Baptism and Ephesians

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

in ephesians 2:9 it says we are not initially saved by works. however would baptism fall under this or would baptism be a grace.

 

[chessnerd321]

Baptism is NOT a work. Which is very ironic. Some Protestant dominations condemn infant baptism saying that the person must personally accept Jesus to be baptized.

But notice it’s precisely those who say we must do something to earn God’s baptismal graces (believe) who also claim to believe in “faith alone”!

 

[Vico]

in ephesians 2:9 it says we are not initially saved by works. however would baptism fall under this or would baptism be a grace.

Who does the work?

Catechism

1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification …

 

[Cathoholic]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa . . . .

in ephesians 2:9 it says we are not initially saved by works. however would baptism fall under this or would baptism be a grace.

It is NOT a “work” of man in the sense of Ephesians 2:9.

“Works” in Ephesians 2:9 that are non-salvific are
“works” done (attempted) under your own power to save. We cannot do this.

The “work” here, as Vico mentioned, that IS salvific in Baptism, is of the Holy Spirit (applying Christ’s work on Calvary) to the Baptismal recipient.

“Cooperation” with the GRACE that drew us to Baptism in the first place? Yes.

COUNCIL OF TRENT Of this Justification the causes are these:
the final cause indeed is the glory of God and of Jesus Christ, and life everlasting; while
the efficient cause is a merciful God who washes and sanctifies gratuitously, signing, and
anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance; but
the meritorious cause is His most beloved only-begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when we were enemies, for the exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, merited Justification for us by His most holy Passion on the wood of the cross, and made satisfaction for us unto God the Father;
the instrumental cause is the sacrament of baptism, which is the sacrament of faith, without which (faith) no man was ever justified; lastly,
the alone formal cause is the justice of God,
not that whereby He Himself is just,
but that whereby He maketh us just, that, to wit, with which we being endowed by Him, are renewed in the spirit of our mind, and we are not only reputed, but are truly called, and are, just, receiving justice within us,
each one according to his own measure,
which the Holy Ghost distributes to every one as He wills, and according to each one’s proper disposition and co-operation.

(Emphasis and minor formatting mine)

http://www.thecounciloftrent.com/ch6.htm