Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation. It is the first Sacrament we can receive. It opens the door to all of the other Sacraments.
Baptism is necessary for our salvation. In the Gospel of John, chapter 3 verse 5, we see this clearly ..."Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit."
In the Gospels we see the baptisms happened before Jesus. John the Baptist baptized many people calling them to repentance. Even Jesus was baptized!
Read Matthew 3: 1-3, 13-17:
"In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea saying, “Repent,- for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” ...
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In the Acts of the Apostles (after Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection) it is clear that those who received the Christian Baptism also received the Holy Spirit, had their sins forgiven and became members of the Church. The same thing happens at our Baptism.
Read Acts 2: 37-41:
- Many people are baptized when they are infants, but you can be baptized at any age. When you are baptized as an infant, your parents make the profession of faith for you.
- The minister of Baptism is priest or deacon.
Baptism begins with the Baptismal vows.
- The person being baptized (or their parents if it is an infant) respond to the statements of the Creed by saying “I do” (Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? R: I do.)
- We do this because we are saying that this is the faith we believe and that we want to be baptized into.
- During Baptism, the person being baptized is either immersed in the water of the Baptismal font or the water is poured on their head by the priest or deacon.
What are the effects of Baptism?
- Forgiveness of Sins- Baptism is the chief Sacrament for the forgiveness of sin. During Baptism, we are cleansed of Original Sin, which causes our separation from God. The water represents our being born to a new life in Christ and we become a new creation.
- Child of God- During Baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit and we become a member of God’s family because He now lives in us.
- Members of the Body of Christ- Baptism incorporates us into the Church. We are called to participate in the life of the Church and serve other members.
Baptism places an indelible spiritual mark on our soul
- This means that nothing can take us away from Christ. We have been chosen for Him for all of eternity. No sin or mistake can ever erase this mark.
- Our Baptism is the greatest gift we have received.
At our Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit, and through Confirmation we receive the fullness of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
- Confirmation makes “firm” the faith of our Baptism. We receive a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit which enables us to live a life of mission.