How powerful is baptism?

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Does baptism forgive and absolve all sins committed prior to it?
Since Constantine was baptised on his deathbed, was he practically guaranteed salvation?
 
First question yes.
On Constantine he is a saint so he was saved.
On the other hand say he wasn’t a saint or say it was anther person, well we can’t judge as humans if someone has salvation because we can’t judge a man’s heart. Only God can. Only the man and God really know if they really meant it.
Hope that helps
 
TomS333 said:
Does baptism forgive and absolve all sins committed prior to it?
Since Constantine was baptised on his deathbed, was he practically guaranteed salvation?
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A person who dies immediately after baptism would go straight to Heaven.
 
anon64704623 said:
What about babies who died without baptism?
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The thread is about those who have been baptised!

However, the Church does not know what happens to infants or even the unborn who have not been baptised. That’s why the Church teaches that there are entrusted to God’s mercy.
 
anon64704623 said:
What about babies who died without baptism?
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It can’t be said that they go straight to heaven since baptism is required for salvation. But God can work outside the sacraments and there is a strong assumption theologically that they would go to heaven.
 
So, if I were mass murderer, say, but then I was baptised and immediately died, I would go straight to Heaven?
 
If insincere (as through lack of faith, etc.), a baptism will not be fruitful. In such a case the indelible character of baptism is still imparted in the soul as long as it was valid (i.e. form, matter, intention), but its other effects will not take place until the person is forgiven, normatively by a sincere in the sacrament of Penance-- although it seems that here, the person must confess all mortal sins he or she is conscious of before and after baptism, in the sacrament of Penance, upon whose completion the graces of effects of baptism are received including remittance of original sin.

See St. Thomas Aquinas’ teaching on this here, articles 9-10: http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4069.htm
[A]ccording to Augustine, a man is said to be insincere, in four ways: first, because he does not believe, whereas Baptism is the sacrament of Faith; secondly, through scorning the sacrament itself; thirdly, through observing a rite which differs from that prescribed by the Church in conferring the sacrament; fourthly, through approaching the sacrament without devotion.
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If the mass murderer is at present unbaptized, is sincerely intent on turning his or her life around, had the requisite disposition for baptism, and is baptized validly, it would seem so. A fruitful baptism removes all punishment for sin prior to baptism.
 
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TomS333 said:
So, if I were mass murderer, say, but then I was baptised and immediately died, I would go straight to Heaven?
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Assuming the desire to be baptised is sincere and the person is then baptised and immediately dies then yes he would go straight to Heaven.

To pre-empt your next question if a person has lived a holy life throughout their life but commits a mortal sin near the end of their life and does not repent then that person would go to Hell.

Remember, while we should all strive to live a life according to Christ’s teachings it is the state of our soul at death that determines if we are saved or condemned.
 
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I know that God must be right, but to me it seems a bit unfair that someone who was a Saint-on-Earth for most of their lives could still go to Hell.
Wouldn’t it be better if good deeds were weighed against unrepented sins?
 
TomS333 said:
Wouldn’t it be better if good deeds were weighed against unrepented sins?
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God respects our free will. If someone chooses to reject God, even at their last hour, he won’t force them to change.
 
The question is “How powerful is Baptism ?”

Well see what the Catechism has to say .

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.”

"This sacrament is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one “can enter the kingdom of God.”

" “This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding . . . .” Having received in Baptism the Word, “the true light that enlightens every man,” the person baptized has been “enlightened,” he becomes a “son of light,” indeed, he becomes “light” himself:."

“Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.”

So to put it mildly , I would say that Baptism is pretty powerful .
 
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