Posted on 10/25/2010 9:27:38 AM PDT by GonzoII
The Bible attests that baptism is the way a person becomes part of the “Body of Christ”, the Church. At the end of his speech at Pentecost, Peter told his hearers what they had to do to be saved: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Note that Peter said “everyone”, not just adults. In Catholic belief, the Latin term “ex opere operato”, which literally means “from the work performed”, expresses the essentially objective mode of operation of grace imparted in the seven sacraments, by God’s Spirit, (of which baptism is the first) and its independence of the subjective attitude of either the minister or the recipient. Thus, even though infants are too young to understand and accept baptism, they can nevertheless be baptized.
Without baptism you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven
Through baptism, converts to Jesus Christ first received forgiveness of their sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and became members of the community of Christians, the Church. Does baptism have anything to do with salvation? Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16:16). He told Nicodemus that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:5). The Church of New Testament times responded to this teaching by immediately baptizing all new converts (See Acts 2:38, 41; 18, 8; 19:5; 22:16). Paul explained that baptism unites believers to Jesus in his death so that they will also share in his resurrection (Rom 6:35). Baptism then is also a “means” to salvation.
Baptism starts the process of salvation
From the earliest Christian centuries, the Church has baptized either by immersing or by “pouring” the water over the head of the person while praying the Trinitarian formula (Mt 28:19). Nowhere does the Bible say how much water is to be used (see Acts 9:36:37), otherwise we would be seeking salvation “by works”, and not by the grace imparted in the sacrament of Baptism. “The Church does not know of any means other than baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are „reborn of water and the Spirit'. God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments” (Catechism of the Church §1257)
The evidence that water Baptism starts the process of salvation is overwhelming in the Bible. However, a common evangelical bias, or prejudice, can be stated like this “Nothing we do with our bodies in the physical realm has anything whatever to do with God’s dealings with our eternal souls in the spiritual realm”. This bias has its roots in an ancient Gnostic heresy called Manichaeism, which the Catholic Church dealt with centuries ago. This evangelical notion that we should worship like angels, without the aid of our bodies, leads evangelicals to reject not only the Eucharist and Baptism, which they style “ordinances”. These are Sacraments of the New and eternal Covenant.
Living in a personal relationship with God
Evangelicals and fundamentalists are under the erroneous impression that Catholics do not believe in “having a personal relationship with the Lord”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states: “The mystery of the faith requires that the faithful live in a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (§2558). Most Catholics pray to this effect when receiving their First Communion, at Confirmation or on a daily basis or whenever they receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion during the Catholic worship service, the Mass. The expression, however, is not found in the Bible. It is a product of our present cultural way of thinking. A more Biblical expression is: “following Christ”.
INFANT BAPTISM
Circumcision and Baptism are both rites by which people come into a special Covenant (not “ordinance”) relationship with God (see Exodus 12:48). “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you ….. This promise is for you and your children and for all those …..” Peter tells us in Acts 2:38-39. Jesus also said that no-one can enter heaven unless born again of water and the Holy Spirit (Baptism) (Jn 3:5). In Mt 19:14, Jesus urged: “Let the children be, do not keep them back from me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. The fundamentalists’ argument that this does not apply to infants since the children referred to are able to approach Christ on their own, is incorrect, since the parallel texts (Lk 18:15) and the original Greek texts use the word for “infants in arms” (little children who are unable to approach Christ on their own).
More importantly, Paul likens baptism to circumcision, and it was mainly infants who were circumcised under the Old Law (see Col 2:11-12). Circumcision of adults in Judaism was rare, there being few converts. If Paul, in making this parallel, meant to exclude infants from Baptism, it is strange that he did not say so. In everyday life people use water for cleanliness and hygiene as a precaution against dirt and disease. Water in one form or another is also an absolute necessity if a person is to stay alive Among the Jews of Palestine ritual cleansing with water was a common practice. It was this ritual cleansing to which Jesus gave a deeper spiritual meaning. He did this by connecting the Holy Spirit’s working in the believer’s life in a particular way with water. It is by the Holy Spirit’s working in the water of baptism that the spiritual corruption of sin is washed away and a new life with God is begun (Jn 3:5, Titus 3:5, Jn 7:37-38). Naturally enough, the people we read about being baptized in Scripture, are adults because they were converted as adults. This makes sense because Christianity was just starting out and there were no “cradle Christians”, no people brought up from childhood in Christian homes.
Infant baptism in the New Testament
Does the Bible say that infants and young people can be baptized? There are some good indications. Lydia was converted with all her household (Acts 16:15). The expression “with all one's household” in Jewish usage meant the inclusion, not only of children but of servants. The jailer of Paul and Silas was converted by them. We are told that “without delay, he and all his household were baptized” (Acts 16:33). And in his greetings to the Corinthians, Paul recalled that, “Yes, and I did baptize the household of Stephanas” (1 Cor 1:16). In the case of the jailer, “He and all his” must refer to himself and at least two others. If it were just the jailer and his wife it would read “he and his wife”, but it says “He and all his”, which must include children, as well. The scripture evidence here leans in favor of infant baptism. There is nothing in the Bible that says infants and young children were unsuited to Baptism. Infant baptism in the early Church.
Fundamentalists do not pay much attention to historical evidence, yet early Christian practice clearly shows that infants were baptized. Origen, for instance, in the 3rd century, wrote: “The Church received from the apostles the practice of giving baptism also to infants, though they do not have sins of their own: so that there may be given to them holiness, righteousness, adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ and that they be his members”. This and other quotes from esteemed Fathers of the Church of the early centuries, such as Origen and John Chrysostom, in their writings “Commentarii in Romanos 5:9” and “Catechesis ad illuminandos”, cannot go unheeded. The Ecumenical Council of Carthage in the year 252 AD debated the fact, not that infants should not be baptized, but that it should not be withheld from them until the eighth day of birth, as with circumcision, with the Jews. There was no record in the early Church of anyone condemning infant baptism, showing that it was common practice.
Other outstanding leaders in the early Church testifying to the Church’s practice of infant baptism are Polycarp of Smyrna (167/8 AD), Justin Martyr (died 165 AD), Cyprian of Carthage (C. 249 AD), and Hippolytus of Rome (170-236 AD), Irenaeus of Lyons (120-202 AD). St Augustine of Hippo in the 4th century taught strongly of the necessity of Baptism for wiping away “original sin” – the sin of our first parents, which we all inherit. The 16th Synod of Carthage (418 AD) definitely condemned those who denied baptism to new-born babies.
The most common question about infant Baptism is: “How can a parent or guardian’s faith substitute for the faith of a child?” It is noteworthy that Jesus did not pose this question. When Jairus asked Jesus to raise his young daughter from the dead (Mk 5:22-43) or another father asked Jesus to expel a demon from his son (Mk 9:17-27), Jesus acted with power because of their faith, not the faith of their children.
How much more would Jesus desire to free children from an even worse bondage, the bondage of sin, and raise them to eternal life, in response to the faith of their parents and of the whole Christian community. But the Catholic Church also teaches that the parents of the baptized child must provide a faith environment that will prepare the child to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ on reaching maturity.
Nothing is sadder than the sight of those little plots of ground in some cemeteries, particularly in America, where children have been buried in separate, often unconsecrated sections, simply because their parents adhered to denominations who do not believe in infant Baptism.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is the sacrament of the Church for the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the life of a baptized Christian. The Holy Spirit first comes into a person at baptism (Acts 2:38) but the Acts of the Apostles also speaks of the prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17). “When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied”. (Acts 19:6). Later on, an anointing with oil was also added to the Sacrament. Through the Sacrament, the Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to proclaim the Good News with power, to live the message and to continue Jesus’ mission and ministry in the world. Expectant faith is necessary to experience and receive the full power of the Spirit. Many today have come to know this power in a fuller way through the “baptism (or release) of the Spirit.”
Written by John Lee and Frank Bompas. Printed with ecclesiastical approval.
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Pamphlet 032
>>1 Peter 3:21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.<<
You cannot put that period there and have a legitimate conversation on the text. If you take out of context and put punctuation where you want it please don’t accuse me of insinuating errors in Scripture.
I have to disagree. "Through" is a prepostion, making "through resurrection of Jesus Christ" a prepositional phrase.
It is the Baptism that Saves you because if your bview was correct all men would be saved since Jesus came and died that all men might be saved Loose trabnslation if 1 Tim 2:4.
Since we know that ALL men will be saved something else must be required. And 1 Peter tells us that the "little extra" is Baptism.
That is what I get for hitting send with out previewing.
>>It is the Baptism that Saves you because if your view was correct all men would be saved since Jesus came and died that all men might be saved Loose translation if 1 Tim 2:4.<< (I corrected your fat finger hitting the b) hehe
There you go taking verses out of context again. He died that all men might be saved means that it’s available to all men. All men will not be saved because all men will not believe.
Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-and your house.
>>And 1 Peter tells us that the “little extra” is Baptism.<<
If you believe that something in addition to Jesus death and resurrection is needed to be saved you are saying that Jesus sacrifice was not perfect but that it needed adding to. You would also deny the salvation of hundred during Bible times who were saved but not Baptized including the thief on the Cross.
You may be interested that (if you are Catholic) your own Churches Catechism teaches that Baptism is not required for Salvation.
Taking Matt 19:14 totally out of context.
The children were bothering Jesus and keeping the adults from being able to talk to him. Infants “in arms” would not be bothering anybody except the parent holding them. The disciples were specifically trying to keep “self-ambulating” children away from Jesus and this is what he is referencing.
My children have accepted the Lord at age 4.5 and up. I would never keep one of my children from accepting the Lord when they, in their hearts, determine they need to. But if infant baptism makes you sleep better, keep on believing it.
"Baptism Now Saves You" - Nuts & Bolts - Tim Staples
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Baptism: Initiation and Regeneration
Are Catholics “Born Again?”
Baptizing infants, Pope speaks of 'adventure of being disciples'
Celebrate Your Birthday in the Church
Infant Baptism
Once a Catholic . . . (and part 2) . . . The Chicken's Questions
How Soon Should a Baby be Baptized?
Baptismal Complexes- The Sacrament of Baptism, Part 2
The Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas BAPTISM
Beginning Catholic: The Sacrament of Baptism: Gateway to New Life [Ecumenical]
Converted Muslim Tells Story Behind Papal Baptism
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Baptism [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 20: The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism and the Usus Antiquior (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Justified by Baptism (fallout from the Beckwith conversion grows)
The Million-Dollar Infant Baptism
Mystical Baptism and Limbo
The Early Church Fathers on Baptism - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
A Critique of a Critique (On Baptism by Immersion)
Catholics, Reformed Christian Churches sign document recognizing common baptism
**the thief on the cross never entered heaven...**
Actually he didn’t — he entered Paradise — a waiting place until Christ could be the first person to enter heaven. Remember the stories of souls rising from their graves and roaming through Jerusalem, visible only to some?
Now to the Baptism of the Good thief on the cross.
He had a super Baptsim of Desire and a Baptism of Blood also. But Catholic believe more in the Baptism of Desire.
Do you believe that an unbaptized baby will burn in hell for someone elses sin?
I am taking it at face value, you are adding to it >>And 1 Peter tells us that the “little extra” is Baptism.<< If you believe that something in addition to Jesus death and resurrection is needed to be saved you are saying that Jesus sacrifice was not perfect but that it needed adding to. You would also deny the salvation of hundred during Bible times who were saved but not Baptized including the thief on the Cross.
You are contradicting your self. First you say that Jesus death is sufficient, then you say that you need to beleive in him as well. That is a contradiction (whether you admit it or not.
Now the Bible does tell us that we must "add" to Christ's death:
The principle of lifting up our sufferings for the sake of someone's good comes from Colossians 1:24: "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the Church."
That being said we must add our obiedience and that includes but is not limited to Baptism, (whether it is baptism or blood, Desire, or water.)
I have personal reasons for declining to answer that.
Once again I cannot find the version of the Bible you are quoting from. I have access to over 30 including foreign language and original Greek and Hebrew.
Oh well, Paul was talking about what he lacked not what was lacking in Jesus sacrifice.
Either way. I will wish you much luck in your quest to try to be good enough.
Having reading all the preceding posts pro- and con- the article, I note that there is a great deal of talking past each other and of arguing “what the church teaches” instead of what Scripture teaches. This is true of both Catholic and non-Catholic posters.
Wouldn’t it be simpler and more constructive to stick with one point, settle it on the basis of Scripture, and then move on to the next point?
So, point one: For whom is baptism commanded (I trust no one will say that it isn’t)? Where is this written?
What would you suggest he repent from, exactly? People who can't commit sin can't repent. Are you saying it's necessary to sin in order to become a Christian?
This, along with the earlier comment someone (was it you?) made about baptism "not having inherent power of its own" is really an example of a pretty profound disconnect. What we have here is a failure to communicate, or maybe just a large school of red herrings.
Apart from the crucifixion and resurrection of the God-man, Jesus Christ, baptism only makes people wet. No sacrament, baptism included, has "inherent power" apart from the power given to it by Christ.
The argument is not over whether we are saved by baptism instead of by the resurrection of Christ, the argument is whether Christ communicates his covenant and the merits of his death and resurrection to us through baptism, in the ordinary case. To use the language of Aquinas, don't confuse the meritorious cause (the death and resurrection of Christ) with the merely instrumental cause (baptism).
(Notice I said "ordinary". God is free to save the penitent thief, or anyone else, any way he pleases. He doesn't have to stick to ordinary means, but we do. We are only free to do what God has told us to do. The question at hand is, What has God told us to do?. I believe the operative command is "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".)
I am not saying that one MUST sin prior to becoming a Christian. I am saying that if a person has sinned, one must repent and be baptized. That being dunked, immersed, sprinkled, dabbed or wiped ALONE does not meet the criteria set forth by Jesus. Repentance is a key required component.
That is ok, I kind of figured I wouldn’t get a straight answer (not just from you, I’ve never gotten any Catholic to give me a straight answer on that one.)
Having reading all the preceding posts pro- and con- the article, I note that there is a great deal of talking past each other and of arguing “what the church teaches” instead of what Scripture teaches. This is true of both Catholic and non-Catholic posters.
Wouldn’t it be simpler and more constructive to stick with one point, settle it on the basis of Scripture, and then move on to the next point?
Well over 24 hours and no responses? Sad. Problem is that half the people on this thread place their tradition and “The Church” above the authority of scripture....or at least that is how it seems.
Yes, too bad.
On the other hand, why don’t you get the ball rolling?
The closest verse I can find to a commandment is Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Now I ain’t one for fancy book learnin’, but I am pretty darned sure that babies cannot make a conscious decision to “believe.”
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