Hmm… well, I’ve been baptized and have never really felt freed from my carnal state. But perhaps, with the acknowledgement and cooperation of the HS, it is possible to overcome that nature, whereas with the absence of the HS it would not be (?)
Thanks~
I think this is a good issue where it is best not to rely on one’s feelings, but in the Word of God. Granted, we will never be “really freed” until we get our heavenly body, but God declares that we are free by reason of baptism, and we are called to live in that freedom. Though we are no longer “compelled” (enslaved) by sin, we will struggle with the carnal part of ourselves throughout life. The best rendering of this is in Rom. 7, but look carefully at the last verse of chap. 7 then the first verse of ch 8.
Yes, I’m not sure I see that as pointing to o.s. - it isn’t so clear…
Ok. what type of sin is the psalmist referring to, when he says “in sin did my mother conceive me”?
Again though, that is not so clear to me that it is pointing to o.s… But I see the possibility.
What was the source of the “utter sin” into which the blind man was born?
right I guess the problem I see with the correlation to circumcision is that the new covenant seems to focus on repentance and faith - real conversion - circumcision of the heart.
I would contend that this is what God wanted in the OT too, but could not obtain. I agree, but as long as we are slaves to sin, we are not able to focus on real conversion.
Rom 6:13-14
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
I suppose that is where confession comes in though (in the Catholic p.o.v.). It seems to me more biblical that repentance, faith and conversion would correlate with baptism - all of which are not possible for children.
I agree, the NT is a weak source for infant baptism. We can see some inklings, but for the most part, it is about adults. I don’t really think it became an issue until the first generation of Christians had children, which we don’t see in the NT.
It seems like a person-to-God event, not something that can be given to someone from someone else. Although, otoh, I do see that a child can be faithfully raised and never undergo that type of conversion at all, so I guess, in that sense, the parents did give something to the child.
Have you been to a baptism recently? It might be instructive to stand close by, and listen to the promises made by the parents and Godparents.
Really? First communion as an infant
Really! Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is based on the Teaching that “unless you eat…you will have no life in you”. In the Eastern Rites, leavened bread is used, and it is intinctured (placed in the cup) then distributed by the priest or the deacon into the mouth with a spoon. The faithful do not handle the elements.
The diocese here does now require canditates to request confirmation, formally, in writing. I’m not sure if I had to do that back when I made mine, and I’m not sure it really solves the problem anyway: “Here Johnny. Write a letter to the bishop asking for Confirmation.”
It is a good exercise, but one has to wonder about sincerity. I have read these letters before they are sent, and they all seem authentic. But then, knowing the candidates, it seems that they are not.
That is very possible. Maybe it played a part in my own conversion. I do recall a longing to go back to mass after Confirmation but no one would accompany me and it just wasn’t “cool” for a teen to go alone
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I think this is not uncommon at all!
We’ve got 2yo, 6,9 and 11 and one on the way 