by Brandon Jubar

I was almost done -- my profession of faith nearing the end. The Christian Rock guitar player to whom I was speaking seemed slightly amused. He had asked me what I believed, and I responded with the Nicene Creed. He had let me speak, with few interruptions, up until the end. But this next line caused him to squirm...

"We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins... "

"But have you been saved?" he interjected. "Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?"

We Acknowledge One Baptism

The Catholic Church believes that Baptism is a sacrament. It is through this sacrament that the Holy Spirit enters us, making us one with Jesus. Baptism is the means by which we first receive grace.

Most fundamentalist denominations believe baptism is only a symbol. They do not believe that one receives grace from the Spirit by being baptized, but rather by consciously accepting Jesus as one's Savior. In the fundamentalist tradition, people are not baptized until after they have been "saved".

For the Forgiveness of Sins

All of our sins are forgiven through Baptism. The sacrament cleanses us from original sin, which we are born into, and from our own, personal sins. It is not a permanent forgiving, however. As adults, we must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to reaffirm the forgiveness of our sins.

Most fundamentalists believe that one's sins are forgiven at the moment of conversion. They also believe that this forgiveness is only needed once. After one has accepted Jesus as one's personal Lord and Savior, one's place in heaven is secure -- baptism or not.

Baptism of Infants

Fundamentalists say that baptizing infants is simply a waste of time. They believe that one must be baptized in the Spirit, which can only happen when one is "saved". And one can only be "saved" if one accepts Christ -- which requires "reason". Infants are nowhere near the age of reason.

The Catholic Church practices the Baptism of infants. Though infants have not committed any personal sins, we are all born into original sin. When an infant is baptized, they are touched by the Holy Spirit for the first time, and are cleansed of original sin.

Fundamentalists often point out that the New Testament does not portray children being baptized. This makes sense, of course, because their were no cradle-Christians, born into the faith. During the time of the Apostles, Christianity was just beginning and all Christians were converts from other beliefs.

The Bible does reference, in several places, the baptizing of entire households. It does not specify the adults in the household as being the only ones baptized. The Catholic practice of baptizing children is a tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation, since the time of the Apostles.

Born of Water and Spirit

Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." Fundamentalists seem to overlook the first part -- being born of water -- and focus solely on being born of Spirit. But Catholics understand that both are important for our spiritual well-being.

Baptism is the beginning of our salvation. It is the first time we experience the Holy Spirit, and it is the first step in our life-long spiritual journey. A journey that includes other necessary sacraments as well -- the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. But the fact remains that it all starts with Baptism.

Life Applications:

What is your understanding of Baptism?

Have you ever been asked if you were "born again"? How did you respond?

How often do you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation? When was the last time?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
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