At Baptism, the Holy Spirit is brought into the child in order to remove the stain of original sin. The priest asks that the Holy Spirit enter the child during the Sacrament.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm says that:
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Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.”5
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In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister’s words: “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says: “The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest infuses the candidate with the water and raises him up again.
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The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king.41
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In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post-baptismal anointing announces a second anointing with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop—Confirmation, which will as it were “confirm” and complete the baptismal anointing.
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The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has “put on Christ,”42 has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are “the light of the world.”43
The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God entitled to say the prayer of the children of God: “Our Father.”
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Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte “a new creature,” an adopted son of God, who has become a “partaker of the divine nature,”69 member of Christ and co-heir with him,70 and a temple of the Holy Spirit.71
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The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.
Thus the whole organism of the Christian’s supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.
If God has ordained perseverance, and He ensures that perseverance is guaranteed, then what effort is required? If it’s His will, and His actions, and His perseverence, then what in the world does He need (some of) us for?
That’s interesting circular logic: all true Christians fall away and are brought back so that shows a true Christian. All untrue Christians fall away and are not brought back (or never were, they just appeared to be there), so that by definition they are not true Christians. Could you expand on the bringing back process? How does one know if one is brought back?
I agree that the thief is a special exception. Jesus brought him to Salvation by His own direct action. We have no recourse to such action; we go along in the fashion that He directed us.
Thanks for the Catechism quotes. But here, the Holy Spirit does not really blow wither He wills, but rather wither He is brought? :) I know the priest asks, but has the Spirit ever said "no"? If not, then the Spirit follows the lead of the priest. There are plenty of concrete examples in the Bible of the Spirit entering those who were already believers. Are there any of the Spirit entering unbelieving infants?
(1213) ... “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.”
OK, so regeneration is at baptism and is confirmed later. So, presumably, if a child for some reason is never confirmed, that should not affect his status.
If God has ordained perseverance, and He ensures that perseverance is guaranteed, then what effort is required? If it’s His will, and His actions, and His perseverance, then what in the world does He need (some of) us for?
I'm not sure what you mean by "effort". If "effort" means free will works apart from God, then no further effort is required. If effort means the accomplishing of God's plan for us on earth per His direction then the effort is in the execution. God wants me to evangelize so He causes me to get up and go do that in various ways. ...... God actually does not "need" us for anything. While we are very loved, we are no where near that important. God is not my co-pilot.
That’s interesting circular logic: all true Christians fall away and are brought back so that shows a true Christian. All untrue Christians fall away and are not brought back (or never were, they just appeared to be there), so that by definition they are not true Christians.
Well no wonder you didn't quote me first before you wrote this. It wouldn't have made any sense then. Here is what I actually said:
FK: "It is common for true Christians to fall away temporarily, but God ALWAYS either brings them back or brings them home."
Unless you are responding to some other part of my post, I don't see how these really relate to each other.
Could you expand on the bringing back process? How does one know if one is brought back?
The same way one can know one is saved. A person either stops (or never starts) living a Godly life in service to the Lord by bearing fruit. At some point God changes this and brings the person back home so that he does bear fruit.
I agree that the thief is a special exception. Jesus brought him to Salvation by His own direct action. We have no recourse to such action; we go along in the fashion that He directed us.
GOODNESS, Mark! :) If you're not going to post my comment that you're responding to, do I really have to go back and do it to avoid grievous error? :) Here is what I actually said:
Do you see the thief as a special exception, and not consistent with what is otherwise taught in scripture? I do not. Grace through faith, period. :) His perseverance was his dying testimony. He was no different than any of us. (emphasis added)
There are no special exceptions among men for salvation, just as there are no special exceptions among men being without sins.