Baptism and Christian initiation
Catholic teaching calls baptism the foundation of Christian life: it frees from sin, gives new birth, and incorporates a person into Christ and the Church. Infants are baptized, while catechesis and growth in faith continue afterward; Confirmation and Eucharist are the other sacraments of initiation.
Historical context
The New Testament joins baptism to repentance, faith, incorporation into Christ, and the gift of the Spirit. Later churches differ over infant baptism, its relation to regeneration, and the sequence of initiation rites.
Key points
- Baptism is the gateway to the other sacraments.
- The Catechism also discusses baptism of blood and desire; do not reduce its account of salvation to a mechanical rule.
Scripture
- Matthew 28:19-20 — The risen Christ commands baptism in the triune name and teaching his disciples.
- Acts 2:38-42 — Peter calls for repentance and baptism; the baptized enter the community's teaching, fellowship, and prayers.
- Romans 6:3-4 — Paul describes baptism into Christ's death and new life.
- Galatians 3:26-28 — Paul links baptism into Christ with belonging to him.
Primary sources
Justin Martyr reports:
Justin's second-century account explicitly calls the washing with water regeneration; it is historical evidence, not by itself a complete later Catholic definition.
Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.
Passage context and translation
Justin is describing the baptism of people who have accepted Christian instruction and joined the community's prayer and fasting. His account also names the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the washing; this passage alone does not answer later debates about infant baptism.
Before the excerpt
As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true ... are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting
After the excerpt
For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water.