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 coheir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
“Baptism is the door of the spiritual life and the gateway to the Sacraments.”
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
-USCCB Website
Water is the primary symbol of baptism. John the Baptist used water (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8a; Jn 1:33; 3:23), as did Jesus (Jn 3:22). Jesus is living water (Jn 4:10), and when Jesus died, the water that flowed from his pierced side serves as a wellspring of his life and grace (Jn 19:34). The usual method is infusion, for water to be poured over the head. Baptism can also be done by partial or full immersion. Water is a symbol of divine life, grace, new birth, growth, power, deliverance, cleansing and the covenant.
Oil is also a symbol of baptism, and two kinds are used. The Oil of the Catechumens is used after the prayer of exorcism and applied to the chest. It represents salvation as well as the strength and power that come from Christ our savior. After the water has been poured, Sacred Chrism is used to anoint the crown of the head, and it represents salvation, participation in the priesthood of Christ, membership in the body of Christ and a share in eternal life.
A seashell is sometimes used to cup and pour the water during baptism. It is one of the most common symbols of St. James, who reportedly used a seashell to baptize his converts in Spain. The seashell is often pictured with three drops of water, which represent the Trinity.
The baptismal font is a large basin, usually placed on top of a pillar or stand, but it may emanate from the floor. Years ago it was customary to place the font in a baptistery, a separate room apart from the body of the church, but today it is more common to position the font in the entryway or a prominent location within the church.
Holy water fonts are often placed at the doors of the church where the baptismal font is not located, or in chapels or peoples’ homes. The holy water recalls the waters of baptism, and when a person makes the sign of the cross, it recalls the baptismal formula.
The baptismal garment is a white garment either worn from the beginning of the ritual or given after pouring or immersion. It is an outward sign of the person’s Christian dignity. It also signifies that the person has become a new creation and has been clothed with Christ.
A flame is another symbol of the Holy Spirit, which came down as tongues as of fire on Pentecost (Acts 2:3). Jesus baptizes with fire (Mt 3:11b; Lk 3:16).
The baptismal candle is lit from the Easter Candle. The candle represents the risen Jesus, who is the light of the world (Jn 8:12). Jesus is the light that guides every baptized person. It also represents the flame of faith, which is to be kept burning brightly.
The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and every person who is baptized receives the same Holy Spirit. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8; Jn 1:33).
A chi-rho, or a cross, is often displayed on the font or other items associated with baptism. The “chi” is the Greek letter equivalent to the English letters CH, and the “rho” is the Greek letter equivalent to the English letter R, and together are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. Both the monogram and the cross represent Jesus, in whose name disciples are baptized.
A single fish represents a baptized person, a group of fish represents the community of believers, and a net represents the Church, which keeps the members together and protects them (see Jn 21:11).
A fish also represents the new life of grace that a person receives in baptism.
Three fish arranged in a triangle or a circle represent the Trinity. When Jesus commissioned his disciples to go forth and baptize, he instructed them to use the Trinitarian Formula: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).
-From the Catholic Spirit by Father Michael Van Sloun
Baptism is not just a symbol. According to the Bible, it is a marvelous grace—a great gift from God, which we do not deserve in the least and which washes away our sins, bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, grants us new life in Christ, and absorbs us into the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Baptism “works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare” (Short Catechism).
“Jesus answered [Nicodemus], ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ After this [conversation] Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized” (John 3:5, 22).
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him’” (Acts 2:38-39).
“Paul . . . came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said, ‘No . . . ‘ And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’” (Acts 19:1-3).
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).
“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 of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom. 6:3-4, 6).
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:27-28)
“In him [Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were
also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses” (Col. 2:11-13).
“[H]e [God] saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7).
-Catholic Answers
Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:19-20, John 1:32, John 3:3,5, John 3:22, John 4:1, Acts 8:36, Acts 1:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16 and many more!
Jesus did not need to be baptized. The baptism by John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance, and the sacrament of baptism removes original sin. Since Jesus had neither original sin nor actual sin, he did not need to undergo baptism. However, Jesus also had no need to be born, to suffer, or to die as a man. He did so out of love for humanity.
John the Baptist appears to recognize the strangeness of Jesus asking to be baptized (Matt. 3:14) yet obeys Jesus’ request.
The baptism of Jesus began his public ministry and gave the first example that we are to follow. For if Jesus, who had no need of repentance or cleansing, humbled himself, then we all the more need to humble ourselves.
Jesus not only gave the example for us to follow, but many Fathers of the Church commented that in the baptism of Jesus the sacrament of baptism was born. It was a symbolic action that, through the grace of Christ, was changed into an ontological action. When we receive a sacrament, the grace flows to us from the sacrament, but in the baptism of Jesus the grace of Christ flowed into the sacrament.
In salvation history, the Jordan River was very important. It was through the Jordan River that Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Jesus chose this spot to be baptized so that through his immersion and emergence from the Jordan River all humanity could be led to heaven.
Ultimately, the reason Jesus chose to be baptized in the Jordan by John was not for him but for us.
Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. After a conversation with a priest or a parish director of Christian Initiation, the person, known as an “inquirer,” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite for Entrance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen.
The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God’s inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.
The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.
The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education in the Period of Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church’s mission and outreach activities.
Reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church on a Sunday during the year or even at the Easter Vigil depending on pastoral circumstances and the readiness of the Candidate.
-USCCB
For Catholics who have been baptized, confirmed and made First Communion but then drifted from the faith, the way they return is through the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics who were baptized as infants but did not receive catechesis receive Confirmation and/or the Eucharist after participation in a period of formation. This process of formation is completed with the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, often at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter Season.
-USCCB
Prior to the Rite of Election, the Catechumen may choose one or two godparents, who will accompany the Catechumen on the day of Election, at the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, and during the Period of Mystagogy. They are called to show the Catechumens good example of the Christian life, sustain them in moments of hesitancy and anxiety, bear witness, and guide their progress in the baptismal life.
-USCCB
The Easter Vigil takes place on Holy Saturday, the evening before Easter Sunday. This is the night that “shall be as bright as day” as proclaimed by the Exsultet, an ancient church hymn as we joyfully anticipate Christ’s Resurrection. The Holy Saturday Liturgy begins with the Lucernarium, a service of light that includes the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle, which symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World. The second part consists of the Liturgy of the Word with a series of Scripture readings. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Catechumens are presented to the parish community, who pray for them with the Litany of the Saints. Next, the priest blesses the water, placing the Easter or Paschal candle into the baptismal water. Those seeking Baptism then renounce sin and profess their faith after which they are baptized with the priest pronouncing the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
After baptism, the newly baptized are dressed in white garments and presented with a candle lighted from the Paschal Candle. They are then confirmed by the priest or bishop who lays hands on their heads, and invokes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He then anoints them with the oil called Sacred Chrism. The Mass continues with the newly baptized participating in the Prayer of the Faithful and in bringing gifts to the altar. At Communion, the newly baptized receive the Eucharist, Christ’s Body and Blood, for the first time.
-USCCB
In the light of verbal indications given to several episcopal Conferences, texts in this rite affected by the new translation of the Roman Missal into English are appended and indicated by the abbreviation ‘NTRM’. Users are requested to consult their local Ordinary, or abide by guidelines issued by him, in determining which text to use.
The General Introduction to Christian Initiation and the Introduction to the Baptism of Children can be found in the Readings for Baptism found in the ‘Rites’ section of the iBreviary.
“Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift... It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own.”
"What happens in baptism is the beginning of a process that embraces the whole of our life: It makes us fit for eternity."
“Every baptized person should consider that it is in the womb of the Church where he is transformed from a child of Adam to a child of God.”
"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..”