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Sacrament
of Baptism |
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| Holy Baptism is the first sacrament. One cannot receive any other Sacrament if one is not baptized. A baptized person through his or her baptism begins the journey of faith. |
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| Baptism is a sacrament of Christian initiation that gives a person the new life of sanctifying grace. Through baptism we become children of God, members of the church and share in the promise of eternal life in heaven. |
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| The word "baptize" comes from Greek (baptizein), and means to "plunge" or "immerse." In the early church the plunge into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he or she rises up by resurrection with Christ as new creature. |
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| Effects of baptism: |
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| 1 |
| Baptism removes original sin from our souls. |
| We learn from the Bible that Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden sinned against God by their disobedience. As a consequence of their act they were driven out from the garden and they were deprived of special friendship with God, or sanctifying grace. They also begin to experience death, suffering, illness, and strong inclination to sin. |
| As descendants of Adam and Eve, all people inherited these consequences, and all people are born with the stain of original sin on their souls. Baptism removes the stain of original sin, and gives us instead sanctifying grace of God, restoring back God's friendship. |
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| 2 |
| Baptism resorts our friendship with God. |
| Baptism is the sacrament of our spiritual rebirth and renewal. In baptism we die to sin and are born to new life as "new creation." God's grace works in us and through us, and enable us to grow and to journey towards God. |
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| 3 |
| Baptism gives us membership in God's Church. |
| Through baptism we are incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body. We also becomes member of Church here on Earth. Since the time of baptism, all baptized people living all over the world are our brothers and sisters. We are children of God and belong to God's family. |
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| 4 |
| Baptism gives us actual grace to live Christian lives. |
| Baptism is just the beginning of our journey of faith. We are invited to receive other sacraments, we are obliged to learn about our faith, we are expected to give witness to what we believe, and every day we have to try to be better people. We should also help others on their journeys. However, we have to remember, that since the time of baptism God is present in our lives in a special way, and is helping us all the way. |
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| The Trinitarian Formula and water is used during the rite of baptism. The minister of baptism, who can be a priest, deacon or a layperson, invokes all three persons of the Holy Spirit while pouring water on the baptized. In the Catholic Church we use the following formula: "N I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Baptism can be performed by pouring water over the recipient or by submersion of the baptized in the water. |
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| The main two symbols used during baptismal liturgy are water and light. Water symbolizes the source of life and washing of sins. Light is the Christ himself whom the baptized receives. In turn, he or she is enlightened and becomes "light" him or herself. Now the new baptized has to carry the light of faith into the world. |
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| Baptism
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| ©2002 Society of
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