Christian Baptism Research Paper

The Catholic Church’s teaching on Baptism has since its earliest days been that it is an integral sacrament of initiation, and the means by which Jesus conveys his gift of Salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church declares that, “The baptized have “put on Christ”. Through the Holy Spirit, Baptism is a bath that purifies, justifies, and sanctifies” (CCC, #1227).” This teaching that Baptism engulfs the believer with the love and the sacrifice of Christ, stems directly from the Apostles. In Romans 6:3-4, the Apostle Paul writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory …show more content…
In addition to bestowing forgiveness of sins, Baptism gives a person the ability to enter a righteous relationship with the Lord. This restoration of relationship is accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which both differentiates and makes it superior to the baptism of John the Baptist. Unlike the case of Adam and Eve, who lost their likeness to God through Original Sin, the restorative indwelling of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism cannot be lost, although personal sins can weaken its influence in one’s life. St. Cyril teaches that the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit manifests itself differently in people’s lives, but always for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on Earth. The Holy Spirit leads some to become teachers, others to martyrdom, others still to monasticism. The Spirit grants the believer power to live according to the new Covenant, and to leave behind his previous sinful habits, or concupiscence. By fostering the Holy Spirit in one’s life through prayer, Bible study and the other sacraments, the Holy Spirit in turn strengthens one’s self-control, and opens their eyes to have compassion for