istherootofthefirstsinandeveryoneafterit.
o Aswell,their‘no’toGodwasfueledbyadistrustinGod’sgoodness.St.JohnPaulIIsaidthattherootofeverysinisa‘distrustintheFatherhoodofGod.’WhenSatantemptsAdamandEve,heisessentiallysaying,“GodisnotwhoyouthinkHeis.Heisatyrant,lookingtoholdthingsbackfromyousoHecanbeincontrol.”AdamandEvebelievedhislieandatefromthetree.
o However,inGenesis3:15,theprotoevangelium,GodpromisesaRedeemerinChrist.• Jesus
o InthesendingofhisSonJesus,Godseeksustofreeusfromtheslaveryofsin;Heseekstomakepossibleagainoureternalsalvation–whichwaslosttousbecauseofsin.
o HisLife,Death,andResurrectionaccomplishthismission(oursalvation).• TheSacraments
o WhenJesusascendedintoheaven,HedidnotleaveusaloneorwithouthelptogettoheavenandbewithHim.Hedidnotleaveusbrokenandwoundedsinnerswithouthope.InsteadHelefthisChurch,andgavehisChurchtheSacraments,whicharethegreattorrentsofgracethatgiveuslife,aid,holiness,healingandeverythingelseweareinneedof.
o WhenJesuswashereonearth,hedidnotwriteaBible.Infact,Hedidnotwriteanything.SowhatdidHeleaveuswith?HeleftuswithhislivingChurch.How?
§ Hemade12menitsleadersandsentthemintotheworldtogatherhischildren.§ HegavehisChurch‘sourcesofgrace’–gracesthatbringussalvation,healus,andmake
uswhole.ThesearetheSacraments.§ TheChurch’slifeisbasedontheSacraments.
B.WhataretheSacraments?
• SacramentcomesfromtheLatinwordsacramentum.InancientRome,thiswasasacredoathtoemperor,promisingtodevoteone’swholelifetotheempireandfellowsoldiers.TheyweretransformedintosomethinggreaterwithamissionvitaltotheRomanEmpire.
o Catholicsalsobelievethatthesacramentstransformusintosomethinggreater.WearemadeintoimagoChristi,anotherChrist.WebecomepartoftheChurch,andwearegivenamissiontosavesoulsandtransformtheworld.
• DefinitionfromCCC1131–“Anefficacioussignofgrace,institutedbyChristandentrustedtotheChurch,bywhichdivinelifeisdispensedtousthroughtheworkoftheHolySpirit.”
o Signs
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§ Ashumanbeings,wearematerialbeingswhogetinformationthroughoursenses.Wetouchthings,seethem,hearthem,tastethem,etc.Thisishowwegetalltheinformationfromtheworld.
§ Therefore,Godrevealshimselfthroughthematerialworld,throughvisibleandtangiblesigns.Herevealshimselftohumansinahumanway(Noahandtherainbow,Mosesandtablets,etc).Heevenbecomesoneofus.
• ThisiswhyChristhimselfisaSacramentoftheFather.Christmakesvisible(asahumanbeing)theinvisibleFather.
• TheChurchisaSacramentofChristbecausetheChurch(presentasavisibleorganizationandvisiblepeople)makesvisibletheinvisibleChrist(whoisnowinheaven).
§ Allthesacramentshaveamaterialsign(water,bread,wine,etc.)§ Thesacramentshavealsobeendescribedasthe“visiblesignofGod’sinvisiblegrace.”
• Thevisiblepartofthesacrament‘hides’theinvisiblerealitybehindit.• Inbaptism,weseethewater,butdonotseethesoulbeingcleansedofsin.• IntheEucharist,weseethebread,butwedonotseetheBodyofChrist.• Christisthesameway–weseethevisibleman,butdonotseetheinvisibleGod.• Theyareboth“human”(visible)and“divine”(invisible)justlikeChrist.
§ Theyactexopereoperato(“bytheveryfactoftheactionsbeingperformed”)–thismeansthatthey“work”nomatterwhat.Thepersongivingthemdoesnothavetobeholy,northepersonreceivingthem.(CCC1128)
§ Thismeansthatnomatterwhat–iftheyaredonecorrectly–theygivethegracestheyareintendedtogive.
• However,wecanblockthereceptionofgrace:o byourlackoffaitho byourlackofrepentanceo byacontrarywill–inotherwords,wedonotwanttoreceivethem.
• Thefruitsofthesacramentsinourownheartsdependonourowndispositionsinreceivingthem.
o SignsofGrace§ Grace-thepowerandloveofGodactinginourlives.ItisGod’sgifttous–thegiftofhis
veryself–thatallowsustobehealed,tobeholy,andtobesharersinhisdivinelife.§ Graceisgiventoallpeopleatalltimes.Itleadsustothequestion–howdoesgraceget
inthesoul?§ ActualGrace
• Giventousanytime,allthetime.Theyhelpusdogoodworks,makegoodchoices,overcometemptations,etc.Theypromptustowardgoodness.
• Itdoesnotforceustomakegoodchoices,butgivesusthegracetoactuallydoso.Thegraceisalwaysavailabletous,butwemustchoosetoacceptitandrespond.
§ SanctifyingGrace• Definition:“Astableandsupernaturaldispositionthatperfectsthesoulitselfto
enabletoliveswithGod,toactbyhislove.”• SanctifyinggracesmakeitpossibletoshareinGod’sowndivinelife.Itmakes
unionwithGodandheavenpossible.Withoutsanctifyinggrace,wecannotpartake(sharein)hisdivinelife.
o Anexamplethatmighthelpusunderstand:Ournaturalorbiologicallifeisgiventousbyourparents.Withthislife,weareabletolivehereon
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earth.Imagine,however,thatwewantedtofly.Onourown,wearenotcapableofflying.Weneedsomesortofhelporaidtodoso.Sanctifyinggraceislike‘wings’oran‘airplane’ofsorts,thatgivesusthecapacityto‘fly’orhavethesupernatural/divineofGod.Itisimpossiblewithourownnaturalcapacities–weneedagiftthatonlyGodcangive.
o Thissupernaturallifeallowsustoaccomplishthingsbeyondournormalcapabilities.TheSaintsdemonstratethistousbytheirlivesofheroicloveandgenerosityandsacrifice.
• ThegracesgiventousintheSacraments.o SacramentalGraces–Thisisthesanctifyinggracereceivedinthe
Sacraments.o ThisiswhytheSacramentsarenecessaryforsalvation–becausethey
impartsanctifyinggracetous.§ CCC1129states,“TheChurchaffirmsthatforbelieversthe
sacramentsoftheNewCovenantarenecessaryforsalvation.”• Itisahabitualgrace.
o Thismeansthatthisgraceabidesinusalways.• Sanctifyinggracedoesnotpreventusfromsinning.Itgivesusthegracetoavoid
sinandchooseGod,butwestillmustfreelyuseourfreewillstochoosethegood.
• SanctifyingGraceandSino Thepowerofsanctifyinggraceinourlivesisweakenedthroughvenial
sin.o Sanctifyinggraceislostthroughmortalsin.Itisregainedinthe
SacramentofConfession.o ItisJesushimselfwhoinstitutedthesacramentswhilehewasonearth.
§ Aswell,itisJesushimselfwhoisgivingthegracethroughtheministersofhisSacraments.ItisJesusforgiving,JesusgivingushisBodyandBlood,etc.
§ Heuseshisministerstogivethisgracetohispeople.• Justlikeinthemiracleofthemultiplicationoftheloaves–Jesusdoesthe
miracle,butHegivesthebreadtotheApostlestodistributetothepeople.§ ReadCCC1084
o TheyarethechannelsofDivineLifethatJesusestablishedforoursanctification• Theyarenecessaryforoursalvation
o Theygivesacramentalgrace–whichisthegracepropertothatsacrament.o TheHolySpiritheals,transformsandsanctifiesuswiththem.o ReadCCC1129
C.MetaphysicsoftheSacraments
• EachSacramenthas3requisiteelements:o Matter:Itisthematerialphysicalsignitselfthatisactuallyusedinthesacrament.
§ Ex:breadandwine,water,oil,etc.§ Thesignsormatterareordinarythingsofdailylife.TheLordtransformsthemandgives
ussupernaturallifethroughthem.o Form:thewordsandactionsoftheritethatactuallymakethematterachannelofgrace.
§ Ex:thewordsofthepriestmakethebreadandthewinebecometheBodyandBloodofChrist.
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§ Withoutthewords(form)thematterremainssimplyitsordinarysubstance.Thesignisnotpresent,andthematterisnotsacramental.
o Minister:thepersonwhoperformstheSacrament.§ TheultimateministerisChristhimself,whogivesthegraceoftheSacrament.§ However,heneedsahumanpersonwhoactsasachannelofthisgrace.Thispersonis
theminister.§ Ingeneral,JesusgavehisApostleshisauthoritytoministertheSacraments.§ However,theministerdoesvarysomewhatfromSacramenttoSacrament.
• Substance:whenyouhavetherightmatterandformyouactuallytheSacrament(substance)itself,whichbecomesasourceofgraceforus.
o Ex:theEucharist• End/Purpose:Thepurposeofthesacramentsisthreefold(CCC1123):
o TogivetoworshipGodo Ourownsanctification(tomakeusholy).o TobuilduptheChurch
Aspect SacramentMatter Bread,Wine,Water,OilForm WordsandActionsofthe
RiteSubstance ASacrament
End/Purpose Worship,Sanctification,Build
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II.BAPTISMINSCRIPTURE(seeCCC1214-1284)
A.IntroductiontoBaptism
• Thefirstofthesevensacraments,andthe‘door’whichgivesaccesstotheothersacraments.BaptismisthefirstandchiefsacramentofforgivenessofsinsbecauseitunitesuswithChrist,whodiedforoursinsandroseforourjustification.Itisoneofthethree‘sacramentsofinitiation’(Baptism,Eucharist,Confirmation).(TakenfromtheCCCDefinitions)
• Jesusmakesitclearthatbaptismisnecessaryforsalvationandeternallife.o “Jesusansweredandsaidtohim,“Amen,amen,Isaytoyou,noonecanseethekingdomofGod
withoutbeingbornfromabove.”Nicodemussaidtohim,“Howcanapersononcegrownoldbebornagain?Surelyhecannotreenterhismother’swombandbebornagain,canhe?”Jesusanswered,“Amen,amen,Isaytoyou,noonecanenterthekingdomofGodwithoutbeingbornofwaterandSpirit.Whatisbornoffleshisfleshandwhatisbornofspiritisspirit.DonotbeamazedthatItoldyou,‘Youmustbebornfromabove.’”(John3:3-7)
• Baptismthenbecomesthe‘door’throughwhichwemustenterintoeternallife.B.OldTestamentBackgroundofBaptism
• Genesis1:2–Creation–(CCC1218)o “andtheearthwaswithoutformorshape,withdarknessovertheabyssandamightywindsweeping
overthewaters.”(Gen1:2)§ TheSpiritishoveringoverthewater,whichbringsaboutanewcreation.
o Inbaptism,theSpirithoversoverthewaterandus,bringaboutanewcreationinoursouls.• Genesis7-9–NoahandtheArk(CCC1219)
TypologyofBaptismandNoah’sArk
Noah’sArk BaptismTodaySinhadundoneandruinedGod’screation Sinruinsus(God’screation)Thefloodwaterswashawaywickednessandsin-allthosewhohadsinnedandabandonedGod
Thewaterofbaptismwashesawayallthesininus.Wickednessiswashedawayintheflood,justasitisinusthroughthewatersofbaptism.
Thewatersrecedeandthereisanewcreation,anewbeginning.
Weareanewcreation–achildofGod.
Godthenrestoreshisblessinguponhiscreationandman,andthereisanewbeginning
Wehaveanewbeginning–lifeinChrist,insteadofalifeenslavedtosin.
TheArkisaplacedwherepeoplearesavedfromthedestructionoftheflood
TheArkisatypeoftheChurch.WhenwearewithintheChurch,wearesavedfromthe‘flood’aroundus.
o St.Peteralsodescribesthisin1Peter3:20-21–“WhohadoncebeendisobedientwhileGodpatiently
waitedinthedaysofNoahduringthebuildingoftheark,inwhichafewpersons,eightinall,weresavedthroughwater.Thisprefiguredbaptism,whichsavesyounow.ItisnotaremovalofdirtfromthebodybutanappealtoGodforaclearconscience,throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist.”
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• Exodus14:10-31–TheCrossingoftheRedSea(CCC1221)
TypologyofBaptismandCrossingtheRedSea
CrossingoftheRedSea BaptismTodayIsraelites–werefreedfrombondagetoPharaohandtheEgyptians
Christians–freedfromthebondagetosinandSatan.
crossingthroughwatersbringsanewlife,afreedomfromslavery
wetoogothroughthewaters(ofbaptism)andarefreedfromtheslaveryofsin.
IntheRedSea,thewicked(Egyptians)areagaindestroyed.
Thewickednessisdestroyedinus.
AftertheCrossingoftheRedSea,theyenterthePromisedLand
Afterbaptism,wecanenterthePromisedLandofHeaven
o 1Corinthians10:1-4–St.Paulmakesthesameconnection.
• Joshua4(CCC1222)o JoshualeadstheIsraelitesacrosstheJordanRiverintothePromisedLand.o ThewaterspartandtheyallpassovertheJordanriverontodryland.o Withthis,ExodusfromEgyptiscomplete.
• JewishPurificationRiteso BaptismcomesfromtheGreekwordbaptizein,whichmeans“toplunge,toimmerseortodip”(CCC
1214)o Oftenwhentherewassomesortofpurificationneeded–duetosinorritualuncleanliness,Jewishlaw
requiredsomesortofcleansingwithwaterorblood–bydipping,immersion,etc.o Seep.29forconcreteexamples
• JohntheBaptisto AtthetimeofJesus,thereexistedwithinJudaismthepracticeofritualbaptismforpurificationan
conversion.o OneofthegroupsthatpracticedthiswastheEssenes.
§ Theydidthesedailypurifications,wouldthendressinwhite,andshareacommonmeal(noticethesimilaritieswiththebaptismtodayandthecelebrationoftheEucharist).
§ JohntheBaptistcouldhavebeenpartofthisgrouporassociatedwithit.However,wedonotknowthisforsure.
o JohntheBaptistpracticedthistypeofbaptism.§ However,heknewthattherewasanotherbaptismwiththeSpiritthatwastocome(andhe
knewhewasnotgivingit).ReadMatt3:11.§ Aswell,heknewhewasbaptizingtopreparethewayforthecomingoftheMessiah.ReadJohn
1:19-27.C.TheNewTestamentandBaptism
• TheBaptismofJesuso WiththeBaptismofJesus,somethingnewbegins.o JesusisbaptizedinthewatersoftheJordanbyJohntheBaptist,theHolySpiritrestsuponHim
§ JustasSpiritofGodhoveredoverthewatersattheoutsetofcreation,sotooGod’sspiritnowhoversoverthewatersoftheJordanandanointsJesus,therebyusheringinthestartofthenewcreationinChrist(ReadCCC1224)
§ 2Cor5:17–“Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,heisanewcreation;theoldhaspassedaway,behold,thenewhascome.”
• JesusInstitutestheSacramentofBaptismo ThefinalinstructionsofJesustohisApostlesistogooutintotheworld,teachingpeoplewhatHehad
taughtthem,andbaptizingthem.§ “Go,therefore,andmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,and
oftheSon,andoftheholySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou.Andbehold,Iamwithyoualways,untiltheendoftheage.”(Matt28:19-20)
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§ ThisisasummaryoftheministryoftheApostlesandtheirsuccessors(thebishopsandpriests):teachandsanctify.
• TheCrucifixionofJesuso TheChurchhasalwaysseenthatthebloodandwaterthatflowedoutofthepiercedHeartofJesuson
thecross,wasa‘type’ofthesacramentsofbaptism(water)andtheEucharist(blood).These2sacraments,whichbringussalvation,flowfromtheHeartofChristthatlovesusdeeplyandtotheextreme,tothelastdrop.
o WhatistheconnectionthenbetweenJesus’BaptismandCrucifixionintheGospelofMark?§ HeavensaretornopenwhenJesuscomesupfromthewatersoftheJordanandtheSpiritcomes
downuponHim(Mk1:10)§ TheGreekwordschidzomeansto“tearasunder”–heavenisdramaticallyopenedupandthe
SpiritsetlooseatJesus’Baptism§ TheonlyothertimethiswordschidzousedisatendoftheGospelofMark,attheCrucifixion,as
JesusuttersaloudcryandbreathsHislast:thecurtainoftheTempleistorn(schidzo)fromtoptobottom(Mk15:37-38).
• TheTemplecurtainwasintheinnersanctum;itblockedoffentryintotheHolyofHolieswheretheSpiritofGoddweltintheTemple
§ ThisshowsaparallelbetweentheheavensandtheTemplecurtainbeingtornopen.o WhyBaptismandCrucifixionlinkedtogetherbytearingoftheheavensandtheTemplecurtain?
§ BaptismisinherentlyconnectedwiththeCrossofChrist§ JamesandJohnaskiftheycansitattherightandleftofJesus.Hesays“areyouabletodrinkthe
cupthatIdrink,ortobebaptizedwiththebaptismwithwhichIambaptized?”(Mk10:38)• BaptismandtheCross
o ReadRomans6:1-11.Whatistherelationship,accordingtoSaintPaul,betweenBaptismandtheCross?o PaulexplainsthatBaptismisanincorporationintothedeathofChrist:“doyounotknowthatallofus
whohavebeenbaptizedintoChristJesuswerebaptizedintohisdeath?”(Rom6:3)o HowdoesBaptismsignifyourincorporationintoJesus’deathontheCross?Bythefactthatimmersion
signifiesdeath,justastheimmersioninthefloodinthetimeofNoahortheimmersionofPharaoh’sarmyintheRedSea;botharetypesofthedeaththatwatercanbring.Baptismthen,isasignofdeath,andofJesus’deathinparticular(Rom6:4).
o “ThebaptismwithwhichIambaptized,youwillbebaptized”(Mk10:39)• BaptismandourDeath
o HowdoesBaptismsignifyourburialwithJesus?§ Whenwearebaptizedweareburiedbythewater(deathtosin)andrisetonewlife
o ReadColossians1:21-23,2:12-14;3:1-4.§ HowshouldourlivesbemodeledonthetwofoldstructureofBaptism?Thatis,onthedeathand
ResurrectionofChrist?§ SaintPaulexhortstheColossianstoliveoutthedyingandrisingwithChrist,whichthey
experiencedinBaptism,intheirdailylives,saying,“IfwithChristyoudied…whydoyouliveasifyoustillbelongedtotheworld?”(Col2:20)
§ Theyshouldhaveasupernaturaloutlookonlifenowbecauseofbaptismthey“haveputonthenewnature,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeaftertheimageofitscreator”(Col3:10)
• Summaryo InBaptismwenotonlydietotheoldnature,butweputonthenewnature,adornedwiththegracesof
ChristandwiththeHolySpirit,whichempowersustoliveassonsanddaughtersofGodtheFather,inimitationoftheeternalSon,JesusChrist.
o Spiritcomesuponusandwearegiven,asSaintPaulsays,the“newnature”(Eph4:24,CCC1262,1265)o SeeCCC1217-1221
§ ShowstheprayerofEasterVigiloverthebaptismalwaters–summarizesallwehavebeengoingthrough.
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III.THESACRAMENTOFBAPTISM
A.NamesofBaptismandtheEffectsofBaptism
• Knowthelistsonpages32and33inyourbooks(namesofbaptism,effectsofbaptism)• Someimportanteffectsinmoredepth…
o Webecomea“newcreature”ChristandtheHolySpirit§ WebecomeachildofGod,hisadoptedsonsanddaughters§ Galatians3:27–“ForasmanyofyouaswerebaptizedintoChristhaveputonChrist.”§ Giventhegracesofjustificationwhich:
• Givesusthetheologicalvirtuesoffaith,hope,andlove• GivesusthegiftsoftheHolySpirit,whichallowsustoliveandactunderthepromptings
oftheHolySpirit• Givesusthemoralvirtuesofprudence,temperance,justice,andfortitude.
o IncorporatedintotheBodyofChrist,theChurch§ 1Cor12:13–“byoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintooneBody.”§ Thismeanswehavearoletofulfill,aparttoplay.§ Itmeansthatallbaptizedpeopleareourbrothersandsisters.§ Weshareinthe3-foldmissionofChrist:
• Priestlymission:tooffersacrifice(ourlives)toGod• Propheticmission:toproclaimtheGoodNews• Kinglymission:“toserveistoreign”
§ WeshareintherightsanddutiesofbeingamembersoftheChurch:• Rights:
o Toreceivethesacramentso TobenourishedbytheWordofGodo TobesustainedbyotherspiritualhelpsintheChurch
• Duties:o Baptizedpersonnolongerlivesforhimself,butforChrist.Wearehis
possession.o TolivealifeinserviceoftheChurcho ToobeyandsubmittoChurchleaders,withrespectandaffection
o Givesusanindeliblespiritualmark§ WearemarkedwithChrist,andnothingcanevertakeitaway.§ Evensincannotremovethismark,thoughitcanpreventbaptismfrombearingthefruitsthat
leadtosalvation.Inotherwords,themarkwillneverleaveus,butitdoesnotguaranteeusheaven.Westillhavetochooseit.
B.BaptismandOriginalSin
• DefinitionofSin:CCC1849–“Sinisanoffenseagainstreason,truth,andrightconscience;itisfailureingenuineloveforGodandneighborcausedbyaperverseattachmenttocertaingoods.Itwoundsthenatureofmanandinjureshumansolidarity.Ithasbeendefinedas"anutterance,adeed,oradesirecontrarytotheeternallaw."
• Otherdefinitionsofsin:o AfreechoicetochooseourwillaboveGod’swill.
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o ViolationofGreatCommandment:“LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andallyoursoul,andallyourstrengthandyourneighborasyourself.”
• OriginalSin:o AdamandEveweregivenmanygiftstopasstotheirdescendants.Withsin,theylostthesegiftsand
passedalonginsteadtheconsequencesoftheirsinagainstGod.o Sinbroughtthefollowingconsequences(afallenstate):
§ lossoffriendshipwithGod.§ Humannatureisweakenedinitspowers§ Subjecttosufferinganddeath§ Weakandwoundedintellect(ignorance,confusion,darkened)§ Willisinclinedandattractedtosin(concupiscence)
o Baptismgetsridoforiginalsin,butnotalltheconsequences(likeconcupiscence)§ Tobattletheeffectsofsin,wemustreceivegracesfromthesacraments,prayer,andalifeof
discipline,penanceandmortification.• Personalsin:
o Baptismalsoremits(getsridof)allpersonalsin:sinwehavepersonallycommittedbyourownfreechoice.
o However,asweknowfromexperience,wecontinuetosinafterbaptism,andtherefore,weneedawaytoabsolveusofpersonalsin.Hence,theLordgivesusthesacramentofConfession,inordertoremit(getridof)anypersonalsinwehavecommittedafterbaptism.
C.TheSacramentanditsCelebration
§ MatterandFormo Matter:Water
§ Thenaturalsignofwater:• Waterisusednaturallyforcleaningthings,purifyingthings,etc.itisnaturalthatthe
matter,orvisiblesign,ofthissacrament,whichmeanswearecleansedofoursin,iswater.
• Aswell,onamorenegativenote,watercouldalsobethecauseofdeathbydrowning.Therefore,itisalsoanappropriatesignforthe‘deathtosin’thatalsooccursinthissacrament.Sinis‘drowned’and‘puttodeath’inbaptism.
§ IntheSacrament:• Thewatermusthavecontactwiththebody.• Baptismbyimmersion:personiscompletelysubmergedunderthewater.
o Symboloftotalcleansingandthedrowningofsinandthe‘oldman.’• Baptismbyaffusion:pouringwateroverthecandidate3times.
o IntheearlyChurch,thiswasdoneonlywhenimmersionwasnotpossible.IntheLatinChurch(west),thishasbecomethenormtoday.
o Form:“Name,IbaptizeyouinthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit.”§ ThesewordscomedirectlyfromthemouthofChristasseenintheGospels.
o Minister:Anyone§ Theordinaryministerisabishop,priest,ordeacon.§ Inthecaseofnecessity,anyonecanbaptize(withthecorrectmatterandform)
§ TheRiteofBaptism(theliturgicalcelebrationofbaptism)o TheQuestionsoftheChurch:
§ Whatnamehaveyougivenyourchild?• UsuallyshouldbeaChristianname–thenameofaSaint,abiblicalfigure,etc.It
remindsusthatwearebeingdrawnintothecommunionofSaints,andgivesusaspecialfiguretoimitateandaspecialpatroninheavenprayingforus.
• Themeaningofaname:Alwaysinhistory,namesmeansomething.WhenwereadScripture,weseethatthenameofeveryplaceandpersonalwayshasameaningassociatedtotheperson,theplace,andthecircumstancessurroundingthebirthoran
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eventthathasrecentlyoccurred.Culturally,wehavelostsomeofthisunderstandingregardingtheimportanceofaname.
§ WhatdoyouaskofGod’sChurch?• Byaskingforbaptism,theparentsareassumingtheresponsibilityfor2things:
o ToaccepttheresponsibilitytoeducateandtrainthechildinthepracticeoftheFaith.
o ToteachthechildtokeepGod’scommandments,bylovingGodandneighbor.• AccordingtoSt.JohnPaulII,thehomeisthe‘domesticChurch.’Itisthefirstandmost
importantplacewherechildrenareformed,educated,madeholy,andtaught.ItiswheretheyfirstlearnofGodandhisloveforus,virtue,service,andhowtolove.Itisthemostimportantschool.
• IftherenorealhopethatachildisgoingtobetaughttheFaith,baptismshouldbeputoff.
o GodparentsandSponsors§ Notjustanhonorarytitle.§ Atabaptism,theremustbeonesponsorandonewitness.§ Sponsor(Godparent)
• PerformsdutiesofGodparent• Mustbeatleast16yearsold.• MustbeaconfirmedCatholic,whohasreceivedHolyCommunionandlivesalifein
accordancetotheroletheywillundertake.§ Witness
• DoesnothavetobeCatholic.Canactasawitness,butcannotbeagodparent.o TheCeremony
§ Celebrant,parentsandgodparentsmakesignofCrossonforehead.§ ReadingoftheWordofGod
• IfduringaMass,theMassreadingsforthatdayareused.• IfoutsideofMass,readingisselectedfromamongpre-chosenoptions.
§ Homily§ Petitions§ LitanyoftheSaints
• InvokingtheintercessionoftheSaints.§ Anointingwiththeoilofcatechumens(oliveoilblessedonHolyThursday)§ Blessingofthebaptismalwater.§ Professionalorrenewalofbaptismalpromises
• Allpresentrenewtheirbaptismalpromises.§ Thebaptismofthechild§ AnointsthechildwithHolyChrism(mixofblessedoliveoilandbalsamoilblessedonHoly
Thursday)§ Clothedwithawhitegarment(symbolizedthatwehavebeenwashedcleanofsin)§ CandleislitfromtheEastercandle(symbolizingthatthepersonhasbeengiventhelightof
Christ)§ Whocanreceivebaptism?
o AnyonewhobelievesJesusistheMessiah.D.BaptismthroughHistory
§ IntheEarlyChurch(firstcenturies)Baptismwasprecededbyyearsofcatechumenalpreparation.Aftertheseyearsofcatechesis,thepersonreceivedall3SacramentsofInitiationatonetime–Baptism,Confirmation,Eucharist.
o Theperiodofcatechumenatewassolongfor2mainreasons:§ ThecultureofthetimewasnotChristianatall.Therefore,peopleneededsignificanttimeto
understandwhatChristianitywas,howtoliveit,andwhatitmeantfortheirlives.
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§ Aswell,tobeaChristianoftenmeantmartyrdom.Onehadtobetrulypreparedforthatrealityandreadytoacceptit.
§ Asinfantbaptismbecamethenorm,theperiodofthecatechumenatecameafterbaptism.§ Aswell,theSacramentsofConfirmationandtheEucharistbegantobegivenatalaterage–followingbaptism
andlongerperiodsofcatecheticalinstruction.E.DifferencesinBaptismintheEastandWest
§ IntheWesternChurch(LatinorRoman)o Baptismisnormallygiventoinfants.Theother2sacramentsofInitiationaregivenlateron,after
periodsofcatecheticalinstruction.o Baptismisusuallydonebyaffusion(thoughtimmersionwouldalsobecompletelyacceptable).
§ EasternRiteChurcheso IntheEasternRiteChurches,all3SacramentsofInitiationareusuallystillgivenatthesametime–
usuallywhenthechildisababy.o Baptismisusuallydonebyimmersion.o ThechildusuallyfacestheEast(thedirectionoftheresurrection)o Hairisoftencutintonsure
F.BaptismandCatechesis(ortheCatechumenate)
§ Catechumenate–aperiodofformalinstructionorcatechesisontheFaithofJesusChristandhisChurch,usuallygiventoapersontopreparethemforbaptism.
§ InfantBaptismo Ininfantbaptism,theperiodofcatechesis/catechumenate(learningthefaith)comesafterbaptism.o Thechild’sparents,firstandforemost,shouldgivethecatechesis.o However,theChurchalsoassistsandcontributestothiseducation(throughCatholicschools,CCD
programs,etc.)§ Adultbaptismtoday(CCC1247-1249)
o Thosewhoarenotbaptizedaschildrencanreceivebaptismasadults.o Usuallyadultswillgothroughmonthsofcatechesis/catechumenate(educationinthefaith)before
receivingbaptism.ThisprocessiscalledtheRiteofChristianInitiationforAdults(RCIA).§ TheprocessissimilartotheearlyChurch.§ ThosewhogothroughRCIAreceiveall3sacramentsofinitiationatthesametime.
G.LivingourBaptismalPromises
• Atourbaptismwepromise(orourparentspromiseonourbehalf):o TorenounceSatan,hisworks,andallhisemptypromises.
§ Thisiskey,becauseinbaptismwearechangingfromachildofsatantoachildofGod.Therefore,wehavetorejectfreelywhatweareleaving.
o Thatwebelievein:§ God,theFatherAlmighty,creatorofheavenandearth§ JesusChrist,hisonlySon,ourLord,whowasbornoftheVirginMarywascrucified,died,and
wasburied,rosefromthedead,andisnowseatedattherighthandoftheFather§ TheHolySpirit,theholyCatholicchurch,thecommunionofsaints,theforgivenessofsins,the
resurrectionofthebody,andlifeeverlasting.§ AllthattheholyCatholicChurchbelieves,professes,teaches,andproclaimstoberevealedby
God.”• However,wearenotusuallyfaithfultothesepromises…
o Witheachsin,webreakourpromisetorenounceSatan,andwerejecttheFaithandallitentails.o Thisiswhythesacramentofreconciliationbecomesnecessary.Wemusthaveameansofreconciling
ourselveswithGodagainafterhavingoffendedhimandbrokenthepromiseswemadeatbaptism.• Ourwholelifeisanefforttofulfillourbaptismalpromises.
o Atourbaptism,thefaithisplantedlikeaseedinourhearts.Thisseedshouldbenourishedandcontinuetogrowourwholelives.Ifwedonotnourishourfaith,theneventuallyitcandie.
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o Weshouldalwaysbegrowingandlivingourbaptismalpromisesmorefully.§ Wedonotlivewhatwebelieveoftentimes.Everysinisadenialofwhatwesaidwewoulddo
andwhatwebelieveatbaptism.Therefore,wemustspendourwholelivesperfectinghowweliveandadheretoourbaptismalpromises–whichmeansrootingoutsinfromourlives.
• WhatisthefulfillmentofBaptism?o Holinessisthefulfillmentofbaptismo Holinessissimplywhenwefinallybecomewhatwehavepromisedtobe–atruechildofGodthe
Father,inunionwithHim,andintotalrenouncementofSatanandhisworks.§ Wearehischildrenwhenwearedoinghisworks.§ “IfGodwereyourFather,youwouldloveme,forIcamefromGod…Whydoyounot
understandwhatIamsaying?Becauseyoucannotbeartohearmyword.Youbelongtoyourfatherthedevilandyouwillinglycarryoutyourfather’sdesigns….thereisnotruthinhim.Whenhetellsalie,hespeaksincharacter,becauseheisaliarandthefatheroflies.ButbecauseIspeakthetruth,youdonotbelieveinme….WhoeverbelongstoGodhearsthewordsofGod…Ifyouloveme,youwillkeepmycommandments.”(John8:42-47;14:15)
o Wehaveonlyfulfilledourbaptismwhenweareholy,whenwearecarryingoutourheavenlyFather’sworksandnottheworksofSatan.
o “Toask…‘DoyouwishtoreceiveBaptism?’meansatthesametimetoask…‘Doyouwishtobecomeholy?’”(JohnPaulII,NovoMillennioIneunte,31).
o “ItispossibletosaythatthiscalltoholinessispreciselythebasicchargeentrustedtoallthesonsanddaughtersoftheChurch…Thischargeisnotasimplemoralexhortationbutanundeniablerequirement.”(JPII,Christifideleslaici,16)
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IV.IMPORTANTQUESTIONSREGARDINGBAPTISM
A.IsBaptismNecessaryforSalvation?
• Thesimpleansweris‘yes’.o First,Jesusisveryclearthatwemustbe‘bornofwaterandSpirittoentertheKingdomofGod.’(Jn3:5)o Aswell,theearlyChurchFatherswroteintheNiceneCreed(A.D.381),"Webelieveinonebaptismfor
theforgivenessofsins."o Aswell,Tertullianin203ADstates,“Withoutbaptism,salvationisattainablebynone.”o TheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchstates:"TheLordhimselfaffirmsthatbaptismisnecessaryfor
salvation[John3:5]....BaptismisnecessaryforsalvationforthosetowhomtheGospelhasbeenproclaimedandwhohavehadthepossibilityofaskingforthissacrament[Mark16:16]"(CCC1257).
o Therefore,baptismisnecessaryforsalvation.• However,GodisalsonotboundbytheSacraments.InotherwordsHecanchoosetobestowgracesofsalvation
outsidethechannelsofgraceHehimselfestablished(theSacraments).(CCC1257)• TraditionoftheChurchhasrecognizedthepossibilityofsalvationforsomewhohavediedwithoutreceivingthe
actualsacramentofbaptism:o BaptismofDesire(CCC1259-1260)
§ Thosewhoarepreparingtoreceivethesacramentofbaptism,butdiebeforereceivingit(assumingconversionandresentenceofsin.)
§ Thosewho,throughnofaultoftheirown,donotknowChristcanbesavediftheyseekthetruthanddothewillofGodinaccordanceofhisunderstandingofit.TheydidnotknowJesusorhisGospel,butwouldhaveexplicitlydesiredbaptismhadtheyknownofit(CCC1281).
o BaptismofBlood(CCC1258)§ WhenanunbaptizedpersonsuffersdeathforChrist(martyrdom).§ ThiswascommonintheearlyChurchwhenmanyweremartyredbeforebaptism(sincethe
periodofpreparationwassolong).o Children/Babieswhohavediedwithoutbaptism(CCC1261)
§ Infantsandunbornchildrenwhodiebeforebaptismare‘entrustedtothemercyofGod’whodesiresthatalltobesaved.Wecanreasonablyhopefortheirsalvation.
B.TheNecessityandEffectsofBaptism–DifferencesAmongChristians
• NotallChristiansbelievethatbaptismhasthesameeffects.• Catholics(andsomeotherChristiandenominations)believe:
o thatbaptismitselfbringssalvation.o thatbaptismisnecessaryforsalvation(seeabovesection)o thatbaptismwashesawayoriginalsin.
§ Aswell,thesalvationcomespreciselybecausebaptismwashesawayoriginalsin,whichseparatesusfromGod.
• OtherNon-CatholicChristiansbelieve:o thatbaptismdoesnothaveanyrealeffect–itisonlyasymbol.o Faithiswhatactuallysaves.Baptismismerelyasymbolicpublicprofessionofthatfaith.
• Differencesinbeliefleadtodifferencesinpractice.
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o Christiansdonotagreeontheeffectsandtherefore,thenecessity,ofbaptism.Thisleadstodifferenceinpractice,mainlywhetherornottobaptizeinfantsorwaituntilapersonisolder.Therefore,wewillconsiderthefollowingquestions.
C.DoesFaithorBaptismSaveaPerson?
• TheChurchhasalwaystaughtthatBaptismsavesapersonforthefollowingreasons:o First,baptismrequiresfaith.
§ Itisnotaneither/orquestion.Baptismimpliesandnecessitatesfaith.Onecannotreceivebaptismwithoutprofessingfaith.Itisanecessaryandessentialpartofthesacrament.PartofthebaptismalriteinvolvesaskingthepersoniftheybelieveinGod(Father,SonandHS)andrejectSatan.
§ Thismeansthatfaithprecedesthesacramentofbaptism–inotherwords,apersonmusthavefaithbeforetheyarebaptized.
• Somenon-CatholicChristiansclaimthatthismeansthatfaithsavesthepersonbecauseitcomesfirst.
• However,ifthisweretrue–iffaithalonesavesaperson–whydoesJesusandtheChurchcommandbaptismstill?Inotherwords,ifthepersonwassavedsimplythroughfaith,whyineveryinstanceinScripturedotheystillbaptizepeople?
o Oneexample:“Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChristfortheforgivenessofyoursins;andyoushallreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit"(Acts2:38)
o Non-CatholicChristiansclaimtheystillbaptizepeople(eventhoughtheyarealreadysavedthroughfaith)becausetheyarebeingobedienttoChrist(becauseChristtoldustobaptizepeople).
o Thereisanelementoftruthtothis–wecertainlywanttobeobedienttoChristinallthings.However,itbegsaquestion–whydoesJesuscommandbaptismifitisnotnecessaryforsalvation?Aswell,itignoresJesus’ownteachinginJohn3inwhichhesaysbaptismisnecessaryforsalvation.
o Second,Scripturemakesitclearbaptismitselfiswhatsaves.§ Acts22:16-"Riseandbebaptized,andwashawayyoursins,callingonhisname"§ 1Peter3:20-21–“GodpatientlywaitedinthedaysofNoahduringthebuildingoftheark,in
whichafewpersons,eightinall,weresavedthroughwater.21Thisprefiguredbaptism,whichsavesyounow.ItisnotaremovalofdirtfromthebodybutanappealtoGodforaclearconscience,throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist.”
• Itisthewaterofbaptismthatsavesus.§ Romans6:3-5-“OrareyouunawarethatwewhowerebaptizedintoChristJesuswere
baptizedintohisdeath?4Wewereindeedburiedwithhimthroughbaptismintodeath,sothat,justasChristwasraisedfromthedeadbythegloryoftheFather,wetoomightliveinnewnessoflife.5Forifwehavegrownintounionwithhimthroughadeathlikehis,weshallalsobeunitedwithhimintheresurrection.”
• HereisSt.PaulmakesthatbaptismisnecessarybecauseofitsconnectionwiththeCrossofChrist–itisthroughbaptismthatwe‘die’onthecrosswithChrist.Thisispreciselywhyitisnecessary.Baptismishowtheoldmanisputtodeathonthecrosssothatwemayrisetonewlife.
§ Colossians2:11-12–“Inhimyouwerealsocircumcisedwithacircumcisionnotadministeredbyhand,bystrippingoffthecarnalbody,withthecircumcisionofChrist.12Youwereburiedwithhiminbaptism,inwhichyouwerealsoraisedwithhimthroughfaithinthepowerofGod,whoraisedhimfromthedead.”
• Verse12makesthesamepointthatismadeinRomans6above.• Aswell,baptismisthenewcircumcisionoftheNewCovenant.
o EveryIsraelitemalehadtobecircumcisedonthe8thdayaftertheirbirth.ThisiswhatbroughtthemintothecovenantwithGodandmakethempartofhispeople.(Genesis17)
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o “IntheOldTestament,ifamanwantedtobecomeaJew,hehadtobelieveintheGodofIsraelandbecircumcised.IntheNewTestament,ifonewantstobecomeaChristian,onemustbelieveinGodandJesusandbebaptized.IntheOldTestament,thosebornintoJewishhouseholdscouldbecircumcisedinanticipationoftheJewishfaithinwhichtheywouldberaised.ThusintheNewTestament,thoseborninChristianhouseholdscanbebaptizedinanticipationoftheChristianfaithinwhichtheywillberaised.”(CatholicAnswers)
o Babieswerenotcircumcisedbytheirownpersonaldecisionbutbytheirparent’sdecision.However,justasinbaptism,eachpersonastheygrewhadtodecidepersonallywhetherhewouldbefaithfultothecovenant.
D.ShouldweBaptizeInfants?• Manynon-CatholicChristiansanswer,‘no’–weshouldnotbaptizeinfants.Theyusuallysoforthefollowing
reasons:o First(andprimary),baptismshouldbeafreechoicebythepersonthemselves,sincewithbaptismthey
areacceptingJesusastheirLordandSavior.Peopleshouldonlymakethischoicewhentheyareoldenoughtounderstandwhattheyaredoing.
§ Mixedinwiththisisthe‘oncesaved,alwayssaved’belief,whichstatesthatwhenapersonprofessesJesusastheirLordandSaviortheywillbesavednomatterwhat.Therefore,ifsomeoneelsebaptizesaninfant,itbringssalvationtotheinfantwithouthis/heractualconsent.
§ Thisargumentwewilldealwithbelow.o Second,(aswealreadystatedabove),baptismisonlysymbolic(andnotefficacious);itisfaithinJesus
Christthatsavesaperson,notbaptism.Theyarguethatfaithalwaysprecedesbaptism(peoplehavefaithandthenarebaptized).Therefore,itisfaithinJesusthatbringssalvation,nottheactofbaptism.OneChristianpastorwrites,“Thereisnograceimpartedinthephysicalactofbaptism,apartfromthefaithoftheonebeingbaptized.”
§ ThisaspectoftheargumentwehavealreadydealtwithinsectionC• ReasonswebaptizeInfants
o Jesusdidnotrestrictsalvationtoonlyadults§ "Nowtheywerebringingeveninfantstohimthathemighttouchthem;andwhenthedisciples
sawit,theyrebukedthem.ButJesuscalledthemtohim,saying,‘Letthechildrencometome,anddonothinderthem;fortosuchbelongsthekingdomofGod’"(Luke18:15–16).
• TheGreekwordbrephameans"infants"—childrenwhoarequiteunabletoapproachChristontheirownandwhocouldnotpossiblymakeaconsciousdecisionto"acceptJesusastheirpersonalLordandSavior."
o HistoricalPrecedence-IthasbeendoneallthroughoutChurchHistory,includingthefirstcenturiesoftheChurch.
§ InmanyinstancesinActsoftheApostles,wereadthe‘wholehouseholds’werebaptized.Thoughitdoesnotexplicitlymentionsinfantsbeingpresent,itwouldbefairtoassumetheirweresomechildreninatleastsomeofthesehouseholds.
§ HasbeenpracticedsincetheearlyChurch(2ndcentury),andhasgrownmoreasthecommoncustomthroughtheyears.
§ CCC1252–“ThepracticeofinfantBaptismisanimmemorialtraditionoftheChurch.Thereisexplicittestimonytothispracticefromthesecondcenturyon,anditisquitepossiblethat,fromthebeginningoftheapostolicpreaching,whenwhole"households"receivedbaptism,infantsmayalsohavebeenbaptized.”
§ ChurchFathers:• Origin:"accordingtotheusageoftheChurch,baptismisgiveneventoinfants"(Holilies
onLeviticus,8:3:11[A.D.244]).• St.Augustine:"ThecustomofMotherChurchinbaptizinginfantsiscertainlynottobe
scorned...norisittobebelievedthatitstraditionisanythingexceptapostolic"(LiteralInterpretationofGenesis10:23:39[A.D.408])
• CouncilofCarthagein253A.D.condemnedtheopinionthatbaptismshouldbewithheldfrominfantsuntiltheeighthdayafterbirth
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• Aswell,Seep.41inyourbookforquotesfromSt.Irenaeusin180A.D.andSt.Hippolytusin215A.D.
o Sincebaptismbringssalvation(andisnecessaryforit)andwashesawayoriginalsinwhywouldwepostponeit?
§ CCC1250-“TheChurchandtheparentswoulddenyachildthepricelessgraceofbecomingachildofGodweretheynottoconferbaptismshortlyafterbirth.”
§ Aswell,itbringsupanotherquestionthatnon-CatholicChristianshaveadifficulttimeanswering–whathappensthentoachildorbabywhodoesdiebeforebaptism?
o Parentsmakemanydecisionsfortheirchildren–whywouldtheynotmakethemostimportantoneaswell?
§ CCC1251–“ChristianparentswillrecognizethatthispracticealsoaccordswiththeirroleasnurturersofthelifethatGodhasentrustedtothem.”
§ Whenweareyoung,everydecisionconcerningourwell-beingismadebysomeoneelse.Parentsmakemanyimportantdecisionsfortheirchildren–whatandwhentofeedthem;howandwheretoeducatethem;wheretolive;medicalcare,etc.Thismustbeeventruerforthegivingofthefaith–themostimportantgiftandtreasureonecanhave.
o Baptismbringssalvation,butitdoesnottakeawaythechoiceofthepersontowardsthefaithnorguaranteetheireventualsalvation.
§ Justasinotherthingsoflife,aswegetolder,theresponsibilityofmakingourowndecisionsfallsmoreandmoretous.
• Ex:Ourparentsteachustoeathealthy,buteventuallywearetheoneswhodecidewhatwearegoingtoeatandifwearegoingtodowhatourparentstaughtus.
• Thesameistruewithourfaith.Ourparentsteachittous,butitbecomesourresponsibilitytoliveitout.
• Noonetellsparentstheyshouldnotteachtheirchildrentoeathealthybecauseonedaytheymaynotdoso.Thesameistruewiththefaith.
§ Inbaptism,theseedoffaithinplantedinthechild.Thisseedneedswaterandsunlighttogrowandflourish.This“waterandsunlight”istheeducationofthefaithandtheloveoftheirparentsastheygrow.Parentsareresponsibleforhelpingthisseedplantedatbaptismtogrowandmatureastheyearsgoon.
§ However,atsomepoint,thecareofthatseedbecomestheresponsibilityoftheoneinwhomitisplanted.EachpersonwillhavetheresponsibilityforpersonallynurturingandcultivatingthegiftoftheFaiththeyhavereceivedasaninfant.Thisistrueabouteverydecisionthatapersonmustmake–nutrition,education,etc.EachpersonmustpersonallychoosetobeafollowerofChrist.
§ Wedonotbelievein‘oncesaved,alwayssaved’.Wedoreceivethegiftofsalvationfreely–notbecauseweearnedordeserveit.However,atanypointandtimewecanrejectandrenouncethatgift.