Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church believes that baptism washes away original sin, and that it is necessary for salvation. This belief is based on the doctrine of original sin, which states that humans are born with a fallen nature, tainted by original sin, and separated from God as a result of Adam's sin. To be joined with God, one must be “born again” through baptism. While there is no explicit Bible verse that states baptize infants, the Church's teaching on infant baptism is based on its interpretation of original sin and the sacrament of baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church holds that infant baptism is an immemorial tradition, practised from the earliest days of the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic belief in the power of baptism | That baptism washes away original sin and personal sins, and is the first step in a lifelong journey of faith |
| Biblical basis for belief | Psalm 51; Romans 6:1-22; Ephesians 6:11-17; John 3:5; Genesis 3; Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38, 16:15, 33, 18:8, 2:27, 2:38; 1 Corinthians 1:16; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:3; 1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26; Acts 22:16 |
| Biblical support for infant baptism | The Catholic Church teaches that infant baptism cleanses the infant of original sin, but some disagree as there is no Bible verse that says "baptise infants" |
| Other beliefs about baptism | That it is a rebirth, a transformation from death to life, and a union with Christ; that it is not just about washing away original sin, but about God's plan for us; that it is not a physical removal of sin but a spiritual one |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's belief in baptism for remission of original sin
The Catholic Church holds that baptism is for the remission of sins, including original sin in the case of infants and original sin as well as actual sin in the case of adults. This belief is based on the concept of regeneration or being "born again", which refers to the transformation from a state of sin to a state of grace and a new life in Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that children are born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin. Therefore, they need to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the freedom of God's children through Baptism. This is known as the "new birth" in Baptism, which is considered an immemorial tradition practised since the early days of the Church. While there is no explicit biblical connection between original sin and baptism, the Catholic Church interprets certain Scripture passages as supporting this belief.
One such passage is Romans 5:12-21, where Saint Paul makes a connection between Original Sin and Adam, stating that "in Adam all have sinned". This is paralleled by the doctrine of justification that "in Christ all are righteous". Another relevant Scripture passage is Ephesians 2:3, which reflects the Catholic teaching on original sin: "Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of the body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Baptism is seen as a spiritual act that washes away original sin and restores our ability to access holiness and justice. It is not merely a physical removal of sin but a symbolic representation of our union with Christ and our journey towards salvation. This is reflected in the blessing of baptismal water, which asks that those being baptised "may be cleansed from sin" and "rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit."
While baptism is considered a necessary step for salvation, it is not sufficient on its own. Individuals still need to nurture their spiritual growth and resist the tendency towards sin throughout their lives.
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The biblical basis for the belief
The Catholic Church believes that baptism is for the remission of sins, both original and actual. Original sin is the sin that caused the current human condition when Adam and Eve chose to ignore God's request not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Goodness and Evil (Genesis 3). This is when death entered the world, and since then, humans have been born deprived of original holiness and justice.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that children, born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, need the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the freedom of God's children (CCC 1250). This is supported by Ephesians 2:3, which says, "Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of the body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Baptism is closely related to regeneration or being 'Born again', which is the transformation from death to life that occurs in our souls when we first come to God and are justified. This is reflected in Psalm 51: "Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me." Through baptism, we are washed clean of our sins, breaking the power of sin over us, and are given a new nature. Jesus taught about this transformation through the baptism of water and the Spirit in John 3:5.
Additionally, St. Peter tells us that "Baptism [...] saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21). St. Paul also refers to baptism as "the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5) and "a cleansing by the washing of water with the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
The blessing prayer during baptism turns to the great flood recorded in Genesis 6-8, which symbolises an "end of sin" and a "new beginning of goodness." This is further reflected in the story of God freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 14:15-15:1). God parts the waters so that the Israelites can gain salvation by marching through the sea, and when Pharaoh's troops follow, God sends the waters crashing back upon them. This symbolises God's people being set free from sin.
While there is no explicit Bible verse that says, "Baptize infants", the Church's teaching on infant baptism flows from its teachings on original sin and the sacrament of baptism. Infant baptism is considered an "immemorial tradition", practised from the earliest days of the Church, with explicit testimony from the second century onwards.
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Baptism as a symbol of rebirth
Baptism is a symbol of rebirth and a person's union with Christ. The Catholic Church teaches that baptism washes away original sin, and in the case of adults, all personal sins. This is based on the belief that humans are born with a fallen nature, tainted by original sin, and need to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that children are in need of "the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God".
The Bible also supports this idea of rebirth through baptism. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). He continues in verse 5, saying, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God". Being born of water and the Spirit is interpreted as being baptised, and it is seen as a necessary condition for entering the kingdom of God. This is further supported by St. Peter, who said, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Baptism is also associated with regeneration or being "born again". It signifies the transformation from a state of sin to a state of grace, from death to life, and from darkness to light. This transformation is described in Psalm 51:5, which acknowledges being guilty of sin from birth but also expresses a desire to be cleansed and forgiven.
While baptism is considered to wash away original sin, it is important to note that it does not remove the tendency towards sin. Instead, it restores one's ability to access holiness and justice, and it is the first step in a lifelong journey of faith.
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Baptism as a path to salvation
Baptism is a Catholic sacrament that washes away original sin and, in the case of adults, all personal sins. It is a path to salvation as it restores our ability to have access to holiness and justice. It is a rebirth, a transformation from death to life, that occurs in our souls when we first come to God and are justified.
The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins, both original and actual. Original sin is the sin that caused our current human condition when Adam and Eve chose to ignore God’s request not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Goodness and Evil (Genesis 3). This is when death entered the world. Before that, Adam and Eve were in Communion with God, enjoying original holiness and justice. Since then, human beings are born deprived of this original holiness and justice.
The Bible tells us that the flesh is of no avail because of the consequences of original sin. That is why Jesus says we have to be born again. The first birth is of the flesh, but we need something more in order to have life. The Bible tells us that everyone must be born of the Spirit in order to have eternal life; it is the Spirit that gives life, not the flesh. And how do we receive the Spirit? The Bible tells us that we receive the Spirit by being born again—by being baptised with water and the Spirit.
Baptism is closely related to regeneration or being 'Born again'. This is the transformation from death to life that occurs in our souls when we first come to God and are justified. He washes us clean of our sins (original and actual) as Psalm 51 points out:
> Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.
Baptism gives us a new nature, breaking the power of sin over us, so that we will no longer be its slaves but its enemies who must fight it as part of the Christian life. Jesus taught of this transformation through baptism of water and Spirit in John 3:5. In the water-and-Spirit rebirth that takes place at baptism, we are transformed from a state of sin to the state of grace.
Baptism is not merely about washing away Original Sin. It immerses us into the very history of salvation, into the marvellous plan of God for us.
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Infant baptism
The Catholic Church has always understood baptism as a sacrament that accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants and young children, as they are incapable of actual sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church holds that infant baptism is "an immemorial tradition", practised from the earliest days of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century onwards, and it is possible that infants were baptised from the beginning of apostolic preaching when whole "households" received baptism.
Supporters of infant baptism cite biblical references to the baptism of entire households in the New Testament, as well as Jesus' teachings on welcoming children. They also argue that baptism replaces the practice of circumcision, which was performed on infants according to the Mosaic Covenant. Additionally, the witness of the earliest Christian practices and writings supports the Catholic Church's teaching on infant baptism. Origen, for instance, wrote in the third century that "according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given even to infants". The Council of Carthage in 253 condemned the opinion that baptism should be withheld from infants until the eighth day after birth.
However, critics of infant baptism argue that it is inappropriate for infants or young children who have not reached the age of reason, as baptism should be administered only after one has undergone a "born again" experience and accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour. Some also believe that baptising an infant without their consent takes away their free choice.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is recommended within the first few weeks of birth or without delay if the infant is in danger of death, with parents responsible for arranging the sacrament. The Eastern Orthodox Church baptises infants soon after birth, granting full sacramental participation, including Communion, to affirm their spiritual dignity and incorporation into the church.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church believes that baptism washes away original sin, and in the case of adults, all personal sins.
There is no explicit Bible verse that says "baptism washes away original sin", but there are several verses that are used to support this belief. One example is Acts 2:38, where Peter says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Another example is Romans 6, where Paul teaches that "they go down into the water dead, and they come up alive".
Baptism is a sacrament that signifies a person's union with Christ and their initiation into the Catholic Church. It is also seen as a symbol of rebirth and a new beginning, representing the transformation from death to life and the washing away of sins.
The process of baptism in the Catholic Church typically involves the blessing of baptismal water, followed by the baptismal rite, which includes prayers, readings, and the pouring of water over the person being baptized. The sacrament of baptism is usually administered by a priest or deacon and is often performed during a Mass.
