Is baptism symbolic or a sacrament?

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Baptism is symbolic, however not purely symbolic, as its by the very act of baptising that a person is freed from original sin and made a child of God.
 
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santaro75:
Well I guess I have been told that Baptism is symbolic and not necessary for salvation. but i can’t find in the bible where it says that Baptism is a symbol.
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You’re not going to find the word “sacrament” in the bible, either… so that’s not going to be helpful

The “either/or- ness” of a lot of these polls isn’t that helpful, because a lot of things about the faith - the sacraments most notably - are “either/or” things.

And, as I often have to remind folks here… you can’t pigeonhole ALL Protestants or paint them with one wide brush. My own tradition is very sacramental.

Baptism is a sacrament. It is also a symbol because it points to that beyond itself; in the case of water, it points beyond being “just water” and becomes the outward and visible sign and symbol of the washing away of sin, the initiation into the faith, and the promises of God through Christ.

There’s no such thing as something being “just” as symbol. A stop sign is a symbol of traffic law; the next time you are stopped for running one, try telling the officer that “that sign is just symbolic of the law; it’s not the law itself.”

I’ll bet you still get the ticket.

O+
 
Many Protestants like Baptists are forced to deny the truth about Baptism and they say it is symbolic only. To admit the truth would be Catholic, something they find distastefull and vile.

Also study history outside of Scripture. Who first wrote that Baptism was symbolic only and when was that?
JMJ
 
All sacraments including Baptism are meetings with Christ in the persona of the priest or deacon. Baptism is the sacrament of initiation whereby orginal sin and personal sin is forgiven. It is necessary for us to be freed of sin in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven. It is not symbolic in any way shape or form. Water is used as a symbol of cleansing but the sacrament is not a symbol any more than the Eucharist is a symbol. It is the real presence of Christ in our midst. Thank God for these wonderful gifts.
 
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Malachi4U:
Many Protestants like Baptists are forced to deny the truth about Baptism and they say it is symbolic only. To admit the truth would be Catholic, something they find distastefull and vile.

Also study history outside of Scripture. Who first wrote that Baptism was symbolic only and when was that?
JMJ
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Since i am too lazy, can you tell me so that i can look it up?😉
 
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stbruno:
All sacraments including Baptism are meetings with Christ in the persona of the priest or deacon. Baptism is the sacrament of initiation whereby orginal sin and personal sin is forgiven. It is necessary for us to be freed of sin in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven. It is not symbolic in any way shape or form. Water is used as a symbol of cleansing but the sacrament is not a symbol any more than the Eucharist is a symbol. It is the real presence of Christ in our midst. Thank God for these wonderful gifts.
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I believe this view is partly incorrect; in an emergency, anyone can baptize. Also, in Catholicism, it is the couple, not the priest, who are the celebrants of the sacrament.

The sacrament is real - and is the Real Presence of Christ. It is ALSO a symbol, because it becomes an outward and visible sign that signifies our union with Christ, and points toward the reality of Christ.

It’s both/and, St. Bruno - not either/or.
 
The usual ministers of the Sacrament of baptism are a priest or a deacon. You are correct in an emergency and only in an emergency where death may be eminent may anyone baptize using water and the Trinitarian formula.

Only in the sacrament of Marriage is a couple considered the ministers of a sacrament but a priest or a deacon must be the official witness of the Sacrament in the persona of Christ for it to be a sacramental marriage in the Church.
 
Brothers and Sister in Christ,

Well, is baptism symbolic or a sacrament? I guess, first of all, the question is flawed, “is baptism symbolic” sounds like an incomplete thought. Is baptism symbolic of…? or is baptism a sacrament? That sounds better.

First, the word sacrament comes from two Latin words(forgive my spelling): sacra means “holy”. It’s where we get the word sacred and menti or mentali means “thing”. So…put the two together and we get holy-thing.

In the early church everything was a sacrament or a “holy-thing”.(ie. sign-of-the-cross, bowing, kneeling, holy water, rosary, church, bible, wooden cross, etc.) The church fathers(elders) headed by the Pope(successor of St. Peter) decided that of all these holy-things only seven were really, really Holy. That is, being able to bring us Grace through the Holy Spirit. These are (S)acraments(Capital letter) and everything else became sacraments(Lower case) or sacramentals.

So, baptism is a (S)acrament and symbolic with an initiation into the family of God. Where we are anoited with oil and “holy water” and “the Spirit”. Ofcourse, many things within the ritual are symbols(ie. the white garment: purity, candle: light of God, baptism font: womb shaped(early church). I believe this all comes from the bible(O.T & N.T.)
…not just in all one place.

Peace to you all, may the Lord of Lords watch and protect you always.
Scott
 
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