Baptism

1. Baptism βάπτισμα

2. Etymological Definition • Greek Verb: βαπτιζω (baptizo), which means I dip, submerge, baptize. • Greek Noun: βαπτισμα (baptisma), which means the result of a dipping, submerging. • Βαπτιζέι (baptizei), to immerse, to plunge.

3. Definition • Foundation of sacramental life. • Gateway to Christian life in the Church. • First sacrament of Christian initiation. • One of the sacraments that gives a permanent mark to recipients.

4. OT Foundations • Religious traditions have initiation rites. • Humans desire spiritual purification. • Humans desire purification because they are not perfect. • Christian baptism is unique. • It stems from Christ’s command.

5. 2 Types of purification under Jewish law 1. Cleansing from legal impurity: • E.g. touching impure animals (Lev 11:1-46). • Sickness (Lev 13:1-45) • Sexual impurities (Lev 15:1-33). 2. Initiation purification • Non-Jews could be initiated through circumcision. • Later they had to be baptized (tebila).

6. OT Baptism Symbols/Passages • Primordial Waters on which God’s spirit hovered (Gn 1:2). • Waters of the flood (1 Pt 3:20-21, Gn 7). • Circumcision (Col 2:11-12). • Israelite passage across the sea (1 Col 10:2). • Moses striking of the rock in the desert (Tertullian, Num 20:1-11).). • Naaman’shealing from leprosy in the river Jordan (2 King 5:8-14).

7. OT Prophets on Baptism • Ezekiel 36:25-26, I shall pour clean water over you . . . • Isaiah 4:4, Washing away of the filth of the daughter of Zion. • Zechariah 13:1, A fountain for the house of David, and the citizens of Jerusalem, for sin and impurity.

8. New Testament Institution • Baptism of John (Mk 1:8) was not a sacrament. • It was a preparation for the Christian rite. • A bridge between OT and NT. Saint Thomas Aquinas • John’s baptism didn’t confer grace, but prepared the way for grace. • Led people to faith in Christ. • Preparing people for the Christian baptism. • For penance.

9. Christ’s Baptism by John • Baptized by John (Mk 1:9-11). • Applied the expression to his passion and death (Mk 10:38, Lk 12:50). • According to Church Fathers (e.g., St. Athanasius, St Ambrose, St Augustine, St Bede, etc.), Christ was baptized to sanctify the waters of baptism.

10. Three Instances of NT Institution 1. Christ would found a new and perfect baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire (KL 3:16). 2. Discourse with Nicodemus (Jn 3:5). 3. Christ’s missionary command “Go, therefore, make disciples . . .” (Mt 28:19). • Early church emphasized the importance of baptism. • St. Paul did the same (1 Cor 1:14ff; Rm 6:1-11).

11. Date of Institution: Opinions • St, Ambrose and others: When Christ was baptized by John. • St. Thomas Aquinas: • Institution: Jesus’ baptism by John. • Obligation of receiving it: After his passion and Resurrection.

12. 3. Peter Abelard and other Theologians: Discourse with Nicodemus. 4. St. Bonaventure, Blessed John Duns Scotus and others: • Sending of the apostles and disciples to baptize (Lk 9:1-6); 10:1-16; Jn 3:22-26). 5. Modern Theologians: When apostles were sent to the whole world to proclaim and baptize (Mt 28:19). 6. Paul Haffner: Gradual institution

13. Historical Development • The Didache (7:1-4, 100 AD): baptism by immersion and pouring of water on the head. • St. Hippolytus (215 AD), detailed explanation of preparation for baptism in Rome: • 2-3 years of catechumenate. • Pre-baptismal anointings. • Exorcism. • Baptism by immersion. • Post baptismal anointings.

14. Remote Matter (Acceptable) • Real and natural water. • Sea • Rivers • Wells • Springs • Fountains • Pools • Baths • Swamps • Lakes • Melted snow/ice • Mineral water • Sulphur water • Dew • Condensed vapors • etc

15. Important • Baptismal water may be chemically treated to kill bacteria. • It can also be warmed in cold weather for infant baptism. • In the case of necessity, e.g., Death, doubtfully valid material may need to be used. • The use should be conditional, (if this material be valid, Peter, I baptize . . . • Baptismal water should be blessed.

16. Remote Matter (Doubtfully valid) • Light tea • Light coffee • Thin broth • Light beer • Thin ink • Soapsuds water • Distilled water from flowers

17. Remote Matter (Invalid Material) • Wine • Thick beer • Thick coffee • Thick tea • Oil • Milk • Saliva • Thick soup • Gravy • Lard • Grease • Foam • Water mixed with another substance which predominates

18. Symbolism of water • Generation in natural Life: Regeneration into spiritual life. • Moistness: Cleansing. • Freshness: Cooling of the passions of sin. • Transparency: Illumination of faith. • Destruction of sin. • Life through the Holy Spirit.

19. Proximate Matter (Three Ways) • By immersion • By pouring • By sprinkling • St. Thomas Aquinas preferred immersion. • Early Church up to 15th c, preferred immersion. • Some denominations (Baptists) prefer total immersion. NB: Spraying is invalid. NB: Touching with moist finger is invalid.

20. The Form: Trinitarian • West (indicative voice) • ‘John, I baptize you . . .’ 2. East (Passive voice) • ‘The servant of God, John, is baptized . . .’ NB: The East tried to minimize the role of the minister.

21. The Form: Christological Expressions • In the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). • In the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8: 16). • In Jesus Christ (Rm 6:3). • In Christ (Gal 3:27). NB: Use was controversial.

22. Patristic Era and Middle Ages: Valid • St. Ambrose: Valid • Pope Pelagius I (559): Invalid • Pope Nicholas I (866): Valid • Peter Lombard and Hugh of St. Victor (medieval): Valid • Sts. Albert the Great, Bonaventure, and Thomas: Valid only for the duration of the Apostolic period. • St. Thomas: Valid exclusively during the apostolic period. • Council of Florence (1439): Trinitarian

23. The Form: Feminist Formula In the name of: • Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. • Creator, Liberator, and Sustainer. NB: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (2008) said: • The above are invalid. • Those baptized like that need to be baptized properly.

24. The Form: Elements • Minister: I baptize you . . . • The Recipient: Name should be specified. • The Unity of the Divine Essence: In the name of . . .

25. The Minister • Ordinary minister: Bishop, priest, deacon. • Extraordinary minister: Anyone Reasons • Necessity of baptism. • God’s universal salvific will. NB: Even a non-Christian can baptize provided she intends to do what the church does. NB: A regular extraordinary minister is allowed.

26. The Recipient • Not yet baptized. • Infants and adults. • Adults must give consent. Other types of Baptism • By desire (spiritual) • Martyrdom

27. History of Infant Baptism • Early Church (whole family baptized, Acts 10:44-48). • Tertullian wrote about it in the 2nd c. • Origen (250 AD) referred to the baptism of infants dating from the apostolic age. • Ancient Christian inscriptions support it. • Pope Innocent III (13th c) explained babies should be baptized. • Purpose: forgiveness of original sins.

28. Infant Baptism: Church Teaching • Parents have the duty to have children baptized early. • For infant baptism to be valid, at least 1 parent should give consent. • Child should be raised Catholic (promise). • Child in danger of death should be baptized immediately, even against the will of the parents. • Baptism can be administered conditionally.

29. Sponsors • 16 years old. • Catholics, confirmed, and receiving Holy Communion • Exemplary Christian life. • Not bound by any canonical penalty. • Well instructed on their duties.

30. Must help the parents to present the child for baptism. • Assisting in Christian initiation. • Help the baptized to conduct a coherent life. • Not more than two male or female sponsors. • Parents cannot be sponsors. • Baptized non-Catholics can only be admitted as witnesses together with a Catholic sponsor.

31. Celebration • Approved rite. • In church/oratory. • Ordinarily on Sunday or Easter Vigil. • Preferably by pouring/immersion. • New name not foreign to Christian mentality (note). • Not to be administered in private homes/hospitals unless necessary. • Must be registered in the parish. • If not registered, the recipient/witness may testify to its reception.

32. Effects of Baptism • Forgiveness of sins. • Personal sins. • Original sins. • Does not remove the consequence of sins, namely; • Suffering • Illness • Human fragility • Weakness of character • Concupiscence (proclivity to sin)

33. 2. Union with Christ • Relationship with the Church. • Configured to Christ as priest, prophet, and king. • Unification with Christ. • Belongs to the new creation.

34. 3. Gift of the Holy Spirit • We were baptized in the Spirit ( 1Col 12:13). • God is present in all people. • We are created in God’s own image. • Early Christians were baptized, and received the H/S (Acts 19:5-6). • A Christian is a Temple of the H/S (1 Col 6:19).

35. 4. Adopted Child of God the Father • We become children of God. • The spirit makes us children of God. • Everyone moved by the spirit is the son of God (Rm 8:14). • The spirit teaches us to cry Abba (Rm 8:15). • We are children and heirs (Rm 8:17). • We are adopted sons (Ep 1:5).

36. 5. Membership of the Church • We become members of the universal church. • Communion of faith. • Creates unity within the church. • The Church is interracial, international. • It involves conversion of culture. • All become members of the body of Christ.

37. Baptized Non-Catholics • Non-Catholic baptism not necessarily invalid. • The Bishops may decide which churches’ baptism is valid. • Agreement on matter, form, and ministerial intention. • Conditional baptism may apply when in doubt.

38. Gift and Response 1. People respond by faith and works (Jm 2:14-26). 2. Metanoia (μέτανοια). • Change of heart • Change of mind • Change of attitude

39. Necessity of Baptism 1. Pelagius argued that baptism was not necessary. • Humans by their own effort can achieve salvation. • Pelagius was refuted by the Council of Carthage (418). 2. Messalians and Manichaeans argued that baptism was optional. • They were refuted by the Council of Trent. • Calvin rejected the baptism of infants. • Luther’s doctrine of Faith Alone downplayed the importance of baptism.

40. Unbaptized Infants who die: 3 Approaches • Some theologians argued that No Salvation. 2. Natural salvation. 3. Supernatural way of salvation.

41. St Gregory of Nyssa: The destiny is a mystery. Don’t suffer eternal damnation. May be saved through the desire of parents. • St. Bonaventure: May be saved through the desire of the parents. • Hugh of St Victor: They can’t be saved. • Peter Abelard: There will be privation of beatific vison. • St Thomas Aquinas: Limbo - attainment of certain natural blessedness. • Limbo was upheld by Pope Pius VI. • John Duns Scotus: Illumination during the moment of death. • J. Galot: Suggests baptism by desire of the Church. • The Church desires these children to be saved by God. • NB. Limbo remains a possibility.