One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins

[fentonsteve]

In our profession of faith we state “we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”. How does that differ from the “born again” mentallity that many of our Christian brothers profess. It differs drastically from what we preach doesn’t it? Thanks in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Trad_Catholic]

fentonsteve:

In our profession of faith we state “we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”. How does that differ from the “born again” mentallity that many of our Christian brothers profess. It differs drastically from what we preach doesn’t it? Thanks in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

That means that only water Baptism can forgive sins, so it is necessary that everyone be baptized. In the Sacrament one is baptized with water and the Holy Ghost. They believe these are separate (Bapism of the Holy Ghost and Baptism of water). God bless.

 

[Fidelis]

It differentiates us from the sects who do not believe in baptismal regeneration, that is, they do not believe that baptism really does anything; it is just something you do as a public profession of your faith (talk about an empty ritual!). The understanding of Catholics, Orthodox, and most Christians since the time of the apostles is that baptism effects what it signifies: that it actually washes away original sin and all particular sins commited up to that time. For more info see:

catholic.com/library/Necessity_of_Baptism.asp

 

[fentonsteve]

Trad_Catholic:

That means that only water Baptism can forgive sins, so it is necessary that everyone be baptized. In the Sacrament one is baptized with water and the Holy Ghost. They believe these are separate (Bapism of the Holy Ghost and Baptism of water). God bless.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[fentonsteve]

Fidelis:

It differentiates us from the sects who do not believe in baptismal regeneration, that is, they do not believe that baptism really does anything; it is just something you do as a public profession of your faith (talk about an empty ritual!). The understanding of Catholics, Orthodox, and most Christians since the time of the apostles is that baptism effects what it signifies: that it actually washes away original sin and all particular sins commited up to that time. For more info see:

catholic.com/library/Necessity_of_Baptism.asp

Fidelis,
Thanks for your reply…What I find interesting is that we don’t state the we acknoledge baptism, but ONE baptism. And then we go on to say for the forgiveness of sins (plural) not singular as in Original Sin. Does this mean that if an adult is first baptised in the Church that it cleanses them of Original as well as all their “accumulated” sins? So in other words (I’m maybe answering my own question here), we believe that one baptism will forgive any and all sins once, but from then on we need to continually ask for, and through our Lords sacrifice, we are able to receive forgiveness?

 

[Fidelis]

fentonsteve:

Fidelis,
Thanks for your reply…What I find interesting is that we don’t state the we acknoledge baptism, but ONE baptism. And then we go on to say for the forgiveness of sins (plural) not singular as in Original Sin. Does this mean that if an adult is first baptised in the Church that it cleanses them of Original as well as all their “accumulated” sins? So in other words (I’m maybe answering my own question here), we believe that one baptism will forgive any and all sins once, but from then on we need to continually ask for, and through our Lords sacrifice, we are able to receive forgiveness?

That’s exactly right. Baptism for adults removes Original Sin and pre-baptismal sins. This places the individual who has been baptized and has placed his faith in Christ, in a state of Sanctifying Grace-- similar to what the Evangelicals would call being “justified” --a relationship with God that, if we sin thenceforth, we have the privilege, through the merits of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, of going before God, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confessing our sins and being restored and reconciled to Him.

Not to keep referring you to other resources, but Catholic Answers has yet another great tract on Grace to be found here:

catholic.com/library/Grace_What_It_Is.asp

 

[Paul_W]

“one Baptism” means that we, as Catholics, accept the Baptisms performed by Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, etc.

On occasion, a non-Catholic Christian who is welcomed into the Church will be “conditionally Baptised.” Meaning, there’s some confusion as to when and where they were Baptised, and just in case it didn’t really happen, this will do the trick. But it’s only valid the “second time” on the condition that they haven’t already been baptised.

In other words, once Baptised, always Baptised.

 

[Pani_Rose]

On occasion, a non-Catholic Christian who is welcomed into the Church will be “conditionally Baptised.”

I was conditionally Baptised since we were not able to locate my Baptismal Certificate when I was Baptised as a young Baptist at the age of nine.

St John Chrysostom states in a homily on Baptism that the soul from its beginning yearns to be one with it’s Creator, and is incomplete until it is Baptised into Christ. God is love and the soul yearns for the love it knew as it was created. So we are truly blessed that our souls are given that contact with the Triune God from the very beginning of this earthly life.

It is so true that as Protestants there is not the understanding of the Sacramental graces that are received through Baptism. When we enter the water of regeneration, we enter the tomb with Christ, we die to ourselves and are born again with a new life in Christ. Our soul is as pure of a white that can be in this human life at the time of Baptism. We are born from this human nature into Love Himself.

When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, again the sacramental grace confers upon us the life giving grace of the Paraclete. So our Protestant brethern have to see it as a separate action. They do not have the apostolic heritage to be given by annointing as we do. So for them it is two separate actions.

However, for us as Catholics, we have a fire that burns low within us. It is smoldering, the charcoals are hot. What we have to do as Catholics is say yes to God, to his Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his life giving Holy Spirit. This is the decision we must make as adult Catholics, then all of this is stirred into flame, a fire ignites within us.

In our Baptism and Chrismation/Confirmation we receive all that the Holy Spirit has to offer us. All that is written in the Scriptures are life. It is all in place, the Triune God is just waiting for our fiat. Then we have what the Protestants would call a born again experience or being Saved (again this is all done through Baptism and Confirmation), but it is the point where we take responcibility for what our parents and god parents gave and did for us as children.

rc.net/oakland/cpps/wednesdayholyweek.pdf

Pani Rose