124. The Sacrament of Baptism

1. The first picture shows Jesus being baptised by St. John the Baptist in the river Jordan, before He began His public life. This baptism was a figure of the sacrament that Christ was to institute later. 2. The Apostles baptised all converts before they were admitted into the Church. On the first Pentecost, three thousand were baptised. Philip, one of the first seven deacons, after instructing the eunuch whom he had met reading the Scriptures, baptised him in a river they were passing.

What is Baptism?

— Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven.

Baptism is the very first sacrament we may receive. Unless we are baptised, we are forbidden to receive any other sacraments. Baptism has the three essentials of a sacrament: (a) it was instituted by Christ; (b) it is a sensible sign; and (c) it confers grace.

1. The sacrament of Baptism was instituted by Christ at His own Baptism, and commanded at His Ascension.

He said to the Apostles: "Going therefore make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). The Apostles obeyed His command on the very day of Pentecost. In answer to the question of the multitudes, "What shall we do?" after Peter's first sermon, Peter said, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). About 3000 persons were baptised.

2. The matter and form of the sacrament consist in the ablution with water together with the pronouncing of the words: "I baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"

Baptism may be validly administered in any of three ways: Immersion is plunging the candidate into the water. Infusion is pouring the water. Aspersion is sprinkling the water.

3. The sacrament of Baptism confers grace. We know this from the fact that Christ made it the sacrament of renewal of spirit; "Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

St. Peter said: "Be baptised 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" (Acts 2:38).

What are the effects of Baptism?

— Baptism washes us from original sin, at the same time imparting sanctifying grace into our souls; it makes us Christians, children of God, with a right to the kingdom of heaven.

1. Baptism is the only sacrament that can remit original sin. It cleanses us from all sin, original and actual, and remits all punishment due.

If an adult receives baptism with the proper dispositions, that is, with faith and contrition, his actual sins are taken away with original sin, as well as all temporal punishment due to his actual sins. Thus if an adult dies immediately after baptism, he goes straight to heaven, whatever the sins he may have committed. "He who believes and is baptised shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

2. When Baptism takes away original sin, it gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace. Thus by Baptism we are born again.

If sanctifying grace is lost after baptism by the commission of mortal sin, it can be regained through the sacrament of penance alone.

3. By Baptism we become members of the Church and children of God. We are given the right to enter heaven, and to gain merits by our good works.

By it, we are given the right to receive the other sacraments. At the same time, we receive sacramental grace which entitles us to actual graces we need to live a Christian life.

4. Baptism imprints an indelible sign or character on the soul.

This character marks us as Christians, and cannot be removed by anything, even mortal sin. This character prevents the sacrament from being repeated; we can be baptised only once. "For all you who have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).

Why is Baptism necessary for the salvation of all men?

— Baptism is necessary for the salvation of all men, because Christ has said: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

From the time of Christ, this has been the unequivocal teaching of the Church. The reason lies in the fact that only Baptism can remit original sin; no one with any taint can enter heaven.

1. Those who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved through what is called baptism of blood or baptism of desire.

Either baptism of desire or of blood entitles one to the possession of heaven, just as baptism by water. However, only baptism by water imprints a character on the soul, and so entitles one to the reception of the other sacraments.

(a) An unbaptised person receives the baptism of blood when he suffers martyrdom for the faith of Christ.

One who lays down his life for Christ or some Christian virtue is said to have received baptism of blood. Our Lord promised; "He who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 10:39). Thus the Holy Innocents whom Herod slew out of hatred for the Infant Jesus received the baptism of blood.

(b) An unbaptized person receives the baptism of desire when he loves God above all things, and desires to do all that is necessary for his salvation.

One who loves God above all things, is sorry for his sins, and ardently longs for Baptism when it is impossible to receive it; or, one who not knowing the necessity of Baptism, sincerely wishes to do all required for salvation, is said to have received baptism of desire. Our Lord promised that whoever loves Him will be loved by the Father (John 14:21). Therefore only those who have attained the use of reason can profit from the baptism of desire.

2. Children should be baptised as soon as possible after birth, if possible, within a week. This practice dates from the Apostles.

Except when in danger of death, an infant should not be baptised without the permission of a parent or guardian. Children who have come to the age of reason cannot be baptised without their own consent.

(a) Infants may receive the baptism of blood, but not the baptism of desire, since they have not as yet the use of reason. However, their lack of Baptism may be supplied in a way we do not know, perhaps even by the desire of the mother. For who has trusted in the Infinite and merciful God, and found Him deaf to supplication?

Some pious Doctors of the Church believe that little babies who die without Baptism may even receive it from an angel. But since this is only pious belief, parents sin mortally if they neglect the Baptism of their children.

(b) Since infants who die unbaptized have committed no sins, they live in a place of natural happiness called "limbo".

Catholic parents who put off for a long time, or entirely neglect the baptism of their children, put them in danger of losing heaven and the vision of God eternally. Although in limbo, infants enjoy complete natural happiness surpassing any on earth, such happiness cannot compare with the bliss of heaven, where souls see God face to face. One is natural, the other supernatural joy.