What Is Baptism?

Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation into the Christian life. Through water and the Word, God forgives sins and grants the gift of the Holy Spirit and joins us to the Body of Christ. Through Baptism, we die to self and participate in new life with Christ in His Church.

Water Throughout Scripture

From the beginning, God has used water as an instrument of His saving work. The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters at creation, bringing life out of chaos. During the great flood, God preserved eight persons through water. In the Exodus, He delivered Israel from slavery through the waters of the Red Sea. After forty years in the wilderness, Israel crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land.

Repeatedly throughout Scripture, water becomes the means through which God brings His people from death to life, from bondage to freedom, and from exile to promise.

Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

These events find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Before beginning His public ministry, Christ was baptized in the Jordan River by John. Christ, being without sin, did not need to be baptized, but He willingly identified Himself with sinners and sanctified the waters for our salvation. Through His death and resurrection, He demonstrated the way for all people to receive new life through water and the Spirit.

Jesus taught that unless one is born of water and the Spirit (Baptism) he cannot enter the kingdom of God. After His resurrection, He commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Trinitarian formula or in the name of Jesus.

What Baptism Does

Baptism is more than a symbol or public profession of faith. Through Baptism, our sins are forgiven, and we become adopted sons and daughters of God. This is the beginning of a lifelong journey, where we learn to live more fully as disciples of Christ. As St. Paul teaches, we are united to Christ in His death and resurrection so that we may walk in newness of life.

Received Once, for Life

Because Baptism is God’s gift, it is received only once. Christians profess “one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins”, trusting that God’s promise remains faithful throughout our lives. Though we continue to grow, struggle, and repent we can always count on the permanent mark of Baptism.

Baptized at Easter

Each year at Easter, Christians renew their baptismal promises and remember God’s saving work. For this reason, adults entering the Church are ordinarily baptized at the Easter Vigil, the Church’s most sacred liturgy, where we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Next Steps

Interested in Baptism, or have questions about the process? Learn about Becoming Catholic

Not sure where to start? Here are our Mass Times

Want to talk it through with someone? Contact Us