Baptism
The word “baptism” comes from the Greek meaning to “plunge”
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or “immerse.” The Catechism explains: “The ‘plunge’ into the
water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death,
from which he rises up by the resurrection with him, as ‘a new creature.’
This sacrament is also called ‘the washing of regeneration and
renewal by the Holy Spirit
the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one ‘can enter the
kingdom of God.’” (CCC 1214-1215)
That last passage refers to John 3:5 where Jesus said, “No one can
enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” The
Church has always taken that as a clear reference to baptism.
Baptism is not just symbolic. God actually DOES something in the
sacrament: forgives sins and imbues the Holy Spirit. This is clear from
Acts 2:38 where St. Peter says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism washes away the
stain of original sin; and if one is baptized as an adult, any actual sins
are forgiven.
The New Testament has many references to baptism, including the
words of Jesus from Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved.” Baptism is the beginning of our salvation journey.
Finally, the Catechism sums things up perfectly in paragraphs 1277 and
1279. “Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with
the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself,
which we enter by Baptism. The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace,
is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal
sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of
the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
For further study:
CCC 1213-1284 • John 3:1-7 • Acts 2:37-41
Titus 3:5 • Matthew 28:19-20 • Mark 16:16