What Is Baptism?

What is Baptism?
Baptism is the first sacrament we receive among the seven. It is the

sacrament that is required in order to receive any of the other sacraments.
Also, like any other sacrament, it bestows grace on people.
 It removes the effect of original sin.

 Welcomes us to the Catholic World.
 We receive godparents that will guide us.
Origin of Baptism
Baptism originated from Jesus’ Baptism. When he was baptized by John
the Baptist, his cousin, at the Jordan River at the age of 30. During his
baptism, the people of Judea, John the Baptism and the Holy Trinity were
present. His baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry. This event is
described on the four gospels except the gospel of John. (Matthew, Luke and
Mark- SYNOPTIC)
Concerning the origin of baptism, Christian theologians suggest that

although Christian baptism may have been widely used by John the Baptist,
baptism itself did not originate with Christians or, for that matter, with John.
Jews practiced baptism as a traditional act of purification and the initiation of
converts to Judaism long before the coming of the Messiah. The origins of
baptism might be found in the book of Leviticus where the Levite priests were
commanded to perform a symbolic cleansing in water before and after performing
their priestly duties. Leviticus 16:4 tells us, “He is to put on the sacred linen
tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash
around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must
bathe himself with water before he puts them on.” Scripture also states in
Leviticus 16:23-24, "Then Aaron is to go into the Tent of Meeting and take
off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and
he is to leave them there. He shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and
put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt
offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement
for himself and for the people.”
Although the act described in these Old Testament passages was not
specifically called “baptism,” it does highlight how important and holy ceremonial
(and practical) cleansing is to God. John’s “baptism of repentance” (Luke 3:3;
Acts 19:4) followed this paradigm of cleansing, although the final cleansing from
sin is only available through Christ, and John’s baptism was the foreshadowing of
that. The significance of baptism as a New Testament ceremony is that, as
believers in Jesus Christ, we are baptized into His death (Romans 6:3) and
raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4 KJV). The Lord taught the
significance of baptism to the extent that He Himself was baptized by John the
Baptist at the start of His ministry (Mark 1:9).
http://www.gotquestions.org/origin-baptism.html
Why do we baptize infants?

 It is the first sacrament all Christians receive.
 First step in full membership of Christ. Other steps are confirmation and
Eucharist (Sacrament of Initiation)
 Washes the effect of original sin
Rites of Baptism
 Reception of the Child- The child is presented to the priest
by his parents and godparents. The priest greets the assembly
then the parents will tell the priest that they want their child
to be baptized and the priest reminds the parents and godparents
their responsibility in raising the child as a good Christian.
 Celebration of the Word of God- The gospel is read and the

priest explains the meaning of baptism. Followed by the praying
of prayer petition, anointing of oil of exorcism that is placed
on the forehead of the child while uttering a prayer.
 Celebration of the Sacrament- The priest asks the parents and

godparents to reject sin and make a profession of faith. The
priest utters the formula of baptism “I baptize you in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Then the
child is anointed with chrism in the forehead. Followed by the
lightning of candle wherein the child receives the light of
Christ and the priest touches the ears and mouth of the child so
he could hear and proclaim the word of God.
 Conclusion of the Rite- The final prayer is recited by the priest

followed by the Lord’s Prayer after which the priest blesses the
mother and the father of the child and the priest utters the
parting petition prayer.
Biblical Text
Baptism is a cornerstone to our Christian beliefs. John the Baptist
was ordained by God to be the predecessor of Jesus - he preached about
His coming and even baptized Jesus. Being baptized is an important
part of Christianity and although not everyone gets baptized, it's an
important part of our beliefs that you should be knowledgable about.
That's why we gathered together these Bible verses on baptism - so
that you could learn more about this important part of Christianity!
o John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with
water, the same said to me, On whom you shall see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes
with the Holy Ghost.
o John 3:5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
o John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were
baptized.
o Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
o Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day
that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a
witness with us of his resurrection.
o Baptism of Moses
Moses is considered a type of Christ. This means that Moses
represents Christ in some way. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 the
Israelites are said to have been baptized unto Moses. This is
talking about how the children of Israel were led by Moses and
judgment came by water. However, the judgment was not on those
“baptized unto Moses"; they passed through on dry ground. The
judgment by water was against the armies of Pharaoh.
o Baptism of John
This is a baptism that identified the participants with the
coming Messiah. It was a physical baptism into water that
signified a spiritual repentance in the heart of the believer
(Matthew 3:6-11).
Church Teachings
According to the church teachings, Catechism of the Catholic Church
1213, Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the
gateway to life in Spirit and the door which gives access to the other
sacraments.
Relevance/ Effect
Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God All
sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all
punishment for sin. We become members of Christ. It incorporates us to
the Church. This let us to receive the sacraments, to be nourished
with the word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps
of the Church.
Sacramental Symbol
 Water- primary symbol
- Symbolizes new life
- Cleanses the effect from the original sin.
 White Garment- This is an outward sign of Christian Dignity.

 Candle- light of Christ
 Sacred chrism oil- Chrism is made of olive oil and is scented
with a sweet perfume, usually balsam.
 Prayer- proclaim the word of God
Misconceptions about Baptism

1. Godparents must be married to each other.
2. Catholics only baptize babies.

What Is Baptism?

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What Is Baptism?

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What is Baptism?

Baptism is the first sacrament we receive among the seven. It is the

 It removes the effect of original sin.

Concerning the origin of baptism, Christian theologians suggest that

Why do we baptize infants?

 Celebration of the Word of God- The gospel is read and the

 Celebration of the Sacrament- The priest asks the parents and

 Conclusion of the Rite- The final prayer is recited by the priest

 White Garment- This is an outward sign of Christian Dignity.

Misconceptions about Baptism

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