Necessity of Baptism

[MilesVitae]

I am sure this topic has been discussed before, but I was unable to find my any answers with a search through the boards.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the salvation of those who have heard the Gospel and had the opportunity to ask for the Sacrament.

Very well, if one knows Baptism is necessary for salvation and refuses it and then dies, he will not be saved, but what if the following two situations?

A) A person has heard the Gospel and accepted Christ, but is unaware of the need for Baptism and, therefore, does not seek it when he has the opportunity. Why would he not be saved, assuming he has charity and perfect contrition?

B) A person has refused the opportunity to receive Baptism, but later repents, desires Baptism, but dies before obtaining it. Why would he not be saved?

 

[LemonAndLime]

I am sure this topic has been discussed before, but I was unable to find my any answers with a search through the boards.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the salvation of those who have heard the Gospel and had the opportunity to ask for the Sacrament.

Very well, if one knows Baptism is necessary for salvation and refuses it and then dies, he will not be saved, but what if the following two situations?

A) A person has heard the Gospel and accepted Christ, but is unaware of the need for Baptism and, therefore, does not seek it when he has the opportunity. Why would he not be saved, assuming he has charity and perfect contrition?

B) A person has refused the opportunity to receive Baptism, but later repents, desires Baptism, but dies before obtaining it. Why would he not be saved?

Person A would be saved because he was not aware he needed baptism, yet had a desire for Christ and possibly would qualify for baptism of desire.

Person B would also have a baptism of desire. Do you think that God would say “You tried, but too bad - not good enough!” ? It’s like that other situation - dying on the way to confession. It’s the intent that matters.

 

[teachccd]

I am sure this topic has been discussed before, but I was unable to find my any answers with a search through the boards.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the salvation of those who have heard the Gospel and had the opportunity to ask for the Sacrament.

Very well, if one knows Baptism is necessary for salvation and refuses it and then dies, he will not be saved, but what if the following two situations?

A) A person has heard the Gospel and accepted Christ, but is unaware of the need for Baptism and, therefore, does not seek it when he has the opportunity. Why would he not be saved, assuming he has charity and perfect contrition?

B) A person has refused the opportunity to receive Baptism, but later repents, desires Baptism, but dies before obtaining it. Why would he not be saved?

Person A cannot be culpable for what s/he is unaware of. You cannot reject any command that you do not know exists.

Person B resembles the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He repented breaths away from death and Jesus assured him the Kingdom of Heaven…

 

[ConstantineTG]

How can one person claim to have heard the Gospel and was not aware of Baptism?

As for situation B, that would fall under Baptism of Desire if the person eventually accepted Christ and all His teachings but through no fault of his own (accidental death) was not able to receive baptism even though he, at that time, intended to receive it.

 

[MilesVitae]

How can one person claim to have heard the Gospel and was not aware of Baptism?

I have met Protestants who deny the need for Baptism - I did not mean that the person in the situation was unaware that such a thing existed.

As for situation B, that would fall under Baptism of Desire if the person eventually accepted Christ and all His teachings but through no fault of his own (accidental death) was not able to receive baptism even though he, at that time, intended to receive it.

The difficulty is that the person has failed to receive Baptism through his own fault, when he first rejected the opportunity to receive it.

 

[DrPiano]

The difficulty is that the person has failed to receive Baptism through his own fault, when he first rejected the opportunity to receive it.

But at the time of his death, the moment in which he becomes finally and eternally culpable for his sins, he desired baptism. Hence baptism of desire.

 

[thistle]

I have met Protestants who deny the need for Baptism - I did not mean that the person in the situation was unaware that such a thing existed.

The difficulty is that the person has failed to receive Baptism through his own fault, when he first rejected the opportunity to receive it.

If they are aware of baptism but reject it then it means they have not fully accepted Christ because he told his Apostles to go out and baptise everyone in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Do they think Jesus was just making small talk??

 

[MilesVitae]

Theologians distinguish a twofold necessity, which they call a necessity of means (medii) and a necessity of precept (præcepti). The first (medii) indicates a thing to be so necessary that, if lacking (though inculpably), salvation can not be attained. The second (præcepti) is had when a thing is indeed so necessary that it may not be omitted voluntarily without sin; yet, ignorance of the precept or inability to fulfill it, excuses one from its observance.

Baptism is held to be necessary both necessitate medii and præcepti…

This is the sense in which it has always been understood by the Church, and the Council of Trent (Sess, IV, cap, vi) teaches that justification can not be obtained, since the promulgation of the Gospel, without the washing of regeneration or the desire thereof (in voto). In the seventh session, it declares (can. v) anathema upon anyone who says that baptism is not necessary for salvation. We have rendered votum by “desire” for want of a better word. The council does not mean by votum a simple desire of receiving baptism or even a resolution to do so. It means by votum an act of perfect charity or contrition, including, at least implicitly, the will to do all things necessary for salvation and thus especially to receive baptism.

(from newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#IX)

“Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.”
CCC 1257

I am just trying to figure out what all of this means and how it all squares together.