water baptism

[broski234]

in protestant churches i recall they fully emerse people, oppose to the catholic church only puts water on the head. in the bible it says to fully immerse your self in water. why doesn’t the catholic church do this. im not sure im right on this but can you please explain how catholic’s baptize and how it applys to scripture.

thanks and god bless.

Mr. Isla

The bible does not say that baptism by immersion is the “only” true way of water baptism. Do you believe that the New Testament is conceiled in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is revealed in the New? If so, and I hope you do, what do you think of these verses in Ezek 36: 25-27? 2kings 5:14, Numbers 19:18, Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, Acts 2: 3-4, etc.

 

[davidv]

I think it does not matter, it is the attitude of the heart.

I matters plenty because as the Church teach’s, “matter matters”.

Why should we believe this?

First and foremost because Jesus took on flesh (matter).

Secondly the church teach’s that in order for the Sacraments to be valid they must include the proper matter and form.

 

[gcnuss]

I think it does not matter, it is the attitude of the heart.

I would agree, in part. Baptism is an act of God, performed by humans. It is necessary that the baptizer have the intent to baptize in the Trinitarian form, and to use water applied three times, but the attitude of the heart of the one baptized is immaterial, else infant baptism would be of no effect.

 

[CentralFLJames]

I would agree, in part. Baptism is an act of God, performed by humans. It is necessary that the baptizer have the intent to baptize in the Trinitarian form, and to use water applied three times, but the attitude of the heart of the one baptized is immaterial, else infant baptism would be of no effect.

In the case of infant baptism the infant’s parents or sponsor or speaking though their own faith for the child. The child will at the age of reason be able to confirm that faith for himself during the sacrament of “Confirmation”. If the child dies before attaining that age his parent’s faith taken together with the sworn oath to raise that child as a Christian and the sacrament itself guarantees that child salvation (since it has no original sin and can’t form a conscious to commit mortal sin).

But in the case of an adult baptism it is essential that that adult speak for himself out of his own convictions. If He does not belief then he does not form the proper interior state and the baptism although spiritually marking will not do him any good since it was insincerely received. If her later repents then he may repent and confess his sins (including the insincere preparation for baptismal intention) and God will still honor the original baptismal spiritual mark (but a conditional baptism should probably be considered).

James