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“The Sacrament of Baptism”
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments. It was set up by Jesus and has a solid scriptural
premise. The Gospels stated that Jesus was absolved by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
Jesus displayed the gathering of sanctification, Jesus saw the profound worth of sanctification for
him and showed that the people who have believed in him should also be baptized. Baptism is
not the end rather is the start of a lifetime commitment to the Lord. It has the keys to learning
more about the spiritual existence of how we can practice and exercise our spiritual beliefs and to
better understand the different viewpoints of being a Christian. Jesus initiated the sacrament of
baptism when he authorized his disciples before his ascension. He guides them “Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit” in Matthew 28:19. Being baptized or being a Christian is so much more.
Being a Christian is not only being prayerful but also being a good and kind person with
overflowing compassion. Baptism is also a symbolic portrayal of being purified by God; It is
additionally an appearance of acknowledgment that God is their savior. Regardless, others
consider absolution as emblematic yet reject the salvation of Christianity. Baptism held a
particularly significant spot in the otherworldly existence of the early church that John the
evangelist wove baptismal symbolism into the experience among Jesus and Peter at the sea of
Tiberias. At that point when Peter saw Jesus wrapped up his garment and jumped into the sea,
which represents the waters of baptism, and when Peter said that he loved Jesus he made a
profession of faith, which is equivalent to baptismal promises.
The early fathers of the church put themselves out there remarked that baptism is the most
astounding gift of God that has given to us. They referred to it as a thoughtful endowment of the
Lord. It is the way to purify the bread and water, the bread represents the body of Christ when he
died at the cross, and the water represents the blood of Christ which was spilled for our sins.
Believers and non-Believers alike question baptism, often because of our innate nature of being
inquisitive and on occasion, because of their disbelief in the faith. A prominent query about it is
its importance and if it really matters. These, of course, are valid doubts and questions, but these
are questions that have been addressed by the Church or by the Bible itself. We know that
baptism is significant in a Christian’s life because Jesus instructs His followers to share the
Gospel and “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit...”1 Baptism is not only important because of Jesus’ instruction in the
Bible, but also because it signifies the cleansing of our original sin that we inherited from Adam
and Eve and it is our identification that we are part of the body of Christ, or the Church.
Despite extensive efforts to explain the Gospel, misconceptions will never fail to exist in
religion. Catholicism is not excluded from this sentiment. Particularly in baptism, the fallacy of
the baptized individual ceases to commit sins and wrongdoings arises due to a poor
understanding of the Word of God and the sacraments. Baptism does not prevent us from sinning
but instead, it erases our original sin. Baptism is not a magic spell that would simply make all our
sins or eliminate our sinful nature. This does not mean we are forever free from sin as human
beings are naturally sinful, but it is only through the unceasing forgiveness of God that we
continue to evade eternal damnation in the depths of Hell. It is also a metaphor for Jesus Christ’s
death, burial, and resurrection, as standing in the water signifies the crucifixion of Christ, the
immersion is His burial, and being lifted out of the water symbolizes His resurrection. We are the
same with Him as we are with new life with Him as new parts of His union, being raised from
the waters that we “ should walk in newness of life.” 2
Another misconception is that children or even newborns must be baptized. Although sinfulness
is inherent to mankind, the Bible has said that children are free from sin as they do not know
right from wrong and must be taught to be knowledgeable of morality. Since baptism’s purpose
is to erase old sin, what sin should be washed away from children? Jesus once even went to the
extent to tell His listeners to be like the children for they are innocent of sin.3 Although, this
practice should not be condemned for it can be seen in another way other than salvation. The
baptism of children is a practice that welcomes them into the church just as Jesus was with the
little children who wished to meet Him. This warm welcome to the Christian world (no pun
1
Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
2
Romans 6:4 (KJV)
3
Mark 10:13-16 (KJV)
intended) encourages children to be a part of the church at a young age that they may be brought
up in the teachings of the Word of God, which will lead them to accept the Sacraments in the
future and be baptized again at an older age once they understand the weight of our sins and our
need for salvation.
Notwithstanding the significance of baptism as a cleansing of our sins, it is also important for
Christians that we get baptized for it is a profession of our faith in Jesus Christ and our entrance
to the Church and community of Christians. It is our oneness with God and His Son, Jesus
Christ. It signifies our new life in salvation, the forgiveness of our sins, and the greatest act in
mankind, the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary to save our souls from eternal damnation
in Hell.

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“The Sacrament of Baptism”

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