Within the divide of Christendom, there are those who believe that Baptism is the way we come into the body of Christ, and become born again. That topic was covered here. Along with the ancient Catholic and Orthodox churches, other Christian groups who profess this view would be Anglicans (Episcopalians), Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and the … Continue reading At what age to baptize?
Sacraments
How are we to baptize?
From the Catholic perspective, proper form, proper matter, and proper intent are required for any sacrament to be valid. With Baptism, the proper matter is water. The proper form is the Trinitarian formula given to us by Christ in Matthew 28:19 “(Name), I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son … Continue reading How are we to baptize?
The Necessity of Baptism Part 2
My last post reviewed the scriptures that indicate to Catholics that Baptism is indeed necessary for salvation. One verse that was not reviewed in that post was some very clear language from St. Mark's Gospel when Jesus gives the apostles the great commission – “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he … Continue reading The Necessity of Baptism Part 2
The Necessity of Baptism Part 1
Catholics believe that it is by Baptism we become members of the body of Christ and receive the initial grace of justification – we are “born again.” Some other Christian groups would believe this as well – the Orthodox Churches, Anglicans (Episcopalians), Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and the Church of Christ are some examples. Other Christian … Continue reading The Necessity of Baptism Part 1
Baptism and Being “Born Again”
The first sacrament I will review is Baptism. There are basically two ways to view Baptism within the Christian world. Wikipedia sums it up well: Historically, Christianity has used various metaphors to describe its rite of initiation, that is, spiritual regeneration via the sacrament of baptism by the power of the water and the spirit. … Continue reading Baptism and Being “Born Again”
The Sacraments – An Overview
I will always go back to my youth for the definition of a sacrament – “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” For those of us who grew up during the era of the Baltimore catechism, this was etched into our consciousness from an early age. And I still think … Continue reading The Sacraments – An Overview
Between the Farm and the Cross 