194 Baptism is the Beginning of a Lasting Communion with God

YOUCAT Lesson 194

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

194  What is Baptism?

Baptism is the way out of the kingdom of death into life, the gateway to the Church, and the beginning of a lasting communion with God.  [1213-1216, 1276-1278]

…….Stained glass above: …..“Go therefore teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,” from  Matthew 28:19 is the theme of  The Great Commission, stained glass window at Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick in El Paso, Texas. …..194

Baptism is the foundational sacrament and the prerequisite for all other sacraments.  It unites us with Jesus Christ, incorporates us into his redemptive death on the Cross, thereby freeing us from the power of Original Sin and all personal sins, and causes us to rise with him to a life without end.  Since Baptism is a covenant with God, the individual must say Yes to it.  In the baptism of children, the parents confess the faith on behalf of the children.  197

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.  2 Corinthians 5:17

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.  Matthew 28:19

…….THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

…….1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), (compare Council Of Florence: Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1314: vitae spiritualis ianu)⁴   and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (Roman Catechism II,2,5; compare Council Of Florence: Denzingr-Schönmetzer 1314; Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 204 § 1; 849; Corpus Canonum Ecclesirm Orientalium, can. 675 § 1.)⁵ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

I.            WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

…….1214   This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature." (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; compare Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 ⁶ –CCC

…….1215   This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God." (Titus 3:5; John 3:5)⁷ –CCC

…….1216   "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding . . . ." (St. Justin, Apol. 1,61,12:Patrologia Graeca 6,421)⁸    Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself (John 1:9;  1  Thessalonians 5:5; Hebrews 10:32; Ephesians 5:8)⁹ –CCC

IN BRIEF

…….1276 "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" (Matthew 28:19-20). --CCC

…….1277 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. –CCC

…….1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. --CCC