The Sacraments: Source of Our Life in Christ

Mr. Michael Borges

Cardinal Spellman High School

Theology 11

Chapter Three: The Sacrament of Baptism

Through Baptism (1) we are freed from sin and (2) reborn as children of God; (3) we become members of

Christ, are (4) incorporated into the Church, and (5) made sharers in her mission.

Understanding the Sacrament of Baptism

Baptizein (Greek)

: “to plunge or immerse”

Being buried with Christ (death) and emerging as a “new creation” (Resurrection)

Baptism Prefigured in the Old Testament

• Creation (Gen 1)

• The Great Flood (Gen 7-9)

• The Red Sea Crossing (Ex 14)

Baptism revealed in the New Testament

The ministry of John the Baptist (Mk 1:1-8)

The Baptism of Jesus (Mt 3:13-17)1. Jesus’ baptism shows us the

value of “humility”

2. Jesus’ baptism prefigures his baptism in blood at the Cross

3. Jesus’ baptism is a revelation of his true identity - the Messiah

“Born Again” (Jn 3:1-5) The Great Commission (Mt 28:16-20; Mk

16:14-16) St. Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:37-39) St. Paul’s epistles (Rom 6:3-4; Tit 3:5; Eph

5:26) St. Peter’s letter (1 Pet 3:21)

The Sacraments of Christian Initiation

Baptism brings new life in Christ

Confirmation strengthens the new life

Eucharist nourishes the new life with Christ’s Body and Blood

Baptism brings new life in Christ

Confirmation strengthens the new life

Eucharist nourishes the new life with Christ’s Body and Blood

• They “gather in” God’s people and make us members of Christ’s Body, the Church

• They give us the life of Christ and bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we can be Christ for others

The Celebration of Baptism

The essential rite of Baptism consists in (a) immersing the candidate in water (Immersion) or (b) pouring water on the head of the candidate three times (Affusion) and (c) pronouncing the words, “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The ordinary minister of Baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon.

Extraordinary minister = ANYONE

Symbols of Baptism

Symbol

Water

Oil

White garmentCandle

Symbol

Water

Oil

White garmentCandle

Meaning

cleansing, death to an old life of sin and rebirth into new life with Christ

anointing with Christ (the “anointed one”), we belong to him, we receive the Holy Spirit who protects, guides, strengthens

purity, happiness, and a new identity of living in union with the Lord

Christ is the light of the world and his followers should be Christ’s light to others

Meaning

cleansing, death to an old life of sin and rebirth into new life with Christ

anointing with Christ (the “anointed one”), we belong to him, we receive the Holy Spirit who protects, guides, strengthens

purity, happiness, and a new identity of living in union with the Lord

Christ is the light of the world and his followers should be Christ’s light to others

Effects of Baptism

Baptism forgives both Original Sin and personal sin and remits all punishment due to sin

Baptism gives us birth into a new life in Christ

Baptism initiates and incorporates us into Christ’s Body, the Church

Baptism seals Christians with an indelible spiritual character that marks us as belonging to Christ

The Necessity of Baptism

• Baptism is necessary for Salvation (John 3:5)

• God has bound Salvation to the Sacrament of Baptism . . . He himself is not bound by his sacraments

• Baptism of Blood• Baptism of Desire• Infants who die are

entrusted to the mercy of God