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maryj
Guest
How would you explain, to a lapsed catholic, the reasons why a child needs to be baptised?
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japhy
Guest
For remission of sin (both original and personal) and for initiation into the Body of Christ.How would you explain, to a lapsed catholic, the reasons why a child needs to be baptised?
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rpp
Guest
Baptism is not symbolic for anything. As Japhy quite correctly said, it is absolutely required for the remission of sin. That includes Original Sin, which all are born with, as well as any actual sins a person may have committed prior to baptism. And, it also brings the person into the Catholic Church, even if they are baptized by a non-Catholic.
If a person were to baptized then died without ever committing an actual sin, they would die in a state of grace and go to Heaven. However, it would be very dangerous to delay baptism as no one is certain when or how they will die.
It is the remission of Original Sin that makes infant baptism efficacious. In the same way the infant circumcision identified a male baby as a Jew by making an indelible mark, infant baptism does the same.
Baptism places an indelible mark on the soul. That is why a person only needs to be baptized once in their entire life.
If a person were to baptized then died without ever committing an actual sin, they would die in a state of grace and go to Heaven. However, it would be very dangerous to delay baptism as no one is certain when or how they will die.
It is the remission of Original Sin that makes infant baptism efficacious. In the same way the infant circumcision identified a male baby as a Jew by making an indelible mark, infant baptism does the same.
Baptism places an indelible mark on the soul. That is why a person only needs to be baptized once in their entire life.
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maryj
Guest
Good start, now what if the child that needs to be baptised is 14 years old. Would you approach it any differently? Thank you for your replys.
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rpp
Guest
A person who is old enough to understand should attend some classes and learn about the Catholic faith. That is what religious education and CCD is all about. Then this chiuld will be able to choose whether to become Catholic and therefore receive the sacraments of initiation; Baptism first, then Confirmation. Often, for someone that age, they are done at the same time, often at the Easter Vigil Mass.Good start, now what if the child that needs to be baptised is 14 years old. Would you approach it any differently? Thank you for your replys.
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japhy
Guest
I believe someone of that age, if they need baptism, is required to go through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, although it’d be a particular “flavor” of RCIA directed at people who are above the age of standard catechesis but younger than “adults”.Good start, now what if the child that needs to be baptised is 14 years old. Would you approach it any differently? Thank you for your replys.
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maryj
Guest
I spoke with Father about this and he also stated that “normally” someone of that age would attend a form of RCIA, but since we don’t have that type of RCIA He would be wiling to baptise after speaking with the child and the parents. My question I guess is still How would you approach this with a lapsed catholic to point out the need for baptism. I know I’m kinda being vague but it is a long story.I believe someone of that age, if they need baptism, is required to go through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, although it’d be a particular “flavor” of RCIA directed at people who are above the age of standard catechesis but younger than “adults”.
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japhy
Guest
An adult is in need of baptism for the exact same reasons as a child or infant: forgiveness of sin and initiation into the Church that Jesus Christ founded. An adult moreso, since they have certainly committed sins (while an infant or a child below the age of reason has not).I spoke with Father about this and he also stated that “normally” someone of that age would attend a form of RCIA, but since we don’t have that type of RCIA He would be wiling to baptise after speaking with the child and the parents. My question I guess is still How would you approach this with a lapsed catholic to point out the need for baptism. I know I’m kinda being vague but it is a long story.
Baptism connects us to the Trinity through the Church: we become an adopted son (or daughter) of the Father, we are saved through the death and resurrection of the Son, and we are born again in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 2:38-39.
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maryj
Guest
Excellent, thank you.An adult is in need of baptism for the exact same reasons as a child or infant: forgiveness of sin and initiation into the Church that Jesus Christ founded. An adult moreso, since they have certainly committed sins (while an infant or a child below the age of reason has not).
Baptism connects us to the Trinity through the Church: we become an adopted son (or daughter) of the Father, we are saved through the death and resurrection of the Son, and we are born again in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 2:38-39.
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