288. What is Baptism?
Baptism is a Sacrament, in which a man who believes, having his body thrice plunged in water in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, dies to the carnal life of sin, and is born again of the Holy Ghost to a life spiritual and holy. Except a, man be born of water and, of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God. John iii. 5.
289. When and how began Baptism?
First, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Acts xix. 4. Afterwards, Jesus Christ, by his own example, sanctified Baptism, when he received it from John. Lastly, after his resurrection, he gave the Apostles this solemn commandment: Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. xxviii. 19.
290. What is most essential in the administration of Baptism?
Trine immersion in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
291. What is required of him that seeks to be baptized?
Repentance and faith; for which cause, also, before Baptism the? recite the Creed. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts ii. 38. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark xvi. 16.
292. But why, then, are children baptized?
For the faith of their parents and sponsors, who are also bound to teach them the faith so soon as they are of sufficient age to learn.
293. How can you show from holy Scripture that we ought to baptize infants?
In the time of the Old Testament, infants were circumcised when eight days old; but Baptism in the New Testament takes the place of circumcision; consequently infants should also be baptized.
294. Whence does it appear that Baptism takes the place of circumcision?
From the following words of the Apostle to believers: Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with him in Baptism. Coloss. ii. 11, 12.
295. Why are there sponsors at Baptism?
In order that they may stand sureties before the Church for the faith of the baptized, and after Baptism may take him in charge, to confirm him in the faith. (See Dion. Areop. on the Eccl. Hier. cap. ii.)
296. Why before baptizing do we use exorcism?
To drive away the devil, who since Adam's fall has had access to men, and power over them, as his captives and slaves.
The Apostle Paul says, that all men, without grace, walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Eph. ii. 2.
297. Wherein lies the force of exorcism?
In the name of Jesus Christ, invoked with prayer and faith. Jesus Christ gave to believers this promise: In my name shall they cast out devils. Mark xvi. 17.
298. What force has the sign of the cross used on this and other occasions?
What the name of Jesus Christ crucified is when pronounced with faith by motion of the lips, the very same is also the sign of the cross when made with faith by motion of the hand, or represented in any other way.
Cyril of Jerusalem writes: Let us not be ashamed to confess the Crucified; let us boldly make the sign of the Cross on the forehead, and on every thing; on the bread which we eat; on the cups from which we drink; let us make it at our going out, and coming in; when we lie down to sleep, and when we rise; when we journey, and when we rest: it is a great safeguard, given to the poor without price, to the weak without labor. For this is the grace of God; a token for the faithful, and a terror for evil spirits. (Cat. Lect. xiii. 36.)
299. Whence have we the use of the sign of the Cross?
From the very times of the Apostles. (See Dion. Areop. on the Eccl. Hier. cap. ii. and v.; also Tertull. de Coron. cap. iii.; de Resurr. cap. viii.)
300. What means the white garment which is put on after Baptism?
The purity of the soul, and of the Christian life.
301. Why do they hang upon the baptized a Cross?
As a visible expression and continual remembrance of Christ's command: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matt. xvi. 24.
302. What means the procession of the baptized round the font with a light?
Spiritual joy, joined with spiritual illumination.
303. How is this to be understood, that in the Creed we are made to confess one Baptism?
In this sense: that Baptism can not be repeated.
304. Why can not Baptism be repeated?
Baptism is spiritual birth: a man is born but once; therefore he is also baptized but once.
305. What is to be thought of those who sin after Baptism?
That they are more guilty in their sins than the unbaptized, since they had from God special help to do well, and have thrown it away.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter ii. 20.
306. But is there not any way even for such as have sinned after Baptism to obtain pardon?
There is a way, which is penitence.
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