(1263) By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as
well as all punishment for sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that
would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam’s sin, nor personal
sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God. (Page
353)
First of all, sin is sin is sin. There is no such thing as different degrees of sin as
far as guilt is concerned.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in ONE point,
HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.
There is only one requirement for baptism, that is, you must be saved; you must be born
again; you must believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Belief (trusting
faith/salvation) always comes first. The teaching here is of water baptism and I will
prove that a little later when we discuss infant baptism. The requirement for baptism is
belief!
Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip
said, If thou BELIEVEST with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It is those that BELIEVE that are saved, and those that are damned are the ones who do
not believe. Baptism only comes after believing. Baptism is not the element missing for
those that go to Hell, rather the element missing is belief.
Mark 16:16 He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved; but he that BELIEVETH
NOT shall be damned.
Notice, it did not say, “but he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be
damned.” It is unbelief that condemns people to Hell. They choose not to believe
God’s Word, and trust in the deceitful words of men.
(1257) The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.
He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism
is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who
have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any
means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she
takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who
can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation
to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. (Page
352)
Multitudes of Scripture are clear; salvation comes from putting your trust in Christ.
The Lord teaches the difference between a natural birth which one passes through the water
sack, and the saving birth, the birth of the Spirit.
John 3:4-7 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb (natural birth), and be born? Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water (natural birth) and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh
(natural) is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit (spiritual) is spirit. Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Baptism is a picture of the Gospel. It is commanded of the Lord, only for those who are
saved. It is the first step in obedience once someone is saved. One is baptized because
they are saved not to get saved. When one is baptized, he is making a public profession of
his faith in Christ. I preach in the nursing home, and I have seen those that have trusted
the Lord who are not physically able to be baptized. As a matter of fact, the thief that
hung on the cross could not be baptized, yet he put his trust in the Lord and was saved.
(1265) Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the
neophyte “a new creature,” an adopted son of God, who has become a
“partaker of the divine nature,” member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a
temple of the Holy Spirit. (Page 354)
One becomes an heir of salvation and is indwelled by the Holy Spirit after he believes,
not after he is baptized. Read what God’s Word has to say.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom (Jesus) ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER THAT YE
BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his
glory.
It says, “after that ye believed,” not, “after that ye believed and was
baptized.” My friend, the Holy Spirit only indwells the saved. There is no other way
that you can interpret this verse. It is very clear.
(1267) Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: “Therefore . . . we
are members one of another.” Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the
baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all
the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: “For by one
Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (Page 354)
I agree that all true believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of
Christ. However, when the Catholic Church speaks of baptism they are referring to water
baptism by sprinkling. Paul had some things to say about baptism. He said that God
didn’t call him to baptize, rather to preach the Gospel. If baptism is necessary for
salvation, why wouldn’t Paul emphasize baptism?
1 Corinthians 1:14-17 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus
and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also
the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
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