BpAndre
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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject: Baptism |
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Baptism
Baptism is the initiation of the new believer into life as a Christian. It is mandated and established by Christ Himself, and the Apostles strictly instructed every new convert that they must be baptized. Entire households were baptized, including servants, children and infants, without delay. Indeed, St. Paul answers the jailer who asks, “What must I do to be saved?” by responding that he must believe and be baptized, which he did, along with his entire household. (Acts 16:27-33)
Inherent in baptism is God’s grace, His love, and a beginning for us to commune with Him through the sacramental covenant bond begun through baptism. For this reason, He commanded His Disciples to baptize, so as to initiate individuals into the Body of Christ.
(Matthew 28:18-20) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Baptism is not optional, nor is it a mere ceremony to demonstrate one’s belief in God. Baptism is commanded by Christ Himself, a necessity for us to be able to “enter into the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:4-5,22) “Jesus answered him,’ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ’How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…’After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized.” [emphasis added]
Infants and children too, are to be baptized as soon as possible. (Matthew 19:13-15) “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.”
“At dawn a prayer shall be offered over the water. Where there is no scarcity of water the stream shall flow through the baptismal font or pour into it from above; but if water is scarce, whether as constant condition or on occasion, then use whatever water is available. Let them remove their clothing. Baptize first the children; and if they can speak for themselves, let them do so. Otherwise, let the parents or other relatives speak for them.” St. Hippolytus of Rome, The Apostolic Tradition, 215 AD 7
“The Church received from the Apostles the tradition of giving Baptism even to infants. For the Apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of divine mysteries, knew that there is in everyone the innate stain of sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit.” Origen, Commentaries on Romans, 244 AD 8
“If, in the case of the worst sinners and of those who formerly sinned much against God, when afterwards they believe, the remission of their sins is granted and no one is held back from Baptism and grace, how much more, then, should an infant not be held back, who, having but recently been born, has done no sin, except that, born of flesh according to Adam, he has contracted the contagion of that old death from his first being born. For this very reason does he approach more easily to receive the remission of sins: because the sins forgiven him are not his own but those of another.” St. Cyprian of Carthage, Letter of Cyprian and his Colleagues in Council to the Number of Sixty-six: To Fidus, 251/252 AD 9
As circumcision was for the Jew, initiation into accountability under Mosaic Law and the Old Covenant, Baptism is the initiation into accountability as a Christian and the New Covenant. And like the requirement of circumcision of the Old Covenant, one who was born into the first-born nation of God was circumcised on the eight day (Luke 1:21) or if converting as an adult, would still undergo circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14). The law of God is absolute, and to violate it would bring God’s judgment (Exodus 4:24-26). In the New Testament man receives instruction directly from God made man, in Christ Jesus, that, in order to be saved, it was necessary to repent and be baptized. Jesus instructed His disciples to “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Baptism is no mere symbol, it actually confers God’s grace upon the new believer. This is not a new concept, but taught throughout the existence of the Church. Early Church Father, St. Justin the Martyr [A.D. 110-165], in his First Apology, in giving a defense of the beliefs of the Church, states:
“I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ; lest, if we omit this, we seem to be unfair in the explanation we are making. As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, ‘Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers' wombs, is manifest to all. And how those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins, is declared by Esaias the prophet, as I wrote above; he thus speaks: ‘Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from your souls; learn to do well; judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow: and come and let us reason together,’ saith the Lord. And though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and though they be as crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if ye refuse and rebel, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Ch. LXI) CCEL.
And for this [rite] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; he who leads to the laver the person that is to be washed calling him by this name alone. For no one can utter the name of the ineffable God; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness. And this washing is called illumination, because they who learn these things are illuminated in their understandings. And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, he who is illuminated is washed.”
[cited from the CANC Catechism]
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Bishop Andre' Jhohn-William Queen, SCR
Vicar General
Catholic Apostolic National Church
Phone: 773.942.4660 |
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