Baptismal Regeneration and Faith That Doesn't Follow

[Christ_Bearer]

I am currently a protestant. I have posted several threads already about certain Catholic doctrines and practices that I have never understood fully; trying to clear up some misconceptions. My next inquiry is about the doctrine of baptism. The Catholic church teaches that baptism regenerates or actually imparts grace, while the protestant church teaches that it is only a means of grace. I am puzzled by the doctrine of baptismal regeneration because I know many Catholics who I am sure were baptized as infants, but now live in gross immorality and have no regard whatsoever for Christ and his Church. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic church where it says that faith must follow, godparents, etc… But if faith *doesn’t *follow how did the baptism actually regenerate the person? Doesn’t regeneration imply that one has been empowered now to live a holy life? What am I missing here?

 

[Oneofthewomen]

I am currently a protestant. I have posted several threads already about certain Catholic doctrines and practices that I have never understood fully; trying to clear up some misconceptions. My next inquiry is about the doctrine of baptism. The Catholic church teaches that baptism regenerates or actually imparts grace, while the protestant church teaches that it is only a means of grace. I am puzzled by the doctrine of baptismal regeneration because I know many Catholics who I am sure were baptized as infants, but now live in gross immorality and have no regard whatsoever for Christ and his Church. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic church where it says that faith must follow, godparents, etc… But if faith *doesn’t *follow how did the baptism actually regenerate the person? Doesn’t regeneration imply that one has been empowered now to live a holy life? What am I missing here?

2 words- FREE WILL!

Baptism imparts the grace, but I have to choose to continue to follow it.

 

[1ke]

What am I missing here?

Free will.

 

[Anna_Claire]

The word “regenerate” is not a familiar word to Catholics when referencing Baptism. I think if you are confused you should not think in a “born again” way.

Baptism lasts a lifetime. Sin happens to us all but sin never takes away Baptism.
Through Reconciliation (confession) we are forgiven. Eucharist renews our Baptism.

 

[JRKH]

I am currently a protestant. I have posted several threads already about certain Catholic doctrines and practices that I have never understood fully; trying to clear up some misconceptions. My next inquiry is about the doctrine of baptism. The Catholic church teaches that baptism regenerates or actually imparts grace, while the protestant church teaches that it is only a means of grace. I am puzzled by the doctrine of baptismal regeneration because I know many Catholics who I am sure were baptized as infants, but now live in gross immorality and have no regard whatsoever for Christ and his Church. I have read the Catechism of the Catholic church where it says that faith must follow, godparents, etc… But if faith *doesn’t *follow how did the baptism actually regenerate the person? Doesn’t regeneration imply that one has been empowered now to live a holy life? What am I missing here?

You aren’t missing anything here. Through Baptism we ARE “Empowered” to live a holy life. However like the rocky and thorny ground in the parable of the sower, some will inevitably fall away.
I’m sure that the same is true in protestant communities that only baptize those old enough to ask for it. They are get baptized, but then later, fall away…

Peace
James

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

We have to co-operate with grace. It’s not some magical thing that magical converts us into saints (though, St. Augustine may be an exception to the rule).

 

[Evan]

As with all the sacraments: the grace received depends upon the disposition of the recipient. The grace is made available, but, through the use of the will, the grace can be rejected and thus have no effect.

The grace of baptism, confirmation, marriage, and holy orders are available throughout life. Whereas the grace of reconciliation, eucharist, and anointing are received during the sacrament. For this reason they can be repeated as needed.