|
Basic
Catholic Q and A's
The numbers in parenthese that
follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism
of the Catholic Church.
Baptism
1. What is Baptism?
2. From what sins does Jesus set us free in Baptism?
3. What other effects does Baptism have?
4. What is the baptismal seal or character?
5. How is Baptism given?
6. What makes up the sign of Baptism?
7. What do the water and words stand for?
8. Who may receive Baptism?
9. Who are catechumens?
10. Is Baptism necessary?
11. Since Baptism is necessary for salvation, what
will happen to those people who, through no fault of their own, have
not received it? Can they be saved?
12. What is baptism of blood?
13. What is baptism of desire?
14. How do non-Christians receive salvation?
15. Why does the Church baptize infants?
16. Should the Baptism of infants be put off
for a long period of time?
17. Should an infant be baptized without the
permission of a parent or guardian?
18. What happens to infants who die unbaptized?
19. Can we be baptized more than once?
20. What is conditional Baptism?
1. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament in which Jesus sends us his Spirit,
who frees us from sin and gives us the grace by which we become God's
children, heirs of heaven, members of the Church and temples of the
Blessed Trinity. (1213)
You were buried
with him in baptism and in baptism you also rose with him through
faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from the dead (Col 2:12).
2. From what sins does Jesus set us
free in Baptism?
In Baptism Jesus sets us free from original sin and all personal
sins we may have committed before being baptized, as well as all punishment
due for sin. (1263)
Blessed be the
God Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy we have been
reborn to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead... (1 Pt 1:3).
3. What other effects does Baptism
have?
At Baptism we receive sanctifying grace, the theological or God-given
virtues, and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. We become new creatures,
partakers of the divine nature, co-heirs with Christ, members of his
Church, and temples of the Holy Spirit. (1265-1266)
You see the sort
of love the Father gave us so we could be called children of God-and
we are! (1 Jn 3:1).
4. What is the baptismal seal
or character?
In Baptism we also receive a permanent spiritual seal called a
character,which sets us apart as belonging to Jesus Christ. This character
or seal enables us to take part in Christian worship and to witness
to Christ. Other sacraments which confer a lasting seal are Confirmation
and Holy Orders. (1121, 1272-1274, 1280)
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit,
with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph 4:30).
5. How is Baptism given?
Baptism is given by pouring water on the forehead while saying
the necessary words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It also may be given
by sprinkling the forehead or by immersion. (1284)
The rite of Baptism
brings out the sacrament's meaning through various signs and symbols.
But the essential part is saying the words at the same time that the
water flows on the forehead. (1234-1246)
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... (Mt 28:18-19).
6. What makes up the sign of
Baptism?
The sign of Baptism is made up of water and words. (1278)
7. What do the water and words
stand for?
The water stands for the removal of sin and the giving of new
life called grace. The words show that the person is entering a new
and lasting relationship with our Triune God-Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. (1228, 1279)
8. Who may receive Baptism?
Any unbaptized person may receive Baptism. If the person has
reached what is called the "age of reason"-able to understand-he
or she must also want to receive the sacrament and have faith and
sorrow for sin, with the intention of avoiding future sin. (1246,
1257)
Such a life is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, whose wish is
that all may be saved and may come to knowledge of the truth (1 Tm
2:3-4).
9. Who are catechumens?
Catechumens are unbaptized persons who are taking instructions
to become Catholics. (1247-1249)
10. Is Baptism necessary?
Baptism is necessary for salvation for everyone who has heard
the Good News. Through Baptism our sins are forgiven, we receive the
life of grace, are made children of God, and are incorporated into
Christ and his Church. (1257)
Each of you must
repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for
the promise is to you and your children and to all who are far away-anyone
the Lord our God calls (Acts 2:38-39).
11. Since Baptism is necessary
for salvation, what will happen to those people who, through no fault
of their own, have not received it? Can they be saved?
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. (1258-1260)
12. What is baptism of blood?
Baptism of blood is the reception of grace by an unbaptized person
because the person gives his or her life for love of Christ or a Christian
virtue. (1258, 1281)
13. What is baptism of desire?
Baptism of desire is the reception of grace because of perfect
love of God or perfect contrition for sin and the desire to do God's
will. In other words, if the person were able to receive the sacrament,
he or she would have been baptized. (1259-1260)
14. How do non-Christians receive
salvation?
Anyone who lives a good, upright life, who seeks the truth, or
who does the will of God as he or she knows it, can be saved. These
persons would ask for Baptism if they knew about it. (1260)
15. Why does the Church baptize
infants?
The Church baptizes infants so that they may be reborn to the
divine life of grace in Christ Jesus and become heirs of heaven. (1250-1252)
Give thanks to
the Father who made you worthy to share in the portion of the saints
in light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought
us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, by whom we are redeemed and
our sins are forgiven (Col 1:12-14).
16. Should the Baptism of infants
be put off for a long period of time?
Children should be baptized within the first few weeks after
birth. Catholic parents who put it off for a long time, or entirely
neglect to baptize their children, deprive them of the priceless sacrament
of faith. Believing parents desire that their children grow up in
Christ, as members of the Church, free of the impediment of original
sin. (1250)
I say to you,
if you are not born of water and the Spirit you cannot enter the kingdom
of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the
Spirit is spirit (Jn 3:5-6).
17. Should an infant be baptized
without the permission of a parent or guardian?
An infant should not be baptized without the permission of a
parent or guardian, except when in danger of death. The parent or
guardian must see to the Christian upbringing of a baptized child,
for the infant is baptized "in the faith of the Church."
(1257, 1282)
18. What happens to infants
who die unbaptized?
The Church entrusts these infants to God's mercy. Since God wills
that all be saved, it is reasonable to hope that in his mercy he will
provide salvation and eternal beatitude. (1261)
Let the children
come to me! Do not stop them! For of such as these is the kingdom
of God (Mk 10:14).
19. Can we be baptized more
than once?
No, we can be baptized only once. Due to the permanent spiritual
seal we received at Baptism there is no need to be rebaptized. (1272,
1280)
20. What is conditional Baptism?
Conditional Baptism is giving Baptism on the condition that it
can be received (using such words as: "if you are not baptized,
I baptize you..." or "if you are alive, I baptize you...").
This is permitted because Baptism is necessary for salvation.
More…
Contents
page
|
