I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS A. Why the Sacraments?
16
1 I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS A. Why the Sacraments? • Sin and its Consequences o Adam and Eve were created in perfection – within themselves and their relationship with God. § They had self-mastery, in which their intellect and will (spiritual faculties) controlled the passions and desires of the body. (Read CCC 377) o However, Adam and Eve said ‘no’ to God. They placed themselves above God and ‘tried to be the creator instead of the creature.’ This desire to be our own masters, to decide good and evil for ourselves, is the root of the first sin and every one after it. o As well, their ‘no’ to God was fueled by a distrust in God’s goodness. St. John Paul II said that the root of every sin is a ‘distrust in the Fatherhood of God.’ When Satan tempts Adam and Eve, he is essentially saying, “God is not who you think He is. He is a tyrant, looking to hold things back from you so He can be in control.” Adam and Eve believed his lie and ate from the tree. o However, in Genesis 3:15, the protoevangelium, God promises a Redeemer in Christ. • Jesus o In the sending of his Son Jesus, God seeks us to free us from the slavery of sin; He seeks to make possible again our eternal salvation – which was lost to us because of sin. o His Life, Death, and Resurrection accomplish this mission (our salvation). • The Sacraments o When Jesus ascended into heaven, He did not leave us alone or without help to get to heaven and be with Him. He did not leave us broken and wounded sinners without hope. Instead He left his Church, and gave his Church the Sacraments, which are the great torrents of grace that give us life, aid, holiness, healing and everything else we are in need of. o When Jesus was here on earth, he did not write a Bible. In fact, He did not write anything. So what did He leave us with? He left us with his living Church. How? § He made 12 men its leaders and sent them into the world to gather his children. § He gave his Church ‘sources of grace’ – graces that bring us salvation, heal us, and make us whole. These are the Sacraments. § The Church’s life is based on the Sacraments. B. What are the Sacraments? • Sacrament comes from the Latin word sacramentum. In ancient Rome, this was a sacred oath to emperor, promising to devote one’s whole life to the empire and fellow soldiers. They were transformed into something greater with a mission vital to the Roman Empire. o Catholics also believe that the sacraments transform us into something greater. We are made into imago Christi, another Christ. We become part of the Church, and we are given a mission to save souls and transform the world. • Definition from CCC 1131 – “An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit.” o Signs
Transcript of I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS A. Why the Sacraments?
1
I.INTRODUCTIONTOTHESACRAMENTS
A.WhytheSacraments?• SinanditsConsequences
o AdamandEvewerecreatedinperfection–withinthemselvesandtheirrelationshipwithGod.§ Theyhadself-mastery,inwhichtheirintellectandwill(spiritualfaculties)controlledthe
passionsanddesiresofthebody.(ReadCCC377)o However,AdamandEvesaid‘no’toGod.TheyplacedthemselvesaboveGodand‘triedtobe
thecreatorinsteadofthecreature.’Thisdesiretobeourownmasters,todecidegoodandevilforourselves,istherootofthefirstsinandeveryoneafterit.
o Aswell,their‘no’toGodwasfueledbyadistrustinGod’sgoodness.St.JohnPaulIIsaidthattherootofeverysinisa‘distrustintheFatherhoodofGod.’WhenSatantemptsAdamandEve,heisessentiallysaying,“GodisnotwhoyouthinkHeis.Heisatyrant,lookingtoholdthingsbackfromyousoHecanbeincontrol.”AdamandEvebelievedhislieandatefromthetree.
o However,inGenesis3:15,theprotoevangelium,GodpromisesaRedeemerinChrist.• Jesus
o InthesendingofhisSonJesus,Godseeksustofreeusfromtheslaveryofsin;Heseekstomakepossibleagainoureternalsalvation–whichwaslosttousbecauseofsin.
o HisLife,Death,andResurrectionaccomplishthismission(oursalvation).• TheSacraments
o WhenJesusascendedintoheaven,HedidnotleaveusaloneorwithouthelptogettoheavenandbewithHim.Hedidnotleaveusbrokenandwoundedsinnerswithouthope.InsteadHelefthisChurch,andgavehisChurchtheSacraments,whicharethegreattorrentsofgracethatgiveuslife,aid,holiness,healingandeverythingelseweareinneedof.
o WhenJesuswashereonearth,hedidnotwriteaBible.Infact,Hedidnotwriteanything.SowhatdidHeleaveuswith?HeleftuswithhislivingChurch.How?
§ Hemade12menitsleadersandsentthemintotheworldtogatherhischildren.§ HegavehisChurch‘sourcesofgrace’–gracesthatbringussalvation,healus,andmake
uswhole.ThesearetheSacraments.§ TheChurch’slifeisbasedontheSacraments.
B.WhataretheSacraments?
• SacramentcomesfromtheLatinwordsacramentum.InancientRome,thiswasasacredoathtoemperor,promisingtodevoteone’swholelifetotheempireandfellowsoldiers.TheyweretransformedintosomethinggreaterwithamissionvitaltotheRomanEmpire.
o Catholicsalsobelievethatthesacramentstransformusintosomethinggreater.WearemadeintoimagoChristi,anotherChrist.WebecomepartoftheChurch,andwearegivenamissiontosavesoulsandtransformtheworld.
• DefinitionfromCCC1131–“Anefficacioussignofgrace,institutedbyChristandentrustedtotheChurch,bywhichdivinelifeisdispensedtousthroughtheworkoftheHolySpirit.”
o Signs
2
§ Ashumanbeings,wearematerialbeingswhogetinformationthroughoursenses.Wetouchthings,seethem,hearthem,tastethem,etc.Thisishowwegetalltheinformationfromtheworld.
§ Therefore,Godrevealshimselfthroughthematerialworld,throughvisibleandtangiblesigns.Herevealshimselftohumansinahumanway(Noahandtherainbow,Mosesandtablets,etc).Heevenbecomesoneofus.
• ThisiswhyChristhimselfisaSacramentoftheFather.Christmakesvisible(asahumanbeing)theinvisibleFather.
• TheChurchisaSacramentofChristbecausetheChurch(presentasavisibleorganizationandvisiblepeople)makesvisibletheinvisibleChrist(whoisnowinheaven).
§ Allthesacramentshaveamaterialsign(water,bread,wine,etc.)§ Thesacramentshavealsobeendescribedasthe“visiblesignofGod’sinvisiblegrace.”
• Thevisiblepartofthesacrament‘hides’theinvisiblerealitybehindit.• Inbaptism,weseethewater,butdonotseethesoulbeingcleansedofsin.• IntheEucharist,weseethebread,butwedonotseetheBodyofChrist.• Christisthesameway–weseethevisibleman,butdonotseetheinvisibleGod.• Theyareboth“human”(visible)and“divine”(invisible)justlikeChrist.
§ Theyactexopereoperato(“bytheveryfactoftheactionsbeingperformed”)–thismeansthatthey“work”nomatterwhat.Thepersongivingthemdoesnothavetobeholy,northepersonreceivingthem.(CCC1128)
§ Thismeansthatnomatterwhat–iftheyaredonecorrectly–theygivethegracestheyareintendedtogive.
• However,wecanblockthereceptionofgrace:o byourlackoffaitho byourlackofrepentanceo byacontrarywill–inotherwords,wedonotwanttoreceivethem.
• Thefruitsofthesacramentsinourownheartsdependonourowndispositionsinreceivingthem.
o SignsofGrace§ Grace-thepowerandloveofGodactinginourlives.ItisGod’sgifttous–thegiftofhis
veryself–thatallowsustobehealed,tobeholy,andtobesharersinhisdivinelife.§ Graceisgiventoallpeopleatalltimes.Itleadsustothequestion–howdoesgraceget
inthesoul?§ ActualGrace
• Giventousanytime,allthetime.Theyhelpusdogoodworks,makegoodchoices,overcometemptations,etc.Theypromptustowardgoodness.
• Itdoesnotforceustomakegoodchoices,butgivesusthegracetoactuallydoso.Thegraceisalwaysavailabletous,butwemustchoosetoacceptitandrespond.
§ SanctifyingGrace• Definition:“Astableandsupernaturaldispositionthatperfectsthesoulitselfto
enabletoliveswithGod,toactbyhislove.”• SanctifyinggracesmakeitpossibletoshareinGod’sowndivinelife.Itmakes
unionwithGodandheavenpossible.Withoutsanctifyinggrace,wecannotpartake(sharein)hisdivinelife.
o Anexamplethatmighthelpusunderstand:Ournaturalorbiologicallifeisgiventousbyourparents.Withthislife,weareabletolivehereon
3
earth.Imagine,however,thatwewantedtofly.Onourown,wearenotcapableofflying.Weneedsomesortofhelporaidtodoso.Sanctifyinggraceislike‘wings’oran‘airplane’ofsorts,thatgivesusthecapacityto‘fly’orhavethesupernatural/divineofGod.Itisimpossiblewithourownnaturalcapacities–weneedagiftthatonlyGodcangive.
o Thissupernaturallifeallowsustoaccomplishthingsbeyondournormalcapabilities.TheSaintsdemonstratethistousbytheirlivesofheroicloveandgenerosityandsacrifice.
• ThegracesgiventousintheSacraments.o SacramentalGraces–Thisisthesanctifyinggracereceivedinthe
Sacraments.o ThisiswhytheSacramentsarenecessaryforsalvation–becausethey
impartsanctifyinggracetous.§ CCC1129states,“TheChurchaffirmsthatforbelieversthe
sacramentsoftheNewCovenantarenecessaryforsalvation.”• Itisahabitualgrace.
o Thismeansthatthisgraceabidesinusalways.• Sanctifyinggracedoesnotpreventusfromsinning.Itgivesusthegracetoavoid
sinandchooseGod,butwestillmustfreelyuseourfreewillstochoosethegood.
• SanctifyingGraceandSino Thepowerofsanctifyinggraceinourlivesisweakenedthroughvenial
sin.o Sanctifyinggraceislostthroughmortalsin.Itisregainedinthe
SacramentofConfession.o ItisJesushimselfwhoinstitutedthesacramentswhilehewasonearth.
§ Aswell,itisJesushimselfwhoisgivingthegracethroughtheministersofhisSacraments.ItisJesusforgiving,JesusgivingushisBodyandBlood,etc.
§ Heuseshisministerstogivethisgracetohispeople.• Justlikeinthemiracleofthemultiplicationoftheloaves–Jesusdoesthe
miracle,butHegivesthebreadtotheApostlestodistributetothepeople.§ ReadCCC1084
o TheyarethechannelsofDivineLifethatJesusestablishedforoursanctification• Theyarenecessaryforoursalvation
o Theygivesacramentalgrace–whichisthegracepropertothatsacrament.o TheHolySpiritheals,transformsandsanctifiesuswiththem.o ReadCCC1129
C.MetaphysicsoftheSacraments
• EachSacramenthas3requisiteelements:o Matter:Itisthematerialphysicalsignitselfthatisactuallyusedinthesacrament.
§ Ex:breadandwine,water,oil,etc.§ Thesignsormatterareordinarythingsofdailylife.TheLordtransformsthemandgives
ussupernaturallifethroughthem.o Form:thewordsandactionsoftheritethatactuallymakethematterachannelofgrace.
§ Ex:thewordsofthepriestmakethebreadandthewinebecometheBodyandBloodofChrist.
4
§ Withoutthewords(form)thematterremainssimplyitsordinarysubstance.Thesignisnotpresent,andthematterisnotsacramental.
o Minister:thepersonwhoperformstheSacrament.§ TheultimateministerisChristhimself,whogivesthegraceoftheSacrament.§ However,heneedsahumanpersonwhoactsasachannelofthisgrace.Thispersonis
theminister.§ Ingeneral,JesusgavehisApostleshisauthoritytoministertheSacraments.§ However,theministerdoesvarysomewhatfromSacramenttoSacrament.
• Substance:whenyouhavetherightmatterandformyouactuallytheSacrament(substance)itself,whichbecomesasourceofgraceforus.
o Ex:theEucharist• End/Purpose:Thepurposeofthesacramentsisthreefold(CCC1123):
o TogivetoworshipGodo Ourownsanctification(tomakeusholy).o TobuilduptheChurch
Aspect SacramentMatter Bread,Wine,Water,OilForm WordsandActionsofthe
RiteSubstance ASacrament
End/Purpose Worship,Sanctification,Build
5
II.BAPTISMINSCRIPTURE(seeCCC1214-1284)
A.IntroductiontoBaptism
• Thefirstofthesevensacraments,andthe‘door’whichgivesaccesstotheothersacraments.BaptismisthefirstandchiefsacramentofforgivenessofsinsbecauseitunitesuswithChrist,whodiedforoursinsandroseforourjustification.Itisoneofthethree‘sacramentsofinitiation’(Baptism,Eucharist,Confirmation).(TakenfromtheCCCDefinitions)
• Jesusmakesitclearthatbaptismisnecessaryforsalvationandeternallife.o “Jesusansweredandsaidtohim,“Amen,amen,Isaytoyou,noonecanseethekingdomofGod
withoutbeingbornfromabove.”Nicodemussaidtohim,“Howcanapersononcegrownoldbebornagain?Surelyhecannotreenterhismother’swombandbebornagain,canhe?”Jesusanswered,“Amen,amen,Isaytoyou,noonecanenterthekingdomofGodwithoutbeingbornofwaterandSpirit.Whatisbornoffleshisfleshandwhatisbornofspiritisspirit.DonotbeamazedthatItoldyou,‘Youmustbebornfromabove.’”(John3:3-7)
• Baptismthenbecomesthe‘door’throughwhichwemustenterintoeternallife.B.OldTestamentBackgroundofBaptism
• Genesis1:2–Creation–(CCC1218)o “andtheearthwaswithoutformorshape,withdarknessovertheabyssandamightywindsweeping
overthewaters.”(Gen1:2)§ TheSpiritishoveringoverthewater,whichbringsaboutanewcreation.
o Inbaptism,theSpirithoversoverthewaterandus,bringaboutanewcreationinoursouls.• Genesis7-9–NoahandtheArk(CCC1219)
TypologyofBaptismandNoah’sArk
Noah’sArk BaptismTodaySinhadundoneandruinedGod’screation Sinruinsus(God’screation)Thefloodwaterswashawaywickednessandsin-allthosewhohadsinnedandabandonedGod
Thewaterofbaptismwashesawayallthesininus.Wickednessiswashedawayintheflood,justasitisinusthroughthewatersofbaptism.
Thewatersrecedeandthereisanewcreation,anewbeginning.
Weareanewcreation–achildofGod.
Godthenrestoreshisblessinguponhiscreationandman,andthereisanewbeginning
Wehaveanewbeginning–lifeinChrist,insteadofalifeenslavedtosin.
TheArkisaplacedwherepeoplearesavedfromthedestructionoftheflood
TheArkisatypeoftheChurch.WhenwearewithintheChurch,wearesavedfromthe‘flood’aroundus.
o St.Peteralsodescribesthisin1Peter3:20-21–“WhohadoncebeendisobedientwhileGodpatiently
waitedinthedaysofNoahduringthebuildingoftheark,inwhichafewpersons,eightinall,weresavedthroughwater.Thisprefiguredbaptism,whichsavesyounow.ItisnotaremovalofdirtfromthebodybutanappealtoGodforaclearconscience,throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist.”
6
• Exodus14:10-31–TheCrossingoftheRedSea(CCC1221)
TypologyofBaptismandCrossingtheRedSea
CrossingoftheRedSea BaptismTodayIsraelites–werefreedfrombondagetoPharaohandtheEgyptians
Christians–freedfromthebondagetosinandSatan.
crossingthroughwatersbringsanewlife,afreedomfromslavery
wetoogothroughthewaters(ofbaptism)andarefreedfromtheslaveryofsin.
IntheRedSea,thewicked(Egyptians)areagaindestroyed.
Thewickednessisdestroyedinus.
AftertheCrossingoftheRedSea,theyenterthePromisedLand
Afterbaptism,wecanenterthePromisedLandofHeaven
o 1Corinthians10:1-4–St.Paulmakesthesameconnection.
• Joshua4(CCC1222)o JoshualeadstheIsraelitesacrosstheJordanRiverintothePromisedLand.o ThewaterspartandtheyallpassovertheJordanriverontodryland.o Withthis,ExodusfromEgyptiscomplete.
• JewishPurificationRiteso BaptismcomesfromtheGreekwordbaptizein,whichmeans“toplunge,toimmerseortodip”(CCC
1214)o Oftenwhentherewassomesortofpurificationneeded–duetosinorritualuncleanliness,Jewishlaw
requiredsomesortofcleansingwithwaterorblood–bydipping,immersion,etc.o Seep.29forconcreteexamples
• JohntheBaptisto AtthetimeofJesus,thereexistedwithinJudaismthepracticeofritualbaptismforpurificationan
conversion.o OneofthegroupsthatpracticedthiswastheEssenes.
§ Theydidthesedailypurifications,wouldthendressinwhite,andshareacommonmeal(noticethesimilaritieswiththebaptismtodayandthecelebrationoftheEucharist).
§ JohntheBaptistcouldhavebeenpartofthisgrouporassociatedwithit.However,wedonotknowthisforsure.
o JohntheBaptistpracticedthistypeofbaptism.§ However,heknewthattherewasanotherbaptismwiththeSpiritthatwastocome(andhe
knewhewasnotgivingit).ReadMatt3:11.§ Aswell,heknewhewasbaptizingtopreparethewayforthecomingoftheMessiah.ReadJohn
1:19-27.C.TheNewTestamentandBaptism
• TheBaptismofJesuso WiththeBaptismofJesus,somethingnewbegins.o JesusisbaptizedinthewatersoftheJordanbyJohntheBaptist,theHolySpiritrestsuponHim
§ JustasSpiritofGodhoveredoverthewatersattheoutsetofcreation,sotooGod’sspiritnowhoversoverthewatersoftheJordanandanointsJesus,therebyusheringinthestartofthenewcreationinChrist(ReadCCC1224)
§ 2Cor5:17–“Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,heisanewcreation;theoldhaspassedaway,behold,thenewhascome.”
• JesusInstitutestheSacramentofBaptismo ThefinalinstructionsofJesustohisApostlesistogooutintotheworld,teachingpeoplewhatHehad
taughtthem,andbaptizingthem.§ “Go,therefore,andmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,and
oftheSon,andoftheholySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou.Andbehold,Iamwithyoualways,untiltheendoftheage.”(Matt28:19-20)
7
§ ThisisasummaryoftheministryoftheApostlesandtheirsuccessors(thebishopsandpriests):teachandsanctify.
• TheCrucifixionofJesuso TheChurchhasalwaysseenthatthebloodandwaterthatflowedoutofthepiercedHeartofJesuson
thecross,wasa‘type’ofthesacramentsofbaptism(water)andtheEucharist(blood).These2sacraments,whichbringussalvation,flowfromtheHeartofChristthatlovesusdeeplyandtotheextreme,tothelastdrop.
o WhatistheconnectionthenbetweenJesus’BaptismandCrucifixionintheGospelofMark?§ HeavensaretornopenwhenJesuscomesupfromthewatersoftheJordanandtheSpiritcomes
downuponHim(Mk1:10)§ TheGreekwordschidzomeansto“tearasunder”–heavenisdramaticallyopenedupandthe
SpiritsetlooseatJesus’Baptism§ TheonlyothertimethiswordschidzousedisatendoftheGospelofMark,attheCrucifixion,as
JesusuttersaloudcryandbreathsHislast:thecurtainoftheTempleistorn(schidzo)fromtoptobottom(Mk15:37-38).
• TheTemplecurtainwasintheinnersanctum;itblockedoffentryintotheHolyofHolieswheretheSpiritofGoddweltintheTemple
§ ThisshowsaparallelbetweentheheavensandtheTemplecurtainbeingtornopen.o WhyBaptismandCrucifixionlinkedtogetherbytearingoftheheavensandtheTemplecurtain?
§ BaptismisinherentlyconnectedwiththeCrossofChrist§ JamesandJohnaskiftheycansitattherightandleftofJesus.Hesays“areyouabletodrinkthe
cupthatIdrink,ortobebaptizedwiththebaptismwithwhichIambaptized?”(Mk10:38)• BaptismandtheCross
o ReadRomans6:1-11.Whatistherelationship,accordingtoSaintPaul,betweenBaptismandtheCross?o PaulexplainsthatBaptismisanincorporationintothedeathofChrist:“doyounotknowthatallofus
whohavebeenbaptizedintoChristJesuswerebaptizedintohisdeath?”(Rom6:3)o HowdoesBaptismsignifyourincorporationintoJesus’deathontheCross?Bythefactthatimmersion
signifiesdeath,justastheimmersioninthefloodinthetimeofNoahortheimmersionofPharaoh’sarmyintheRedSea;botharetypesofthedeaththatwatercanbring.Baptismthen,isasignofdeath,andofJesus’deathinparticular(Rom6:4).
o “ThebaptismwithwhichIambaptized,youwillbebaptized”(Mk10:39)• BaptismandourDeath
o HowdoesBaptismsignifyourburialwithJesus?§ Whenwearebaptizedweareburiedbythewater(deathtosin)andrisetonewlife
o ReadColossians1:21-23,2:12-14;3:1-4.§ HowshouldourlivesbemodeledonthetwofoldstructureofBaptism?Thatis,onthedeathand
ResurrectionofChrist?§ SaintPaulexhortstheColossianstoliveoutthedyingandrisingwithChrist,whichthey
experiencedinBaptism,intheirdailylives,saying,“IfwithChristyoudied…whydoyouliveasifyoustillbelongedtotheworld?”(Col2:20)
§ Theyshouldhaveasupernaturaloutlookonlifenowbecauseofbaptismthey“haveputonthenewnature,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeaftertheimageofitscreator”(Col3:10)
• Summaryo InBaptismwenotonlydietotheoldnature,butweputonthenewnature,adornedwiththegracesof
ChristandwiththeHolySpirit,whichempowersustoliveassonsanddaughtersofGodtheFather,inimitationoftheeternalSon,JesusChrist.
o Spiritcomesuponusandwearegiven,asSaintPaulsays,the“newnature”(Eph4:24,CCC1262,1265)o SeeCCC1217-1221
§ ShowstheprayerofEasterVigiloverthebaptismalwaters–summarizesallwehavebeengoingthrough.
8
III.THESACRAMENTOFBAPTISM
A.NamesofBaptismandtheEffectsofBaptism
• Knowthelistsonpages32and33inyourbooks(namesofbaptism,effectsofbaptism)• Someimportanteffectsinmoredepth…
o Webecomea“newcreature”ChristandtheHolySpirit§ WebecomeachildofGod,hisadoptedsonsanddaughters§ Galatians3:27–“ForasmanyofyouaswerebaptizedintoChristhaveputonChrist.”§ Giventhegracesofjustificationwhich:
• Givesusthetheologicalvirtuesoffaith,hope,andlove• GivesusthegiftsoftheHolySpirit,whichallowsustoliveandactunderthepromptings
oftheHolySpirit• Givesusthemoralvirtuesofprudence,temperance,justice,andfortitude.
o IncorporatedintotheBodyofChrist,theChurch§ 1Cor12:13–“byoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintooneBody.”§ Thismeanswehavearoletofulfill,aparttoplay.§ Itmeansthatallbaptizedpeopleareourbrothersandsisters.§ Weshareinthe3-foldmissionofChrist:
• Priestlymission:tooffersacrifice(ourlives)toGod• Propheticmission:toproclaimtheGoodNews• Kinglymission:“toserveistoreign”
§ WeshareintherightsanddutiesofbeingamembersoftheChurch:• Rights:
o Toreceivethesacramentso TobenourishedbytheWordofGodo TobesustainedbyotherspiritualhelpsintheChurch
• Duties:o Baptizedpersonnolongerlivesforhimself,butforChrist.Wearehis
possession.o TolivealifeinserviceoftheChurcho ToobeyandsubmittoChurchleaders,withrespectandaffection
o Givesusanindeliblespiritualmark§ WearemarkedwithChrist,andnothingcanevertakeitaway.§ Evensincannotremovethismark,thoughitcanpreventbaptismfrombearingthefruitsthat
leadtosalvation.Inotherwords,themarkwillneverleaveus,butitdoesnotguaranteeusheaven.Westillhavetochooseit.
B.BaptismandOriginalSin
• DefinitionofSin:CCC1849–“Sinisanoffenseagainstreason,truth,andrightconscience;itisfailureingenuineloveforGodandneighborcausedbyaperverseattachmenttocertaingoods.Itwoundsthenatureofmanandinjureshumansolidarity.Ithasbeendefinedas"anutterance,adeed,oradesirecontrarytotheeternallaw."
• Otherdefinitionsofsin:o AfreechoicetochooseourwillaboveGod’swill.
9
o ViolationofGreatCommandment:“LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andallyoursoul,andallyourstrengthandyourneighborasyourself.”
• OriginalSin:o AdamandEveweregivenmanygiftstopasstotheirdescendants.Withsin,theylostthesegiftsand
passedalonginsteadtheconsequencesoftheirsinagainstGod.o Sinbroughtthefollowingconsequences(afallenstate):
§ lossoffriendshipwithGod.§ Humannatureisweakenedinitspowers§ Subjecttosufferinganddeath§ Weakandwoundedintellect(ignorance,confusion,darkened)§ Willisinclinedandattractedtosin(concupiscence)
o Baptismgetsridoforiginalsin,butnotalltheconsequences(likeconcupiscence)§ Tobattletheeffectsofsin,wemustreceivegracesfromthesacraments,prayer,andalifeof
discipline,penanceandmortification.• Personalsin:
o Baptismalsoremits(getsridof)allpersonalsin:sinwehavepersonallycommittedbyourownfreechoice.
o However,asweknowfromexperience,wecontinuetosinafterbaptism,andtherefore,weneedawaytoabsolveusofpersonalsin.Hence,theLordgivesusthesacramentofConfession,inordertoremit(getridof)anypersonalsinwehavecommittedafterbaptism.
C.TheSacramentanditsCelebration
§ MatterandFormo Matter:Water
§ Thenaturalsignofwater:• Waterisusednaturallyforcleaningthings,purifyingthings,etc.itisnaturalthatthe
matter,orvisiblesign,ofthissacrament,whichmeanswearecleansedofoursin,iswater.
• Aswell,onamorenegativenote,watercouldalsobethecauseofdeathbydrowning.Therefore,itisalsoanappropriatesignforthe‘deathtosin’thatalsooccursinthissacrament.Sinis‘drowned’and‘puttodeath’inbaptism.
§ IntheSacrament:• Thewatermusthavecontactwiththebody.• Baptismbyimmersion:personiscompletelysubmergedunderthewater.
o Symboloftotalcleansingandthedrowningofsinandthe‘oldman.’• Baptismbyaffusion:pouringwateroverthecandidate3times.
o IntheearlyChurch,thiswasdoneonlywhenimmersionwasnotpossible.IntheLatinChurch(west),thishasbecomethenormtoday.
o Form:“Name,IbaptizeyouinthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit.”§ ThesewordscomedirectlyfromthemouthofChristasseenintheGospels.
o Minister:Anyone§ Theordinaryministerisabishop,priest,ordeacon.§ Inthecaseofnecessity,anyonecanbaptize(withthecorrectmatterandform)
§ TheRiteofBaptism(theliturgicalcelebrationofbaptism)o TheQuestionsoftheChurch:
§ Whatnamehaveyougivenyourchild?• UsuallyshouldbeaChristianname–thenameofaSaint,abiblicalfigure,etc.It
remindsusthatwearebeingdrawnintothecommunionofSaints,andgivesusaspecialfiguretoimitateandaspecialpatroninheavenprayingforus.
• Themeaningofaname:Alwaysinhistory,namesmeansomething.WhenwereadScripture,weseethatthenameofeveryplaceandpersonalwayshasameaningassociatedtotheperson,theplace,andthecircumstancessurroundingthebirthoran
10
eventthathasrecentlyoccurred.Culturally,wehavelostsomeofthisunderstandingregardingtheimportanceofaname.
§ WhatdoyouaskofGod’sChurch?• Byaskingforbaptism,theparentsareassumingtheresponsibilityfor2things:
o ToaccepttheresponsibilitytoeducateandtrainthechildinthepracticeoftheFaith.
o ToteachthechildtokeepGod’scommandments,bylovingGodandneighbor.• AccordingtoSt.JohnPaulII,thehomeisthe‘domesticChurch.’Itisthefirstandmost
importantplacewherechildrenareformed,educated,madeholy,andtaught.ItiswheretheyfirstlearnofGodandhisloveforus,virtue,service,andhowtolove.Itisthemostimportantschool.
• IftherenorealhopethatachildisgoingtobetaughttheFaith,baptismshouldbeputoff.
o GodparentsandSponsors§ Notjustanhonorarytitle.§ Atabaptism,theremustbeonesponsorandonewitness.§ Sponsor(Godparent)
• PerformsdutiesofGodparent• Mustbeatleast16yearsold.• MustbeaconfirmedCatholic,whohasreceivedHolyCommunionandlivesalifein
accordancetotheroletheywillundertake.§ Witness
• DoesnothavetobeCatholic.Canactasawitness,butcannotbeagodparent.o TheCeremony
§ Celebrant,parentsandgodparentsmakesignofCrossonforehead.§ ReadingoftheWordofGod
• IfduringaMass,theMassreadingsforthatdayareused.• IfoutsideofMass,readingisselectedfromamongpre-chosenoptions.
§ Homily§ Petitions§ LitanyoftheSaints
• InvokingtheintercessionoftheSaints.§ Anointingwiththeoilofcatechumens(oliveoilblessedonHolyThursday)§ Blessingofthebaptismalwater.§ Professionalorrenewalofbaptismalpromises
• Allpresentrenewtheirbaptismalpromises.§ Thebaptismofthechild§ AnointsthechildwithHolyChrism(mixofblessedoliveoilandbalsamoilblessedonHoly
Thursday)§ Clothedwithawhitegarment(symbolizedthatwehavebeenwashedcleanofsin)§ CandleislitfromtheEastercandle(symbolizingthatthepersonhasbeengiventhelightof
Christ)§ Whocanreceivebaptism?
o AnyonewhobelievesJesusistheMessiah.D.BaptismthroughHistory
§ IntheEarlyChurch(firstcenturies)Baptismwasprecededbyyearsofcatechumenalpreparation.Aftertheseyearsofcatechesis,thepersonreceivedall3SacramentsofInitiationatonetime–Baptism,Confirmation,Eucharist.
o Theperiodofcatechumenatewassolongfor2mainreasons:§ ThecultureofthetimewasnotChristianatall.Therefore,peopleneededsignificanttimeto
understandwhatChristianitywas,howtoliveit,andwhatitmeantfortheirlives.
11
§ Aswell,tobeaChristianoftenmeantmartyrdom.Onehadtobetrulypreparedforthatrealityandreadytoacceptit.
§ Asinfantbaptismbecamethenorm,theperiodofthecatechumenatecameafterbaptism.§ Aswell,theSacramentsofConfirmationandtheEucharistbegantobegivenatalaterage–followingbaptism
andlongerperiodsofcatecheticalinstruction.E.DifferencesinBaptismintheEastandWest
§ IntheWesternChurch(LatinorRoman)o Baptismisnormallygiventoinfants.Theother2sacramentsofInitiationaregivenlateron,after
periodsofcatecheticalinstruction.o Baptismisusuallydonebyaffusion(thoughtimmersionwouldalsobecompletelyacceptable).
§ EasternRiteChurcheso IntheEasternRiteChurches,all3SacramentsofInitiationareusuallystillgivenatthesametime–
usuallywhenthechildisababy.o Baptismisusuallydonebyimmersion.o ThechildusuallyfacestheEast(thedirectionoftheresurrection)o Hairisoftencutintonsure
F.BaptismandCatechesis(ortheCatechumenate)
§ Catechumenate–aperiodofformalinstructionorcatechesisontheFaithofJesusChristandhisChurch,usuallygiventoapersontopreparethemforbaptism.
§ InfantBaptismo Ininfantbaptism,theperiodofcatechesis/catechumenate(learningthefaith)comesafterbaptism.o Thechild’sparents,firstandforemost,shouldgivethecatechesis.o However,theChurchalsoassistsandcontributestothiseducation(throughCatholicschools,CCD
programs,etc.)§ Adultbaptismtoday(CCC1247-1249)
o Thosewhoarenotbaptizedaschildrencanreceivebaptismasadults.o Usuallyadultswillgothroughmonthsofcatechesis/catechumenate(educationinthefaith)before
receivingbaptism.ThisprocessiscalledtheRiteofChristianInitiationforAdults(RCIA).§ TheprocessissimilartotheearlyChurch.§ ThosewhogothroughRCIAreceiveall3sacramentsofinitiationatthesametime.
G.LivingourBaptismalPromises
• Atourbaptismwepromise(orourparentspromiseonourbehalf):o TorenounceSatan,hisworks,andallhisemptypromises.
§ Thisiskey,becauseinbaptismwearechangingfromachildofsatantoachildofGod.Therefore,wehavetorejectfreelywhatweareleaving.
o Thatwebelievein:§ God,theFatherAlmighty,creatorofheavenandearth§ JesusChrist,hisonlySon,ourLord,whowasbornoftheVirginMarywascrucified,died,and
wasburied,rosefromthedead,andisnowseatedattherighthandoftheFather§ TheHolySpirit,theholyCatholicchurch,thecommunionofsaints,theforgivenessofsins,the
resurrectionofthebody,andlifeeverlasting.§ AllthattheholyCatholicChurchbelieves,professes,teaches,andproclaimstoberevealedby
God.”• However,wearenotusuallyfaithfultothesepromises…
o Witheachsin,webreakourpromisetorenounceSatan,andwerejecttheFaithandallitentails.o Thisiswhythesacramentofreconciliationbecomesnecessary.Wemusthaveameansofreconciling
ourselveswithGodagainafterhavingoffendedhimandbrokenthepromiseswemadeatbaptism.• Ourwholelifeisanefforttofulfillourbaptismalpromises.
o Atourbaptism,thefaithisplantedlikeaseedinourhearts.Thisseedshouldbenourishedandcontinuetogrowourwholelives.Ifwedonotnourishourfaith,theneventuallyitcandie.
12
o Weshouldalwaysbegrowingandlivingourbaptismalpromisesmorefully.§ Wedonotlivewhatwebelieveoftentimes.Everysinisadenialofwhatwesaidwewoulddo
andwhatwebelieveatbaptism.Therefore,wemustspendourwholelivesperfectinghowweliveandadheretoourbaptismalpromises–whichmeansrootingoutsinfromourlives.
• WhatisthefulfillmentofBaptism?o Holinessisthefulfillmentofbaptismo Holinessissimplywhenwefinallybecomewhatwehavepromisedtobe–atruechildofGodthe
Father,inunionwithHim,andintotalrenouncementofSatanandhisworks.§ Wearehischildrenwhenwearedoinghisworks.§ “IfGodwereyourFather,youwouldloveme,forIcamefromGod…Whydoyounot
understandwhatIamsaying?Becauseyoucannotbeartohearmyword.Youbelongtoyourfatherthedevilandyouwillinglycarryoutyourfather’sdesigns….thereisnotruthinhim.Whenhetellsalie,hespeaksincharacter,becauseheisaliarandthefatheroflies.ButbecauseIspeakthetruth,youdonotbelieveinme….WhoeverbelongstoGodhearsthewordsofGod…Ifyouloveme,youwillkeepmycommandments.”(John8:42-47;14:15)
o Wehaveonlyfulfilledourbaptismwhenweareholy,whenwearecarryingoutourheavenlyFather’sworksandnottheworksofSatan.
o “Toask…‘DoyouwishtoreceiveBaptism?’meansatthesametimetoask…‘Doyouwishtobecomeholy?’”(JohnPaulII,NovoMillennioIneunte,31).
o “ItispossibletosaythatthiscalltoholinessispreciselythebasicchargeentrustedtoallthesonsanddaughtersoftheChurch…Thischargeisnotasimplemoralexhortationbutanundeniablerequirement.”(JPII,Christifideleslaici,16)
13
IV.IMPORTANTQUESTIONSREGARDINGBAPTISM
A.IsBaptismNecessaryforSalvation?
• Thesimpleansweris‘yes’.o First,Jesusisveryclearthatwemustbe‘bornofwaterandSpirittoentertheKingdomofGod.’(Jn3:5)o Aswell,theearlyChurchFatherswroteintheNiceneCreed(A.D.381),"Webelieveinonebaptismfor
theforgivenessofsins."o Aswell,Tertullianin203ADstates,“Withoutbaptism,salvationisattainablebynone.”o TheCatechismoftheCatholicChurchstates:"TheLordhimselfaffirmsthatbaptismisnecessaryfor
salvation[John3:5]....BaptismisnecessaryforsalvationforthosetowhomtheGospelhasbeenproclaimedandwhohavehadthepossibilityofaskingforthissacrament[Mark16:16]"(CCC1257).
o Therefore,baptismisnecessaryforsalvation.• However,GodisalsonotboundbytheSacraments.InotherwordsHecanchoosetobestowgracesofsalvation
outsidethechannelsofgraceHehimselfestablished(theSacraments).(CCC1257)• TraditionoftheChurchhasrecognizedthepossibilityofsalvationforsomewhohavediedwithoutreceivingthe
actualsacramentofbaptism:o BaptismofDesire(CCC1259-1260)
§ Thosewhoarepreparingtoreceivethesacramentofbaptism,butdiebeforereceivingit(assumingconversionandresentenceofsin.)
§ Thosewho,throughnofaultoftheirown,donotknowChristcanbesavediftheyseekthetruthanddothewillofGodinaccordanceofhisunderstandingofit.TheydidnotknowJesusorhisGospel,butwouldhaveexplicitlydesiredbaptismhadtheyknownofit(CCC1281).
o BaptismofBlood(CCC1258)§ WhenanunbaptizedpersonsuffersdeathforChrist(martyrdom).§ ThiswascommonintheearlyChurchwhenmanyweremartyredbeforebaptism(sincethe
periodofpreparationwassolong).o Children/Babieswhohavediedwithoutbaptism(CCC1261)
§ Infantsandunbornchildrenwhodiebeforebaptismare‘entrustedtothemercyofGod’whodesiresthatalltobesaved.Wecanreasonablyhopefortheirsalvation.
B.TheNecessityandEffectsofBaptism–DifferencesAmongChristians
• NotallChristiansbelievethatbaptismhasthesameeffects.• Catholics(andsomeotherChristiandenominations)believe:
o thatbaptismitselfbringssalvation.o thatbaptismisnecessaryforsalvation(seeabovesection)o thatbaptismwashesawayoriginalsin.
§ Aswell,thesalvationcomespreciselybecausebaptismwashesawayoriginalsin,whichseparatesusfromGod.
• OtherNon-CatholicChristiansbelieve:o thatbaptismdoesnothaveanyrealeffect–itisonlyasymbol.o Faithiswhatactuallysaves.Baptismismerelyasymbolicpublicprofessionofthatfaith.
• Differencesinbeliefleadtodifferencesinpractice.
14
o Christiansdonotagreeontheeffectsandtherefore,thenecessity,ofbaptism.Thisleadstodifferenceinpractice,mainlywhetherornottobaptizeinfantsorwaituntilapersonisolder.Therefore,wewillconsiderthefollowingquestions.
C.DoesFaithorBaptismSaveaPerson?
• TheChurchhasalwaystaughtthatBaptismsavesapersonforthefollowingreasons:o First,baptismrequiresfaith.
§ Itisnotaneither/orquestion.Baptismimpliesandnecessitatesfaith.Onecannotreceivebaptismwithoutprofessingfaith.Itisanecessaryandessentialpartofthesacrament.PartofthebaptismalriteinvolvesaskingthepersoniftheybelieveinGod(Father,SonandHS)andrejectSatan.
§ Thismeansthatfaithprecedesthesacramentofbaptism–inotherwords,apersonmusthavefaithbeforetheyarebaptized.
• Somenon-CatholicChristiansclaimthatthismeansthatfaithsavesthepersonbecauseitcomesfirst.
• However,ifthisweretrue–iffaithalonesavesaperson–whydoesJesusandtheChurchcommandbaptismstill?Inotherwords,ifthepersonwassavedsimplythroughfaith,whyineveryinstanceinScripturedotheystillbaptizepeople?
o Oneexample:“Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChristfortheforgivenessofyoursins;andyoushallreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit"(Acts2:38)
o Non-CatholicChristiansclaimtheystillbaptizepeople(eventhoughtheyarealreadysavedthroughfaith)becausetheyarebeingobedienttoChrist(becauseChristtoldustobaptizepeople).
o Thereisanelementoftruthtothis–wecertainlywanttobeobedienttoChristinallthings.However,itbegsaquestion–whydoesJesuscommandbaptismifitisnotnecessaryforsalvation?Aswell,itignoresJesus’ownteachinginJohn3inwhichhesaysbaptismisnecessaryforsalvation.
o Second,Scripturemakesitclearbaptismitselfiswhatsaves.§ Acts22:16-"Riseandbebaptized,andwashawayyoursins,callingonhisname"§ 1Peter3:20-21–“GodpatientlywaitedinthedaysofNoahduringthebuildingoftheark,in
whichafewpersons,eightinall,weresavedthroughwater.21Thisprefiguredbaptism,whichsavesyounow.ItisnotaremovalofdirtfromthebodybutanappealtoGodforaclearconscience,throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist.”
• Itisthewaterofbaptismthatsavesus.§ Romans6:3-5-“OrareyouunawarethatwewhowerebaptizedintoChristJesuswere
baptizedintohisdeath?4Wewereindeedburiedwithhimthroughbaptismintodeath,sothat,justasChristwasraisedfromthedeadbythegloryoftheFather,wetoomightliveinnewnessoflife.5Forifwehavegrownintounionwithhimthroughadeathlikehis,weshallalsobeunitedwithhimintheresurrection.”
• HereisSt.PaulmakesthatbaptismisnecessarybecauseofitsconnectionwiththeCrossofChrist–itisthroughbaptismthatwe‘die’onthecrosswithChrist.Thisispreciselywhyitisnecessary.Baptismishowtheoldmanisputtodeathonthecrosssothatwemayrisetonewlife.
§ Colossians2:11-12–“Inhimyouwerealsocircumcisedwithacircumcisionnotadministeredbyhand,bystrippingoffthecarnalbody,withthecircumcisionofChrist.12Youwereburiedwithhiminbaptism,inwhichyouwerealsoraisedwithhimthroughfaithinthepowerofGod,whoraisedhimfromthedead.”
• Verse12makesthesamepointthatismadeinRomans6above.• Aswell,baptismisthenewcircumcisionoftheNewCovenant.
o EveryIsraelitemalehadtobecircumcisedonthe8thdayaftertheirbirth.ThisiswhatbroughtthemintothecovenantwithGodandmakethempartofhispeople.(Genesis17)
15
o “IntheOldTestament,ifamanwantedtobecomeaJew,hehadtobelieveintheGodofIsraelandbecircumcised.IntheNewTestament,ifonewantstobecomeaChristian,onemustbelieveinGodandJesusandbebaptized.IntheOldTestament,thosebornintoJewishhouseholdscouldbecircumcisedinanticipationoftheJewishfaithinwhichtheywouldberaised.ThusintheNewTestament,thoseborninChristianhouseholdscanbebaptizedinanticipationoftheChristianfaithinwhichtheywillberaised.”(CatholicAnswers)
o Babieswerenotcircumcisedbytheirownpersonaldecisionbutbytheirparent’sdecision.However,justasinbaptism,eachpersonastheygrewhadtodecidepersonallywhetherhewouldbefaithfultothecovenant.
D.ShouldweBaptizeInfants?• Manynon-CatholicChristiansanswer,‘no’–weshouldnotbaptizeinfants.Theyusuallysoforthefollowing
reasons:o First(andprimary),baptismshouldbeafreechoicebythepersonthemselves,sincewithbaptismthey
areacceptingJesusastheirLordandSavior.Peopleshouldonlymakethischoicewhentheyareoldenoughtounderstandwhattheyaredoing.
§ Mixedinwiththisisthe‘oncesaved,alwayssaved’belief,whichstatesthatwhenapersonprofessesJesusastheirLordandSaviortheywillbesavednomatterwhat.Therefore,ifsomeoneelsebaptizesaninfant,itbringssalvationtotheinfantwithouthis/heractualconsent.
§ Thisargumentwewilldealwithbelow.o Second,(aswealreadystatedabove),baptismisonlysymbolic(andnotefficacious);itisfaithinJesus
Christthatsavesaperson,notbaptism.Theyarguethatfaithalwaysprecedesbaptism(peoplehavefaithandthenarebaptized).Therefore,itisfaithinJesusthatbringssalvation,nottheactofbaptism.OneChristianpastorwrites,“Thereisnograceimpartedinthephysicalactofbaptism,apartfromthefaithoftheonebeingbaptized.”
§ ThisaspectoftheargumentwehavealreadydealtwithinsectionC• ReasonswebaptizeInfants
o Jesusdidnotrestrictsalvationtoonlyadults§ "Nowtheywerebringingeveninfantstohimthathemighttouchthem;andwhenthedisciples
sawit,theyrebukedthem.ButJesuscalledthemtohim,saying,‘Letthechildrencometome,anddonothinderthem;fortosuchbelongsthekingdomofGod’"(Luke18:15–16).
• TheGreekwordbrephameans"infants"—childrenwhoarequiteunabletoapproachChristontheirownandwhocouldnotpossiblymakeaconsciousdecisionto"acceptJesusastheirpersonalLordandSavior."
o HistoricalPrecedence-IthasbeendoneallthroughoutChurchHistory,includingthefirstcenturiesoftheChurch.
§ InmanyinstancesinActsoftheApostles,wereadthe‘wholehouseholds’werebaptized.Thoughitdoesnotexplicitlymentionsinfantsbeingpresent,itwouldbefairtoassumetheirweresomechildreninatleastsomeofthesehouseholds.
§ HasbeenpracticedsincetheearlyChurch(2ndcentury),andhasgrownmoreasthecommoncustomthroughtheyears.
§ CCC1252–“ThepracticeofinfantBaptismisanimmemorialtraditionoftheChurch.Thereisexplicittestimonytothispracticefromthesecondcenturyon,anditisquitepossiblethat,fromthebeginningoftheapostolicpreaching,whenwhole"households"receivedbaptism,infantsmayalsohavebeenbaptized.”
§ ChurchFathers:• Origin:"accordingtotheusageoftheChurch,baptismisgiveneventoinfants"(Holilies
onLeviticus,8:3:11[A.D.244]).• St.Augustine:"ThecustomofMotherChurchinbaptizinginfantsiscertainlynottobe
scorned...norisittobebelievedthatitstraditionisanythingexceptapostolic"(LiteralInterpretationofGenesis10:23:39[A.D.408])
• CouncilofCarthagein253A.D.condemnedtheopinionthatbaptismshouldbewithheldfrominfantsuntiltheeighthdayafterbirth
16
• Aswell,Seep.41inyourbookforquotesfromSt.Irenaeusin180A.D.andSt.Hippolytusin215A.D.
o Sincebaptismbringssalvation(andisnecessaryforit)andwashesawayoriginalsinwhywouldwepostponeit?
§ CCC1250-“TheChurchandtheparentswoulddenyachildthepricelessgraceofbecomingachildofGodweretheynottoconferbaptismshortlyafterbirth.”
§ Aswell,itbringsupanotherquestionthatnon-CatholicChristianshaveadifficulttimeanswering–whathappensthentoachildorbabywhodoesdiebeforebaptism?
o Parentsmakemanydecisionsfortheirchildren–whywouldtheynotmakethemostimportantoneaswell?
§ CCC1251–“ChristianparentswillrecognizethatthispracticealsoaccordswiththeirroleasnurturersofthelifethatGodhasentrustedtothem.”
§ Whenweareyoung,everydecisionconcerningourwell-beingismadebysomeoneelse.Parentsmakemanyimportantdecisionsfortheirchildren–whatandwhentofeedthem;howandwheretoeducatethem;wheretolive;medicalcare,etc.Thismustbeeventruerforthegivingofthefaith–themostimportantgiftandtreasureonecanhave.
o Baptismbringssalvation,butitdoesnottakeawaythechoiceofthepersontowardsthefaithnorguaranteetheireventualsalvation.
§ Justasinotherthingsoflife,aswegetolder,theresponsibilityofmakingourowndecisionsfallsmoreandmoretous.
• Ex:Ourparentsteachustoeathealthy,buteventuallywearetheoneswhodecidewhatwearegoingtoeatandifwearegoingtodowhatourparentstaughtus.
• Thesameistruewithourfaith.Ourparentsteachittous,butitbecomesourresponsibilitytoliveitout.
• Noonetellsparentstheyshouldnotteachtheirchildrentoeathealthybecauseonedaytheymaynotdoso.Thesameistruewiththefaith.
§ Inbaptism,theseedoffaithinplantedinthechild.Thisseedneedswaterandsunlighttogrowandflourish.This“waterandsunlight”istheeducationofthefaithandtheloveoftheirparentsastheygrow.Parentsareresponsibleforhelpingthisseedplantedatbaptismtogrowandmatureastheyearsgoon.
§ However,atsomepoint,thecareofthatseedbecomestheresponsibilityoftheoneinwhomitisplanted.EachpersonwillhavetheresponsibilityforpersonallynurturingandcultivatingthegiftoftheFaiththeyhavereceivedasaninfant.Thisistrueabouteverydecisionthatapersonmustmake–nutrition,education,etc.EachpersonmustpersonallychoosetobeafollowerofChrist.
§ Wedonotbelievein‘oncesaved,alwayssaved’.Wedoreceivethegiftofsalvationfreely–notbecauseweearnedordeserveit.However,atanypointandtimewecanrejectandrenouncethatgift.
