Baptism is a Holy Sacrament by which we are born again by being immersed in water three times in the name of the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Sacrament of Baptism has the first rank among the Seven Holy Sacraments, as it is the door by which the believer enters the church and has the right to partake in the rest of the Sacraments.
The Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism by being baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, when the Holy Spirit came upon Him as a dove, anointed Him, then assured it after the resurrection when He said to His disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew: 28:19), “He who is baptised will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
Baptism is a redemptive Sacrament, necessary for redemption and entry to eternal life according to what the Lord said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3). It is one of the four redemptive Sacraments: Baptism, Myron, Confession and Communion of the Holy Body and precious Blood of the Lord.
Through Baptism, the believer is reborn a spiritual birth from the Water and the Spirit; his first birth being from his parents.
The best time for Baptism is Sunday before Mass, as the priest is fasting because Baptism is death and resurrection, and Sunday is the weekly memory of the Lord’s Resurrection.
The wisdom of granting the Sacrament of Baptism right before the Mass, is so that the baptised person and his parents may attend the Mass, and receive the Holy Sacraments Read more |
