Baptism Does What?

Q. Is it true that the Catholic Church actually teaches that there is some sort of actual saving value in the Sacrament of Baptism?

A. Yes, this is true. The Catholic Church teaches that Christ and His apostles connect the Initial Sacrament with salvation as seen in the written Word of God. (Please note that once again, I am indebted to the Anglican priest, Reverend M.F. Sadler for this particular compilation of verses as he laid them out in his book, The Second Adam and the New Birth.)

1. Christ lays down the terms of admission into His kingdom in some of His last words before the Ascension: Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

2. Our Saviour makes known the first mystery of His kingdom, the new birth, and He connects this birth with water: John 3:5 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

3. Christ, in the parting commission to the Apostles, empowers them to set up His kingdom: Matthew 28:19 "Go ye, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

4. Addressing an immense multitude of inquirers asking "what shall we do?", the Holy Spirit spoke with power through Peter, directing them: Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."

5. When Paul was converted, Jesus sent him to Damascus to receive instruction. What was that instruction from Ananias? Acts 22:16 "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

6. Paul uses the reality of God-given Baptismal Grace to urge the saints not to carry on in sin, abusing that grace: Romans 6:1-4 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

7. Paul goes on to express this same high view of Baptismal Grace in another epistle, further indicating the importance of this doctrine in the mind of the Apostle: Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

8. Paul alludes to Baptism as he beseeches the saints to abide in unity: Ephesians 4:1 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

9. Paul declares that Baptism is the very means by which God cleanses His Church, sanctifying the Bride for Christ: Ephesians 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."

10. In another epistle, Paul clearly refers to Baptism as effecting real grace from God on the one baptized. Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." At this point in Reverend Sadler's book, he mentions Martin Luther and John Calvin and 12 other "significant figures" who agree that Paul is referring to Baptism when he says "washing of regeneration".

11. The doctrine of Baptism is included among the "first principles of the doctrine of Christ." Hebrews 6 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Baptism is a foundational principle.

12. Paul, here exhorting the saints at Galatia to a right grasp of the gospel and the law, says that all in Christ are heirs according to the promise given to Abraham and his seed. Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

The Scriptures do teach that those baptized into Christ are made members of His Body and thereby are washed of sins and regenerated unto life.

We believe that God can and does effect this covenantal grace without regard for our age or our level of understanding or maturity.