Below the audio recording is a handout.
Listen online [here]!
Adult Ed, Sessions
on the Sacraments, part 2 – Baptism and Confirmation
Baptism in Scripture:
The Spirit moved over the waters (Gen 1:2)
The Flood brought an end to evil and a new beginning of
goodness (Gen 6:1ff)
Moses led the people through the waters of the Red Sea (Ex
14:1ff)
Joshua led God’s people through the water of the river
Jordan into the promised land (Jos 3:1ff)
John foretells the baptism of Jesus as being of “water and
the Spirit” (Mt 3:11)
Jesus states that it is necessary to be “born of the Spirit”
(Jn 3:5-7)
Jesus and his disciples baptized in the beginning of his
ministry (Jn 3:22; 4:1-2)
Jesus commands his disciples to baptize all peoples (Mk
16:15-16)
Jesus commands that the disciples baptize all in “the Name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19)
From the first public preaching of the Church, there has
been baptism – as testified by St Peter on
Pentecost (Acts 2:38-39)
The Sacrament of
Baptism:
Minister: Anyone (even a non-baptized who intends to do what
the Church does)
Recipient: Any non-baptized person (you can only be baptized
once)
Matter: Flowing water (must be true water)
Form: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit”
Effects: removal of all sin (original and actual), indelible
mark or sacramental character, entry into the Church, adopted as a child of
God, temple of the Holy Spirit, the seven gifts and all the infused gifts,
heaven is opened.
Is baptism truly
necessary?
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and
the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:5)
Confirmation:
Instituted at Pentecost – balsam (tongues) and olive oil (of
fire).
Necessary – in the way a boat is needed to get to Italy
Growth to adulthood – made able to spread and defend the
true faith, a soldier of Christ
