I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS A. Why the Sacraments?

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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.