262. Is it possible to be saved without Baptism?
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Since Christ died for the salvation of all, those can be saved without Baptism who die for the faith (Baptism of blood). Catechumens and all those who, even without knowing Christ and the Church, still (under the impulse of grace) sincerely seek God and strive to do his will can also be saved without Baptism (Baptism of desire). The Church in her liturgy entrusts children who die without Baptism to the mercy of God.
263. What are the effects of Baptism?
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Baptism takes away original sin, all personal sins and all punishment due to sin. It makes the baptized person a participant in the divine life of the Trinity through sanctifying grace, the grace of justification which incorporates one into Christ and into his Church. It gives one a share in the priesthood of Christ and provides the basis for communion with all Christians. It bestows the theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. A baptized person belongs forever to Christ. He is marked with the indelible seal of Christ (character).
264. What is the meaning of the Christian name received at Baptism?
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2167
The name is important because God knows each of us by name, that is, in our uniqueness as persons. In Baptism a Christian receives his or her own name in the Church. It should preferably be the name of a saint who might offer the baptized a model of sanctity and an assurance of his or her intercession before God
ONE-SIDED DEBATE
ReplyDeleteWhen debating the proposition of water baptism being essential for salvation; there is only one side found in the Scriptures. The Bible clearly teaches that water baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. There are no contradictory verses of Scripture to disprove that water baptism is essential to salvation.
Mark 16:16 ....has been baptized shall be saved....
There is no Scripture that states has been baptized shall not be saved.
John 3:5 ....unless one is born of water...he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
There are not any antithetical Scriptures that state men do not have to be born of water to enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:38 ...and each of you be baptized......for the forgiveness of your sins...
Search as you will, you cannot find one contradictory Scripture that says water baptism is not for the forgiveness of your sins.
Romans 6:3-6 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?........6 know this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
There is no verse of Scripture that say our body of sin was not done away through being baptized into Christ.
Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead . 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircuncision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.
There is no opposing Scripture that says being buried with Him in baptism has nothing to do forgiveness of transgressions.
Ephesians 5:25-27 ...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
There is not a verse in the Bible that says Jesus did not cleanse the church by the washing of water with the word.
1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you......
It is impossible to find the Scripture that states water baptism does not save you.
The statements you will not find in the Bible.
1. Baptism does not save.
2. Baptism is not essential to be saved.
3. Baptism is not for the forgiveness of sins.
4. Baptism is only for men who are already saved.
5. Baptism has absolutely nothing to do with salvation.
Jesus never said any of these five things. No apostles ever uttered any of theses five things.
THE FIVE STATEMENTS ARE ONLY FOUND IN CREED BOOKS, BIBLE COMMENTARIES AND OTHER WRITINGS OF MEN.
IF YOU USE SCRIPTURE ALONE, WATER BAPTISM IS A ONE-SIDED DEBATE!
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