What is the sacrament of Baptism?[1a]

Baptism is the initial step and means for you to enter the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Catholic Church. You become a member of Christ and are incorporated into His Church.[1b]  Once you are baptized, you are now called a ‘Neophyte’. Baptism is a ’rebirth from natural life to supernatural life. This new life comes from “Sanctifying Grace,” and along with this God grants you the three theological gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity. Baptism, as the basis for Christian life, becomes the portal or the gateway providing access to all other sacraments. It frees you from the bondage of sin, removes original sin and provides you with rebirth as a child of God. 

Baptism entails sprinkling, pouring, or immersion in water along with using the form of the Trinitarian invocation, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”[2]  In Baptism, the elect (A person electing to be baptized) “puts on Christ”. In so doing they become “born again” as newly created[3]; as such they are born into a life with Christ.  

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.[4]        (Galatians 3:27)

Note on Galatians 3:27: this scripture scripture verse does not say christened or dedicated but baptized!

This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out and the physical sign of water which is used in the Rite. To baptize (Greek baptizein or baptisma βάπτισμα) means to “plunge” or “immerse.” The “plunge” into the water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which the catechumen rises up by resurrection with him, as “a new creature.”                       CCC 1214

_____________________

[1a]  This Faith Series #1 - The Beginning; Lesson 10 'The Sacrament of Batism - ver 2025.06.25a  Author: Marcus J. Tamayo

[1b]  CCC 1213 – Holy Baptism is the basis of the Christian life….

[2] Matthew 28:19-20

[3] CCC 1265

[4] [3:27] Clothed yourselves with Christ: literally, “have put on Christ”; cf. Rom 13:14;Eph 4:24;Col 3:10. These words are Baptismal imagery, traceable to the Old Testament (Jb 29:14; Is 59:17). We put on the nature or characteristic of that whom we wish to follow and believe in. In its ancient forms it was an initiation into a new life and a new way of life.