The Sacraments: Source of Our Life in Christ Mr. Michael Borges Cardinal Spellman High School Theology 11
Dec 23, 2015
The Sacraments: Source of Our Life in Christ
Mr. Michael Borges
Cardinal Spellman High School
Theology 11
Through Baptism (1) we are freed from sin and (2) reborn as children of God; (3) we become members of
Christ, are (4) incorporated into the Church, and (5) made sharers in her mission.
Understanding the Sacrament of Baptism
Baptizein (Greek)
: “to plunge or immerse”
Being buried with Christ (death) and emerging as a “new creation” (Resurrection)
Baptism Prefigured in the Old Testament
• Creation (Gen 1)
• The Great Flood (Gen 7-9)
• The Red Sea Crossing (Ex 14)
Baptism revealed in the New Testament
The ministry of John the Baptist (Mk 1:1-8)
The Baptism of Jesus (Mt 3:13-17)1. Jesus’ baptism shows us the
value of “humility”
2. Jesus’ baptism prefigures his baptism in blood at the Cross
3. Jesus’ baptism is a revelation of his true identity - the Messiah
“Born Again” (Jn 3:1-5) The Great Commission (Mt 28:16-20; Mk
16:14-16) St. Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:37-39) St. Paul’s epistles (Rom 6:3-4; Tit 3:5; Eph
5:26) St. Peter’s letter (1 Pet 3:21)
The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Baptism brings new life in Christ
Confirmation strengthens the new life
Eucharist nourishes the new life with Christ’s Body and Blood
Baptism brings new life in Christ
Confirmation strengthens the new life
Eucharist nourishes the new life with Christ’s Body and Blood
• They “gather in” God’s people and make us members of Christ’s Body, the Church
• They give us the life of Christ and bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we can be Christ for others
The Celebration of Baptism
The essential rite of Baptism consists in (a) immersing the candidate in water (Immersion) or (b) pouring water on the head of the candidate three times (Affusion) and (c) pronouncing the words, “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The ordinary minister of Baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon.
Extraordinary minister = ANYONE
Symbols of Baptism
Symbol
Water
Oil
White garmentCandle
Symbol
Water
Oil
White garmentCandle
Meaning
cleansing, death to an old life of sin and rebirth into new life with Christ
anointing with Christ (the “anointed one”), we belong to him, we receive the Holy Spirit who protects, guides, strengthens
purity, happiness, and a new identity of living in union with the Lord
Christ is the light of the world and his followers should be Christ’s light to others
Meaning
cleansing, death to an old life of sin and rebirth into new life with Christ
anointing with Christ (the “anointed one”), we belong to him, we receive the Holy Spirit who protects, guides, strengthens
purity, happiness, and a new identity of living in union with the Lord
Christ is the light of the world and his followers should be Christ’s light to others
Effects of Baptism
Baptism forgives both Original Sin and personal sin and remits all punishment due to sin
Baptism gives us birth into a new life in Christ
Baptism initiates and incorporates us into Christ’s Body, the Church
Baptism seals Christians with an indelible spiritual character that marks us as belonging to Christ