Baptism
Baptism, is a “… sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, Christians are cleansed from all sin, re-born, and sanctified in Christ to life everlasting.” (Laux, 12) This most important sacrament is necessary for one’s salvation. The reason for this is because one cannot go to heaven without being baptized. There are many factors that go into baptism such as the form, matter, and minister. From this sacrament the recipient can merit many different graces and other gifts from God.
The word baptism means to be immerged or dripping, or under water by washing. (Laux, 12) An interesting thing about the sacrament of Baptism is that it was not instituted when St. John the Baptist was baptized. In the case of St. John, the ceremony that took place is said to have been an act of penance, and was not seen as a sacrament. Father Laux says that it was not a sacrament because it did not remit sin and was not needed. When Christ baptized St. John in a way he was instituting the sacrament. So the sacrament only existed after the baptism of St. John had been baptized. “… it did not remit sin ex opere operato, but only ex opere operanis.” (Laux, 12) IN other words, Christ baptizing St. John did not remit sin, “by the very fact of the actions being performed.” But rather St. John’s sins were remitted because of the fact that Jesus Christ; the Son of God was preforming the act, in other words, “from the work of the doer.” (CC, 1128)
The sacrament of Baptism was instituted by Christ. One thing that the Church has decided on is that there is no clear place where Christ instituted the sacrament, but it is often believed that Christ instituted the sacrament when He baptized St. John. So another words, St. John’s actual baptism was not a sacrament then and there for the above mentioned reasons. However, the way Christ baptized St. John put into stone the way others should be baptized. Even though the church is not positive of the official time Baptism was instituted, it knows for sure that it was instituted by Christ. An example is: “All power is given to Me in heaven and earth. Go, therefore, teaching all nations baptizing them in the name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28, 18-20).
The Essay on How John Locke Inspired Maria Montessori
Childhood John Locke was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, a village in the English country of Somerset. He was baptized the same day. Soon after his birth, the family moved to the market town of Pensford, about seven miles south of Bristol, where Locke grew up in an old fashioned stone farmhouse . His father was a county lawyer to the Justices of the Peace and his mother was a simple tanners ...
In this quote Jesus is telling His disciples to go out and baptize all nations. In reading the passage scripture, it can be seen that Jesus Christ himself, gave the disciples a mission to baptize all nations. He even gave them the form, or the words, that are still in use today. By this it can also be seen how noting as powerful as a sacrament could be instituted by anyone but God. No other person or being has the power to institute a sacrament. God gave this power strictly to His Son only.
In the sacrament of Baptism there are a few essential factors that must be present if the sacrament is to be administered properly. Essentials of baptism are the proper matter and form, the proper minister and a recipient. The first thing that must be present is the proper matter and form. The matter of the sacrament is water. Proximate matter for the sacrament of Baptism is washing by water of the recipient. Water must be flowing and must touch the skin of the recipient. The remote matter of Baptism is the pure natural water used in the Sacrament. It is very important that pure water be used and not just any liquid. Also, the pure water used in Baptism is usually blessed on Holy Saturday or on the Vigil of Pentecost when used in a solemn ceremony. The proximate matter of Baptism is the actual pouring of the holy water onto the recipient. There are three ways that someone can be washed by water in Baptism. These three ways are through: immersion, aspersion and infusion. Immersion is when the participant is completely dipped into the pure flowing water, aspersion is when the person is sprinkled with water and infusion is when the water is poured over the head or body over the person.
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'Baptism'; In the Greek language of Jesus' day, the word baptize meant to dip or immerse an object in water. In its Christian use baptize came to mean the act of Baptism, or the washing and cleansing of something to renew it. Jesus' Baptism took place in the Jordan River. (Gospel According to Mark) John, an apostle, was the man responsible for this glorious moment in religious history. Later, he ...
Another thing that is part of Baptism is the form. The form of Baptism is the words used during the ceremony, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”(Laux, 15 ) One more important element of Baptism that cannot be over looked is the minister of the sacrament. There are three different cases where three different ministers can administer the sacrament. These three different scenarios are: ordinary means, extraordinary means, and in case of necessity. In the case of ordinary means the minister is usually a bishop or priest. In the case of an extraordinary means a deacon can administer the sacrament if there is not a priest or bishop available. In case of necessity any person can administer the sacrament, even pagan. As long as the minister’s goal is to baptize the recipient, and he or she uses the correct form and matter, the sacrament is valid. The recipient can be anyone, a man or women, child, elderly person or infant. Usually people are baptized as infants, however if someone is not an infant and wants to be baptized or is on their death bed they are allowed to get baptized.
Through receiving the sacrament of Baptism the Christian receives a few different effects. First, Baptism remits all sin and any obstacles due to sin. Second, it bestows sanctifying and sacramental grace while also infusing all the virtues into the soul. Lastly, through Baptism, an indelible mark, which is a permanent mark, is placed on the recipient which makes him or her a member of Christ and the Church forever. (Laux, 16)
The reason why this sacrament is necessary for salvation is because without it, no one can go to Heaven. Without baptism people will not be in the necessary state of grace that is needed for salvation. Also, the sacrament of Baptism is needed for the reception of all the other sacraments, which are another way that help people get to heaven. Thankfully, if a person, for some reason, is unable to receive the sacrament when he is born, there are a few different ways to be baptized besides baptism through water, while still meriting sanctifying grace. These different ways are: baptism through desire and baptism through blood. Through baptism of desire, any person who wills and or desires to be baptized but for some reason is unable to, will be baptized and will receive all its benefits. Baptism by blood is when a person is martyred but is not baptized when he dies.
The Research paper on Special Education Case Study
Abstract The purpose of the field experience case study was to be enlightened by and involved with an individual with a severe and profound disability. Time spent in observance and interaction with the individuals case would familiarize the students with IEPs (Individual Educational Programs) or ISPs (Individual Service Plans). Also, involvement in the study should help in learning and dealing ...
There a few conditional things about Baptism that are necessary for one to receive the sacrament. These things are: a baptismal name, a sponsor, a baptismal vow made by the parents and/or sponsor of the recipient and a ceremony. However, in case of an emergency a ceremony and sponsor are not required. The reason for this is because in case of an emergency and someone requires an immediate Baptism, he or she is not required to find a sponsor to have a valid Baptism.
Baptism is absolutely necessary for ones’ salvation. Through Baptism, Christians are able to receive the sacraments and also receive graces and virtues that make living a holy every day to day life easier. Therefore, all people should be immensely grateful that God gave them such a wonderful way to share in His everlasting life of grace. By baptism Christians are given gifts from God that they do not deserve. However, God being the generous god He is, gives it to them none the less.
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Bibliography
Laux, Fr. John. Mass and the Sacraments, Rockford, Illinois. TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, INC. 1990
New American Bible. St. Joseph Edition. New Jersey: CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition. Citta del Vaticano, Rome, Italy: Libreria Edetrice Vaticana, 1997
