"Good can exist without evil, but evil cannot exist without good.”

-Aquinas

  

BaptismCCC 1256 - The ordinary ministers of Baptism

are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon. In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize, by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention

required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.

  

BaptismThe Forgiveness of Sins

Sin is an abuse of the freedom that God gives us.

Concupiscence—the inclination to sinBaptism grants the life of Christ’s grace

and turns us back to GodProtoevangelium—the first announcement

of the Messiah and Redeemer

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

Becoming a “New Creature”Our fundamental identity is changed

Baptized people receive sanctifying grace—the grace of justification

Enables us to believe in GodGives us the power to live and act under

the Holy SpiritAllows us to grow in goodness

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

Incorporated into the ChurchBaptism makes us members of the Church

Right to receive the other sacramentsRight to be nourished with the Word of

GodRight to take part in and be sustained “by the other spiritual helps of the Church”

We share in the priesthood of Christ

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

CCC 1267 - Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ

From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits

(race, gender, etc.)

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

Unity with other ChristiansBaptism strengthens the opportunity for

unity among all ChristiansThe Church recognizes most Christian

baptism as valid“We believe in one baptism for the

forgiveness of sins”

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

CCC 1268 - By Baptism we share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission.

We are "a chosen race” that may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his

marvelous light.Remind you of anything from the OT?

CCC 1269 - Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but

to him who died and rose for us.From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve

them in the communion of the ChurchHas the rights to to receive the sacraments, to be nourished

with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

CCC 1268 - By Baptism we share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission.

We are "a chosen race” that may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his

marvelous light.Remind you of anything from the OT?

CCC 1269 - Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but

to him who died and rose for us.From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve

them in the communion of the ChurchHas the rights to to receive the sacraments, to be nourished

with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.

BaptismThe Grace of Baptism

CCC 1270 - Participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.

CCC 1271 - Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians

"For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, they are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are

accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church." "Baptism therefore constitutes the

sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."

BaptismThe Necessity of Baptism

Because Jesus said so.“Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of

water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

CCC 1257 - The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.

Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking

for this sacrament.The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that

assures entry into eternal life due to the instruction given by Christ

God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.

BaptismThe Necessity of Baptism (Salvation without water)Examples of how God is not bound to the sacrament

Baptism of bloodCCC 1258 - Those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by

their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a

sacrament.Baptism of desire

CCC 1259 - For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the

sacrament.

BaptismThe Church teaches that Baptism is necessary for

salvation.So…

What would the Church tell grieving parents of a stillborn child or a child who was miscarried since

these children have never received baptism?

The Church emphasizes God’s great mercy in these tragic situations

God cherishes the dignity of every human conceivedOur responsibility as Catholics to protect the lives of

the unbornAlso, the desire of the parents for their child to be

baptized is a type of “Baptism of desire”

Acts 8:27-38Phillip was an Apostle

Preached to Gentiles in Samaria and AfricaCame across Eunuch reading book of

IsaiahEunuch asked to be baptized

In Egypt, it was the practice of the Pharaohs to have large harems of womenThese women were protected by eunuchsMale officials (slaves) who were castrated

so that they would not have sex with Pharaoh’s women.

Eunuch’s were considered outcast’s by Jewish culture because of their physical condition.

They could not be circumcised and could not be admitted to Judaism

Phillip’s conversion of the Eunuch shows that God invites all people into His Church.

The Eunuch did not have to become a Jew to become a Christian.

An example of “Baptism of desire”Was reading scripture and attempting to

understand who the Messiah was.

Either bishops, priests, or deacons are the ordinary ministers for the Sacrament of

BaptismHowever…

In emergency situations anyone, Catholic or non-Christian, can baptize another so

long as the Trinitarian formula and immersion or pouring of water is used

Just as the Church doesSacrament is still efficacious

References: Chapel, Garrett. (2015). Sacraments

[PowerPoint presentation]. Detroit, MI.