The Background
Baptism: 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 origins of the sacrament
Reference points in the bible:
Reform and be baptized Acts 2:37-38
Promise of the Spirit John 14:16-17
Spirit of peace John 20:19-20
Pentecost Acts 2:1-4
Jesus’ Baptism Mark 1:10-11
Spirit upon Jesus Luke 4:18-19
Into the water Acts 8:36-39
Buried with Christ Romans 6:3-4
Baptised through listening Acts 10:44-48
Laying on of Hands Acts 8: 14-17 Acts 19: 3-6
Profession of faith Romans 10:9
Clothed in Christ Galatians 3:27
The origins of the sacrament
Reference points in the bible:
Reform and be baptized Acts 2:37-38
Promise of the Spirit John 14:16-17
Spirit of peace John 20:19-20
Pentecost Acts 2:1-4
Jesus’ Baptism Mark 1:10-11
Spirit upon Jesus Luke 4:18-19
Into the water Acts 8:36-39
Buried with Christ Romans 6:3-4
Baptised through listening Acts 10:44-48
Laying on of Hands Acts 8: 14-17 Acts 19: 3-6
Profession of faith Romans 10:9
Clothed in Christ Galatians 3:27
Baptism in classified as the first sacrament of initiation.
In the early Church (100AD) the newly baptized were welcomed from the waters by the Bishop, and he would often lay hands on them and then proceed to anoint them (called chrismation) on the forehead, with perfumed oil, in the form of a cross. During the first generations of Christianity, Baptism had often been accompanied by signs of the Spirits presence: speaking in tongues, prophesying, and healing.
In 500AD the focus went from adults being baptized to initiating children (infants) into the community.
Jesus' Baptism
John the Baptist was the first person shown in the Bible to baptize. When John the Baptist baptised Jesus, a beautiful thing happened. God showed to everyone who was present that 'Jesus' was 'the One Who is anointed by God'. That means that Jesus was God the Father's Chosen One, the One Who God had promised to send to save the people he loved. When Jesus was anointed, he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. This anointing proved that Jesus was God. [Mt. 3:16-7; Mk. 1:24; Jn. 6:69; Acts 3:14] (C.C.C. # 438)
The public life of Jesus began with His Baptism on the shore of the Jordan River. It ended with Jesus commanding the Apostles to "go and make disciples of all, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that He had commanded them." [Mt. 28:19-20] (C.C.C. # 1223) These Words of Jesus from the Holy Bible teach the Christians the great importance of the Sacrament of Baptism. "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.'" [Mk. 16:15-5] (C.C.C. # 977).
In the early Church (100AD) the newly baptized were welcomed from the waters by the Bishop, and he would often lay hands on them and then proceed to anoint them (called chrismation) on the forehead, with perfumed oil, in the form of a cross. During the first generations of Christianity, Baptism had often been accompanied by signs of the Spirits presence: speaking in tongues, prophesying, and healing.
In 500AD the focus went from adults being baptized to initiating children (infants) into the community.
Jesus' Baptism
John the Baptist was the first person shown in the Bible to baptize. When John the Baptist baptised Jesus, a beautiful thing happened. God showed to everyone who was present that 'Jesus' was 'the One Who is anointed by God'. That means that Jesus was God the Father's Chosen One, the One Who God had promised to send to save the people he loved. When Jesus was anointed, he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. This anointing proved that Jesus was God. [Mt. 3:16-7; Mk. 1:24; Jn. 6:69; Acts 3:14] (C.C.C. # 438)
The public life of Jesus began with His Baptism on the shore of the Jordan River. It ended with Jesus commanding the Apostles to "go and make disciples of all, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that He had commanded them." [Mt. 28:19-20] (C.C.C. # 1223) These Words of Jesus from the Holy Bible teach the Christians the great importance of the Sacrament of Baptism. "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.'" [Mk. 16:15-5] (C.C.C. # 977).
The
significance of the sacrament in general Catholic life
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to the life in the Spirit, 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, and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in his mission” (CCC #1213). Through Baptism the Spirit dwells within the believer, we are formed in the image and likeness of God. Baptism empowers people to live like Jesus.
Those Baptised are freed from original sin and welcomed into the Body of the Christ and the Church: “Baptism which is necessary for Salvation is the sign and the means of God’s love, which frees us from original sin and communicated to us a share in divine life” Instruction on infant Baptism, 1980, p.16). From the first Pentecost the Church celebrated and administered Baptism: “You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2: 22-39)
Share in the divine nature of the Holy Spirit: “Jesus shares the Holy Spirit with all who are baptised. The Spirit dwells today within the baptised Christian.. From within the Spirit prompts and stirs the responsive Christian” (The Word Dwells Among Us, 1990, p.234)
Leads us closer to God: Develop Faith; Becoming a member of the Body of Christ.
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to the life in the Spirit, 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, and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in his mission” (CCC #1213). Through Baptism the Spirit dwells within the believer, we are formed in the image and likeness of God. Baptism empowers people to live like Jesus.
Those Baptised are freed from original sin and welcomed into the Body of the Christ and the Church: “Baptism which is necessary for Salvation is the sign and the means of God’s love, which frees us from original sin and communicated to us a share in divine life” Instruction on infant Baptism, 1980, p.16). From the first Pentecost the Church celebrated and administered Baptism: “You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2: 22-39)
Share in the divine nature of the Holy Spirit: “Jesus shares the Holy Spirit with all who are baptised. The Spirit dwells today within the baptised Christian.. From within the Spirit prompts and stirs the responsive Christian” (The Word Dwells Among Us, 1990, p.234)
Leads us closer to God: Develop Faith; Becoming a member of the Body of Christ.