What is Baptism?

Baptism is the normal way we join the Body of Christ and receive salvation. It is important to note that “God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by his sacraments.” (1) Baptism removes all forms of sin and through it we are given a new birth in the Holy Spirit. (2)

Baptism is a necessary part of salvation. It saves us. Jesus very plainly told us to baptize and to do so in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (3) Then the apostles commanded us to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (4) When Nicodemus was questioning Jesus, He told him that he had to be born of water and spirit to go to Heaven. (5)

Baptism is the door to the other sacraments and is the beginning of all Christian life. (6) Baptism takes us from children of our parents and makes us the children of God. (7) Through Baptism we are given an indelible mark on our soul (8) that permanently marks us as His.

Citations: (1) ccc 1257, (2) Titus 3:5, (3) Matthew 28:19, (4) Acts 2:38, (5) John 3:5, (6) ccc 1213, (7) Galatians 4:5-7, (8) ccc 1280