Baptism

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The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism, the foundational sacrament of the Church, is the first of three sacraments of initiation, followed in the usual order by Confirmation and Eucharist. It is the fount from which springs a full and invigorating Christian life and begins the Christian journey. In Christian history and theology, Baptism washes away the onus of original and personal sin, dresses one in Christ’s dazzling garment of pure love, oils one for the work of building the kingdom of justice and peace, and inserts one into the communion of believers stretching through the centuries. It is at once transforming, purifying, reconciling and uniting.

Because of original sin, we are born without grace in our souls, so there is no way for us to have fellowship with God. Jesus became man to bring us into union with his Father. He said no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is first born of “water and the Spirit” (John 3:5)-this refers to baptism. Through baptism we are born again, but this time on a spiritual level instead of a physical level. We are washed in the bath of rebirth (Titus 3:5).

Although most Catholic Christians continue to experience this sacrament as infants, Baptism presupposes a journey of faith prior to its celebration on the part of the participant. Such a journey is provided in most instances of adult baptism through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) or with children over the age of reason by the similar Rite of Christian Initiation for Children.

For infants and younger children, parents provide the context of the Christian journey. Thus during the preparation for the sacrament and during its celebration, parents (and godparents) review and renew in a solemn manner their own Baptismal promises, that they may immerse their children in the faith of the Church and its practice through their own spiritual journeys.
Through baptism we are born again, but this time on a spiritual level instead of a physical level. We are washed in the bath of rebirth (Titus 3:5). We are baptised into Christ’s death and therefore share in His Resurrection (Romans 6:3-7).

Baptism cleanses us of sins and brings the Holy Spirit and His grace into our souls (Acts 2:38, 22:16). And the apostle Peter is perhaps the most blunt of all: “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the gateway into the Church.

At The Catholic Church of the Ascension, Baptism instructions take place every second Saturday of the month while Infant Baptisms are usually celebrated on the third Saturday of every month at our Church at 8am. For Adult and older children baptisms, please contact the Parish Secretary on +234 8021115555 for more information.