Is this true?!

[JoyT86]

“If you have never been baptized, then in the Catholic view you are not a Christian.”
This stuck out at me, in the “Ask an Apologist” forum yesterday.

I have ALWAYS been taught that baptism was an outward sign of an inward change, and that water baptism doesn’t “save” you, but that your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what makes you a Christian. Do Catholics truly believe that if someone reads the Holy Bible daily, lives a prayerful life, and worships Jesus-- that they are not truly Christian until after being baptized?

I was raised in a Christian household, and was taught this way my entire life. I’m really confused now, because all these years I have called myself a Christian, and now I’m not so sure. No, I have never been baptized with water, but I was “saved”.

What are your views on this? It’s all very confusing to me. I have the strong desire to be baptized in the Catholic Church after RCIA (but that isn’t until next Easter!) I still consider myself Christian, because I love Jesus… but technically… I’m not truly a Christian?

 

[dshix]

“If you have never been baptized, then in the Catholic view you are not a Christian.”
This stuck out at me, in the “Ask an Apologist” forum yesterday.

I have ALWAYS been taught that baptism was an outward sign of an inward change, and that water baptism doesn’t “save” you, but that your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what makes you a Christian. Do Catholics truly believe that if someone reads the Holy Bible daily, lives a prayerful life, and worships Jesus-- that they are not truly Christian until after being baptized?

I was raised in a Christian household, and was taught this way my entire life. I’m really confused now, because all these years I have called myself a Christian, and now I’m not so sure. No, I have never been baptized with water, but I was “saved”.

What are your views on this? It’s all very confusing to me. I have the strong desire to be baptized in the Catholic Church after RCIA (but that isn’t until next Easter!) I still consider myself Christian, because I love Jesus… but technically… I’m not truly a Christian?

Baptism is the sacramental birth into the Church. Therefore, yes, a person is not literally a Christian until they are born into the life of Christ.

That does not mean a person cannot love God, and cannot try to follow His teaching, but that person is not Christian until they do that actual outward sign of being born into life.

This is one of the things that is very beautiful and reassuring about the sacraments, that is, the fact that we can KNOW that a certain thing occurred spiritually based on a PHYSICAL action. When I go to confession, and confess with good conscience and receive a validly said absolution, I KNOW, for a fact, that I just had my sins forgiven. How much more reassuring than begging God for mercy and wondering if He has accepted my plea!

Baptism is the outward sign of an infusion of grace into the soul, a permanent character being placed on that soul, and the rebirth of that soul into Christianity. The protestant idea of being “born again” carries no weight unless Baptism is validly administered.

 

[anruari]

CHrist said it quite clearly:
From John 3:

“No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and of Spirit”

any bible scholar can tell you he is clearly speaking of Baptism, and the gospel writer expected this to be understood.

(Mark 16:16)

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

(Luke 7:30) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

“If you have never been baptized, then in the Catholic view you are not a Christian.”
This stuck out at me, in the “Ask an Apologist” forum yesterday.

I have ALWAYS been taught that baptism was an outward sign of an inward change, and that water baptism doesn’t “save” you, but that your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what makes you a Christian. Do Catholics truly believe that if someone reads the Holy Bible daily, lives a prayerful life, and worships Jesus-- that they are not truly Christian until after being baptized?

I was raised in a Christian household, and was taught this way my entire life. I’m really confused now, because all these years I have called myself a Christian, and now I’m not so sure. No, I have never been baptized with water, but I was “saved”.

What are your views on this? It’s all very confusing to me. I have the strong desire to be baptized in the Catholic Church after RCIA (but that isn’t until next Easter!) I still consider myself Christian, because I love Jesus… but technically… I’m not truly a Christian?

Don’t worry, you are Christian, but by desire and not formally by Baptism. You are not responsible for the erronous teachings of your current faith. But the Church recognizes all those who desire to be Christians as Christian, whether they have been baptized or not. But now that you are receiving proper instruction, you must be baptized with water as Christ and the Apostles taught. At the moment you are " Christian by desire. " After Baptism you will be a formal Christian, that is, a Christian by Baptism. Linus2nd

 

[Genesis315]

What Linusthe2nd said. I’ll just add some more on this doctrine in general.

The Bible says Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the outward sign of an inward change, but it is the pouring of water and the words spoken by the baptizer that actually effect the inward change.

Baptism and faith go hand in hand. Baptism is necessary to be a Christians since Baptism actually incorporates us into Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Here’s more on this from the Catechism:

The sacramental bond of the unity of Christians
1271 Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church."81 "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."82

An indelible spiritual mark . . .

1272 Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation.83 Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

1273 Incorporated into the Church by Baptism, the faithful have received the sacramental character that consecrates them for Christian religious worship.84 The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity.85
[1274](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1274.htm’) The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord (“Dominicus character”) "for the day of redemption."86 "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life."87 The faithful Christian who has “kept the seal” until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith,"88 with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.