What is the Sacrament of Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament instituted by Christ through which a person is cleansed from sin, spiritually reborn as a child of God, receives the Holy Spirit, is incorporated into Christ and His Church, and begins new life in grace.
Carrying on the Apostolic teaching from the earliest days of Christianity, the Church understands baptism not merely as a symbol, but as a sacrament through which God truly acts.
Baptism cleanses from sin
Baptism removes original sin and, in the case of older children or adults, all personal sins committed prior to baptism.
St. Peter explicitly links baptism with forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit:
“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” (Acts 2:38)
St. Paul also connects baptism with purification:
“He saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
And St. Peter writes:
“Baptism… now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21), while clarifying that its saving power comes not from mere physical washing but through Christ.
Baptism is a new birth in Christ
Jesus teaches that baptism is the ordinary means of spiritual rebirth:
“Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
We understand this as a reference to sacramental baptism – a rebirth through water and the Holy Spirit.
St. Paul describes baptism as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Baptism makes us children of God and members of Christ
Through baptism, a person is united to Christ and incorporated into His Body, the Church.
St. Paul teaches:
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Likewise:
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26–27).
Baptism gives the Holy Spirit
Baptism imparts sanctifying grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus connects water and the Spirit in His teaching (John 3:5), and St. Peter proclaims:
“Be baptized… and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
At Jesus’ own baptism, the descent of the Spirit visibly reveals baptism’s connection to divine sonship and sanctification (Matthew 3:13–17).
Baptism leaves an indelible spiritual mark
The Church teaches that baptism permanently marks the soul and therefore can only be received once.
“You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13).
And:
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed” (Ephesians 4:30).
Baptism was commanded and instituted by Christ
After His resurrection, Jesus gave the Church the mission to baptize:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus also connects baptism with salvation:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).
Baptism is the sacrament instituted by Christ in which, through water and the Holy Spirit, a person is freed from sin, reborn as a child of God, united to Christ and His Church, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, and begins new life in grace (John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Titus 3:5; Matthew 28:19).
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1213): Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
Children’s Baptism
Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year, except during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent, or in the case of an emergency. Baptism classes may be scheduled anytime during the year. Anyone who is planning to have a child baptized is required to attend a class, which you can attend before the birth of the child if it is more convenient. Please call the Parish Office (616-363-6885) to register for the class.
Adult Baptism
The Catholic Church recognizes the sacramental nature of baptisms that occur in many non-Catholic Christian denominations.
If you’re an adult and have never been baptized (or if you were baptized in a non-Catholic Christian church), click here for your Next Steps.
