catholicsphere

The following is in response to a letter sent to me by a friend who was having a discussion about Baptism with one of her friends. While I no longer have the original letter, the points addressed in this response should be clear enough to show the Biblical basis for Baptism - and that it is neither a “work” nor a “commandment of men”.

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From the outset of the letter, the writer already proves his/her misunderstanding of Catholic teaching, and of the Scriptural position, by citing Baptism as “a work.” This is an idea that is quite foreign to the Scriptures and to Catholicism. Further, the author, toward the end of his/her letter, uses the term, “salvation”, in a singular sense, whereas the Scriptures use this word in multiple tenses. These are the two major flaws in the author’s letter, and I will show how it is the author’s own interpretation - ergo, human wisdom - which provides the conflict between Scripture and Catholicism, and not any true contradiction.

Is Baptism a “work”?

The author states, in reference to Baptism and salvation: “The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift that works can never buy.” Indeed, the author is correct in stating that salvation is not by works. The idea that salvation is by works has been refuted by Catholicism for century upon century. However, the idea that Baptism is a “work” is absolutely absent from the texts of Scripture and the historical teachings on Christianity. The author seems to have put his own (or others’) bias’ and prejudices on the Scriptures, so as to refer to Baptism as something the Scriptures do not consider it to be. (We will address what Baptism is and does later in this response.)

One would have to wonder why it is that there are many baptisms performed in the New Testament if Baptism is a “work”, from which the Gospel tells us to turn. It would seem particularly interesting that Paul, who taught clearly that we are not to consider ourselves saved by works, would have himself baptized (cf. Acts 9:18), and would have baptized others (cf. 1 Cor 1:14), and would have preached about the many aspects of Baptism ( cf. Rom 6:3-12, 1 Cor 12:13, Gal 3:27, Col 2:12, Eph 4:5, Rom 8:13-17). And, we have not even mentioned the other writers who taught of Baptism. The main point to get from this, though, is that Baptism is not now, nor has it ever been considered “a work.” In fact, one should find such an idea almost blasphemous, considered what Jesus had to say on the topic.

Is Baptism a “commandment of men”?

Having shown that Baptism as a “work” is absent from the Scriptures, we now turn our attention to another statement contained within the letter, which is a quote from the Holy Scriptures. This passage seems quite inappropriately used merely to convey an idea the author would like us to believe, rather than the true meaning it is intended to convey. By using this passage in such a way, the author seems to put him/herself at risk of “twisting the Scriptures to his/her own destruction.” The passage is as follows: Christ warns us in Mark 7:6-9….”This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

From this, it would seem that we are to consider Baptism a “commandment of men” rather than a commandment of God. But, such an idea is also foreign to the Holy Scriptures; and, as such, to the teaching of Christ Jesus Himself.

Jesus’ command to the Apostles:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” [Mt 28:19]‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [Mk 16:16]

Jesus has commanded the Apostles to baptize; and notice, too, that Jesus says….”Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved….” Thus, we find importance placed on belief and on baptism; though it does not say that belief alone is sufficient for salvation; but, of course, Catholic teaching has never maintained that one is saved forever merely by being baptized.Jn 4:1 “The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John…” Jesus (or his disciples, rather [cf Jn 4:2]; but we find in Jn 3:22 that Jesus was baptizing as well.) was baptizing people.

In fact, Jesus Himself was baptized (cf. Mt 3:16, Mk 1:9, Lk 3:21).

So, it would seem that Baptism is not a commandment of men, because Christ Jesus commanded it, did it, and received it Himself. Thus, we can conclude that Baptism is necessary, as Christ Jesus would not have commanded or engaged in any frivilous acts. But, now, let us turn our attention to the effects of Baptism.

Baptism: What it does

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
[Rom 6:3-4]

So here, I believe, it is important to stop and see what we are being told. Baptism is not some ordinance that is devoid of meaning an substance. Nor is it merely a witness before men of our confession of Christ as Savior. On the contrary, Paul tells us that our baptism joined us to Christ’s death, so that we may “count [ourselves] dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” [Rom 6:11] Paul’s teaching in Romans 6:3-12 really tells us that we who have been baptized in Christ’s name have died to sin and are reborn into a new life, having now clothed ourself with Christ as Paul puts it in Galatians: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” [Gal 3:26-27]

This idea fits in perfectly with the words of Christ Jesus which tell us that we must be “born anew of water and the Spirit.” [Jn 3:3, 5]. If we have died with Christ, and we “live a new life”, is this not the same as being “born anew”?? By being “baptized into Christ’s death”, we have been joined to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, therefore having the merits won by Christ Jesus applied to us. In such a way have we “clothed ourself with Christ”. That is the importance of baptism, and that is why the Church teaches that she “does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude”. For, how could one receive salvation if their sins have not been nailed to the cross and they have not been joined to Christ Jesus??

In Acts 2:38, we find Peter telling the multitudes of people who have gathered:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.“

From this verse we can clearly see two aspects of baptism; the first being “forgiveness of sins” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 22:16 “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.“

>The message of “baptism for the forgiveness of sins” was echoed by the Council of Nicea (A.D. 381.)
Hermas, in “The Shepherd” (A.D. 80), writes:

“‘I have heard, sir,’ said I [to the Shepherd], ‘from some teacher, that there is no other repentance except that which took place when we went down into the water and obtained the remission of our former sins.’ He said to me, ‘You have heard rightly, for so it is’”.

Justin Martyr writing “First Apology” in A.D. 151:

“As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly . . . are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, ‘Except you be born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven‘ [John 3:5]“

Tertullian writes:

“Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life. . . . [But] a viper of the [Gnostic] Cainite heresy, lately conversant in this quarter, has carried away a great number with her most venomous doctrine, making it her first aim to destroy baptism–which is quite in accordance with nature, for vipers and asps . . . themselves generally do live in arid and waterless places. But we, little fishes after the example of our [Great] Fish, Jesus Christ, are born in water, nor have we safety in any other way than by permanently abiding in water. So that most monstrous creature, who had no right to teach even sound doctrine, knew full well how to kill the little fishes–by taking them away from the water!” (Baptism 1 [A.D. 203]).

and

“Without baptism, salvation is attainable by none“.

(For more on the thoughts of the Early Church Fathers with regard to this, see the tract “Necessity of Baptism” at http://www.catholic.com/library/necessity_of_baptism.asp)What these quotes aim to show is the early teaching of the Church with respect to Baptism are consistent with the interpretation I have offered (and has been put forth consistently by the Church).

I believe these things shown are sufficient to blast large holes in the interpretation of the author of the previous letter. I could write much more about Baptism (and many, many things have been written in the past, regarding it and the whole subject of salvation/justification/sanctification), but, I will stop here. The point that should be taken away is that the Catholic position is the Biblical and True position, no matter how other’s choose to “wrest” the Scriptures, the Catholic position will always be shown True.

The author also provided numerous quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). For the sake of time and space, I invite any and all to look at more closely and fully; including the paragraphs surrounding those quoted, which will give the reader a fuller explanation from both a Scriptural and historical perspective on the teaching of the Church (citations of both Scripture verses and Church documents are made right in the text itself as an aide to the reader). If the reader would like a better or fuller explanation of any part of the statements of the CCC on this issue, feel free to contact me.