Karl Keating's E-Letter of January 18, 2005

[ehanway]

I am in the process of having my baby baptized and last night was our class taught by the church. They talked about how things have changed and how baptism is now taught. The discussion has left me confused. I learned that Baptism washes away the remnants of Original Sin that we inherit as descendants of Adam and Eve. They said that there was no such thing as Limbo--that it was something St. Augustine made up. Is that true?
The overall gist of the presentation was that Baptism is the welcoming of a new member to the Christian faith. They said this has always been the case but it just hasn't been taught correctly for many years. Many others in the class were glad to hear this because it had been a stumbling block for them as Catholics. Many had been turned off by the message that a baby must be baptized or it will not get to see God. My husband to has been raised Baptist was very relieved to have this viewpoint.
Like I said this has left me very confused. Does anyone have any information for me that can reconcile these viewpoints.
Thanks and God Bless

[Maurelian]

Originally Posted by ehanway

The overall gist of the presentation was that Baptism is the welcoming of a new member to the Christian faith. They said this has always been the case but it just hasn't been taught correctly for many years. Many others in the class were glad to hear this because it had been a stumbling block for them as Catholics. Many had been turned off by the message that a baby must be baptized or it will not get to see God. My husband to has been raised Baptist was very relieved to have this viewpoint.
Like I said this has left me very confused. Does anyone have any information for me that can reconcile these viewpoints.
Thanks and God Bless

I don't claim to be an expert, but it sounds to me that whoever is teaching your class is giving a Protestant viewpoint of baptism. The Catholic Church does indeed teach that baptism provides us with sanctifying grace, and is more that just a "welcoming of someone to Christianity." I don't know how to reconcile the two viewpoints. Hopefully someone will give you a better answer than I can. I'd recommend posting int the apologetics section, or even "Ask an Apologist." In the meantime, check out this tract from the Catholic Answers website:

http://www.catholic.com/library/Baptismal_Grace.asp

[Maurelian]

Originally Posted by ehanway

Does anyone have any information for me that can reconcile these viewpoints.
Thanks and God Bless

This is also from Catholic Answers:

Since the New Testament era, the Catholic Church has always understood baptism differently, teaching that it is a sacrament which accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants and young children, since they are incapable of actual sin; and both original and actual sin in the case of older persons.

see http://www.catholic.com/library/Infant_Baptism.asp for full text

Also, from the Catechism:

1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.61 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.62 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit."

1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

[julebenn]

Regarding babis being baptized

I see one major problem here, Catholics grow up convinced that they already have a right relationship with God and are on the road
that leads to heaven, for your faith is not in a savior, but in a sacrament and in a minister of the sacraments, the RCC

[Joseph Bilodeau]

Originally Posted by julebenn

Regarding babis being baptized

I see one major problem here, Catholics grow up convinced that they already have a right relationship with God and are on the road
that leads to heaven, for your faith is not in a savior, but in a sacrament and in a minister of the sacraments, the RCC

Rest assured that this is not the case. Our Faith is indeed in our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is this strong Faith that we have in Him that prompts us to obey His will and be baptized, all of us, including our children.