Water baptism

[Nessa]

what do you guys think of water baptism?

i failed my first water baptism the only consolation was it wasnt video taped....though there were a group of people standing around. A young girl went in before me and did it perfectly but when i went in i was scared. The old lady who had been couselling me pushed me into it. So there i was crying..a real mess...refusing to be dunked. Incredibly embarrasing.. i was about 18

years later i did it again...finally put my head under...but it took a heck of alot of praying and singing to God. And that was in a spa pool...

[neo-x]

It is an act of righteousness, not a soul-saving, sin absolving act.

[EssentialSacrifice]

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."5

1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a "Baptism" with which he had to be baptized.22 The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life.23 From then on, it is possible "to be born of water and the Spirit"24 in order to enter the Kingdom of God

from: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/a ... s2c1a1.htm

In my world baptism is incredibly important as both a sign and signatory of a person's rebirth in to the kingdom of God. Willingly, as Christ submitted, persons become "the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself:9"

[Jac3510]

Different Christian groups have different views. I agree with neo in this particular case. Usually the difference is related to the deeper question of whether you accept or reject what is sometimes called a sacramental theology--which is to say, do you think God administers His grace(s) through physical mediums such as water and wine? Sacramentalists naturally see the act of baptism as a means of imparting grace, and the grace usually associated with it is the removal of original sin and union with the body of Christ.

I'm not a sacramentalist, and so my general disagreement. Regardless, you have been baptized, and that is a good thing. So it's something of a moot point anyway, I think, in your case . . . at least in terms of your personal relationship with God through Christ.

[PaulSacramento]

Baptism is a personal thing, an act between you and God through Christ by the HS.
Doesn't matter if you get dunked or sprinkled.
The only thing that matters is that you believe, you WANT it and that it is ONLY in the name of Father, Son and HS.
No one else, no organization, NOTHING added.

[EssentialSacrifice]

Baptism is a personal thing, an act between you and God through Christ by the HS. ... you had me ...
Doesn't matter if you get dunked or sprinkled.... you had me ...
The only thing that matters is that you believe, you WANT it and that it is ONLY in the name of Father, Son and HS. ... you had me ...
No one else, no organization, NOTHING added. ... you lost me...

if by this you mean there is something the church does additionally within the sacrament itself. The only participants who matter are the baptized and God. The church's participation is awarding(Testifying a baptism to) the communities' people (one baptism at a time) as an ever growing sacramental community of belief.

If I say the Catholic church adds nothing and detracts nothing in regards to baptism, believe me, they just make a big deal of it because , well, it is a big deal. The organization does nothing other than promoting and memorializing the sacraments... nothing added but testimony for the baptized .