History of Salvation
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Events Prefiguring Baptism (1217-1222)
The Easter Vigil liturgy commemorates the saving events which prefigured Baptism:
- In the beginning, the Spirit breathed on the water "making them a wellspring of all holiness."
- Noah's ark prefigured salvation through Baptism. The flood waters are "a sign of the waters of Baptism."
- The Red Sea symbolized death. Baptism signifies communion with Christ's death.
- The Israelites crossing the Red Sea prefigured liberation. This freeing action is "an image of the people set free in Baptism."
- The Israelites' crossing the Jordan and receiving the Promised Land also prefigured Baptism.
Fulfilled in Jesus (1223)
These prefigurations are fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus was baptized by John and, after his Resurrection, he commanded the apostles to "make disciples of all nations" and to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19-20).
John's Baptism (1224)
Jesus submitted to John's Baptism to "fulfill all righteousness" (Mt 3:15). At this moment, the Spirit (present over the waters at the first creation) came upon Christ (the new creation), and the Father revealed that he was his "beloved Son" (Mt 3:16-17).
The Cross (1225)
Jesus spoke of his Passion as a "Baptism" which he had to receive (Mk 10:38). The water and blood flowing from his side symbolized Baptism and Eucharist. After Jesus' death, men could "be born of water and the Spirit" (Jn 3:5). "See where Baptism comes from... from the cross of Christ, from his death" (St. Ambrose).
Baptizing after Pentecost (1226)
On Pentecost day, Peter told the crowd "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). After Pentecost, the apostles provided Baptism for anyone who believed in Jesus (Jews, God-fearers, and pagans). Paul told the jailer in Philippi that he and his household would be saved if he believed in the Lord Jesus. At once the jailer "with all his family" was baptized (16:31-33).
Entering Christ's Death (1227-1228)
Paul teaches that the believer, through Baptism, enters into Christ's death, burial and Resurrection, "so that as Christ was raised from the dead... we too might walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:3-4).
In Baptism, the imperishable seed of God's Word produces life-giving effects. "The Word is brought to the material element and it becomes a sacrament" (St. Augustine).
HOW CELEBRATED?
Six Essential Elements of Conversion (1229)
Although becoming a Christian is a journey (rapid or slow) with several stages, there are always six essential elements:
- The Word is proclaimed
- The Gospel (together with the needed conversion) is accepted
- The faith is professed
- The person is baptized
- The Spirit is given
- The believer is admitted to Eucharistic communion
The Rite Has Varied (1230-1231)
Over the centuries, this initiation rite has varied greatly. Originally, a lengthy catechumenate (including liturgical rites) culminated in the three sacraments of initiation.
When infant Baptism became common, the preparatory rites were very much abridged. Therefore, infant Baptism demands post-baptismal teaching and formation.
Restored Catechumenate (1232-1233)
The Second Vatican Council restored the catechumenate for adults with several stages (found in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). In mission countries, initiation rites already in use were allowed, if adopted to the ritual.
Today, adults enter a catechumenate and then receive the three initiation sacraments at once. In the East, infants also receive Confirmation and Eucharist with their Baptism. In the Roman rite, infants receive Confirmation and Eucharist many years later.
Ten Parts of the Rite (1234-1245)
The rite of Baptism shows clearly the sacrament's meaning and graces:
- The sign of the cross (the imprint of Christ) signifies the redemption won for us by Christ.
- The Word of God enlightens the person and calls forth a response of faith.
- The exorcism shows freedom from sin and from the devil's power. This is completed by the laying on of hands and the anointing with the oil of catechumens. The person can then profess the faith of the Church.
- The consecration of the baptismal water asks that the Father send the Spirit upon the water (epiclesis), so the person will be "born of water and the Spirit."
- The Baptism itself is the essential rite and brings about death to sin and entry into new life. This is conferred by a triple immersion into the water or by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.
- The words used (in the Latin Church) are "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The last uses similar words "The Servant of God is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
- The anointing with sacred chrism signifies that the newly baptized has received the Holy Spirit and is anointed priest, prophet, and king. In the East, this anointing is Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy, this anointing announces that Confirmation will be received years later.
- The white garment symbolizes the person's sharing in Christ's new life.
- The candle symbolizes the inner enlightenment by Christ, "the light of the world." The newly baptized (now a child of God) can say "Our Father."
- First Holy Communion. The neophyte can now be admitted to "the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9). The Latin Church (reserving Eucharist to those who have attained the age of reason) express this Eucharistic orientation by having the baptized child brought to the altar for the "Our Father."
- Three final blessings (of which the blessing of the mother has a special place) complete the rite.
WHO CAN RECEIVE?
Not Yet Baptized? (1246)
"Every person not yet baptized" and only such a person is "able to be baptized" (In the West, Canon 864; in the East, Canon 679).
The Catechumenate (1247-1249)
Where the Gospel is newly preached, the catechumenate has an important role in disposing the adult for the full initiation gift.
The catechumenate must bring the person to conversion and to mature faith. The person is led (by successive rites) into the Church's faith, liturgy and charity.
Because the catechumens (even before Baptism) are joined to the Church and are leading a life of faith, "the Church embraces them as her own" (Second Vatican Council).
Infant Baptism (1250-1252)
Children need the new birth of Baptism to be freed from darkness and brought into God's family. Because infant Baptism shows God's total gratuitousness, the Church (and parents) would deny the children a priceless gift if they were not baptized shortly after birth. Infant Baptism has certainly been practiced since the second century and quite possibly from the very beginning of the Church since Scripture speaks of "households" being baptized (See Acts 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16).
Need for Beginning Faith (1253-1255)
To be baptized, the person needs only a "beginning faith" (not a perfect and mature faith). This beginning faith requires a community of believers within which the believer's faith can develop. Because this baptismal faith must grow, every year at Easter time the Church celebrates the renewal of baptismal promises.
Especially important is the role of the parents. Also, godparents must be firm believers and ready to help the person's faith. Actually, the whole Church bears responsibility for developing the grace of Baptism.
Who Can Baptize? (1256)
The ordinary ministers are the bishop, the priest, and in the Latin Church, the deacon. If necessity, anyone (even someone not baptized) can baptize. They must have the intention to will what the Church does when she baptizes and use the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The Church sees this possibility for others to baptize because Baptism is necessary for salvation.
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