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aball1035
Guest
In the “I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins” part, what does the “one baptism” refer to?
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Byzantine_Wolf
Guest
I believe there were some early heresies that believed in rebaptizing people when they sinned, or if they continued to sin - ie. if a person sinned, their previous baptism became invalid. A later version of this would be the Anabaptists, who lived during the Reformation and believed only adults should be baptized and they should be baptized with the full intent of never ever sinning again.
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Luke65
Guest
Its also quoting Scripture:
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
This might also mean that “John’s Baptism” is no longer valid (it never “saved”), only Baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is valid.
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
This might also mean that “John’s Baptism” is no longer valid (it never “saved”), only Baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is valid.
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japhy
Guest
One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
The Apostles’ Creed professes faith in the forgiveness of sins, that sins can be and are forgiven. The Nicene Creed says that there is one baptism for this forgiveness. There are two important elements in this clause: there is only one baptism and it bestows forgiveness.
**One Baptism. **Christ at his Ascension charged the Church with the mission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20) Disciples of Christ are made through Baptism and catechesis in the faith. The Church knows, as St. Paul taught, that there is only one Baptism. (cf. Eph. 4:5) So long as a man is baptized with the Trinitarian formula in water, he is validly baptized into Christ’s Church (although perhaps not in full communion with it); this is why a man brought up in, for example, a Baptist or Presbyterian community does not need to be re-baptized if he seeks full communion with the Catholic Church, provided he has been baptized validly. Baptism places an indelible mark on our soul that can never be removed: there is only one Baptism and we may be baptized only once.
**Forgiveness of Sins. **Among the various Protestant communities, there are many differing theologies on just what Baptism is. Some call it an “ordinance” (a command) rather than a “sacrament.” Some do not believe that infants can be validly baptized. Some do not believe it is necessary to be baptized. Some do not believe it saves a person or brings them forgiveness of their sins. What the Catholic Church teaches is that Baptism is a sacrament {an outward (visible) sign, instituted by Christ, which bestows grace} ordinarily necessary for salvation (cf. John 3:3-5) which forgives the baptized of all sin (original and personal) and removes all punishment due to that sin. (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Catechism 978, 1999) Infants can and should be baptized as soon as is practical, although they have committed no personal sin, because they are conceived with the inherited original sin of Adam. Baptism is to the new covenant what circumcision was to the old covenant: the sign by which a person enters the covenant. Baptism saves us (cf. 1 Pet. 3:20-21), although it does not guarantee our salvation in and of itself. Although Baptism does not forgive us of sins committed after we receive it, Christ gave his Church the sacrament of Confession for the purpose of reconciling those who have fallen into sin after being baptized.
The Apostles’ Creed professes faith in the forgiveness of sins, that sins can be and are forgiven. The Nicene Creed says that there is one baptism for this forgiveness. There are two important elements in this clause: there is only one baptism and it bestows forgiveness.
**One Baptism. **Christ at his Ascension charged the Church with the mission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20) Disciples of Christ are made through Baptism and catechesis in the faith. The Church knows, as St. Paul taught, that there is only one Baptism. (cf. Eph. 4:5) So long as a man is baptized with the Trinitarian formula in water, he is validly baptized into Christ’s Church (although perhaps not in full communion with it); this is why a man brought up in, for example, a Baptist or Presbyterian community does not need to be re-baptized if he seeks full communion with the Catholic Church, provided he has been baptized validly. Baptism places an indelible mark on our soul that can never be removed: there is only one Baptism and we may be baptized only once.
**Forgiveness of Sins. **Among the various Protestant communities, there are many differing theologies on just what Baptism is. Some call it an “ordinance” (a command) rather than a “sacrament.” Some do not believe that infants can be validly baptized. Some do not believe it is necessary to be baptized. Some do not believe it saves a person or brings them forgiveness of their sins. What the Catholic Church teaches is that Baptism is a sacrament {an outward (visible) sign, instituted by Christ, which bestows grace} ordinarily necessary for salvation (cf. John 3:3-5) which forgives the baptized of all sin (original and personal) and removes all punishment due to that sin. (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Catechism 978, 1999) Infants can and should be baptized as soon as is practical, although they have committed no personal sin, because they are conceived with the inherited original sin of Adam. Baptism is to the new covenant what circumcision was to the old covenant: the sign by which a person enters the covenant. Baptism saves us (cf. 1 Pet. 3:20-21), although it does not guarantee our salvation in and of itself. Although Baptism does not forgive us of sins committed after we receive it, Christ gave his Church the sacrament of Confession for the purpose of reconciling those who have fallen into sin after being baptized.
Praying the Mass: The Prayers of the People, pp.86-87
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mardukm
Guest
In addition to this great observation by brother Byzantine_Wolf, it should be pointed out that the early Church asserted that the only proper method of re-admitting a sinner to communion is through the Sacrament of Confession, not by re-applying the Sacrament of Baptism.
Blessings
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
I think the problem was especially acute in how to readmit those who had become apostate during the persecutions.
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b2memphis
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diggerdomer
Guest
It refers to one baptism.
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aball1035
Guest
yes, but is it the number of times given, or number of ways one can say it, etc.
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diggerdomer
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Ignatius33
Guest
As far as I know, Reformed Protestants profess to believe in the Nicene Creed, yet they all reject baptismal regeneration. I read this “one baptism for the forgiveness of sins” as referring to baptismal regeneration, no?
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gcnuss
Guest
No problem here.
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diggerdomer
Guest
what do you mean by baptismal regeneration?
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Ignatius33
Guest
The dictionary in the back of my NAB Bible says:
“The sacrament in which, by pouring water upon a person or immersing him in water, and using the words ‘I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,’ the one baptized is cleansed of original sin and (in the case of one who has reached the age of reason) of particular sin; he is incorporated into Christ and made a member of His Body the Church; he is infused with sanctifying grace and receives the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and this enables him to receive the other sacraments effectively.”
In other words, all of this is accomplished through the Sacrament of (water) Baptism (or baptism by blood or desire, of course).
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diggerdomer
Guest
Thanks. None of the Reformed Protestants I know of would have a problem with that.
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Ignatius33
Guest
Wow, I didn’t know that. I guess it follows that they also believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, like we believe – “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn. 3:5). Doesn’t that sort of cut against “sola fide” a little bit? I had always been under the impression that only Catholics, Orthodox and some High Church Anglicans really clung to “baptismal regeneration” through water baptism. I guess you learn something new every day! Thanks.
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diggerdomer
Guest
I’m not familiar with the term “baptismal regeneration” and am surprised it was the index of your NAB (I have NABs but none of them have that term in an index).Wow, I didn’t know that. I guess it follows that they also believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, like we believe – “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn. 3:5). Doesn’t that sort of cut against “sola fide” a little bit? I had always been under the impression that only Catholics, Orthodox and some High Church Anglicans really clung to “baptismal regeneration” through water baptism. I guess you learn something new every day! Thanks.
I’m most familiar with Lutherans, and all the ones I know share our baptismal theology regarding the aspects you mentioned.
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Ignatius33
Guest
You are right, I was reading the entry for the Sacrament of Baptism in the NAB index. But I have heard the term “baptismal regeneration” quite a bit – I think it stems from Titus 3:5 (see also CCC 1215; 1262-1274). I take it to mean that baptism not only cleanses orignal and actual sins, but also effects a new birth in the Holy Spirit and gives sanctifying grace, which is the grace of justification.
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