Water Baptism

Water Baptism

I could not decide over the holidays on which subject to write my church research paper on until I found out that my niece and two nephews were getting baptized on the upcoming weekend at their Catholic Church. I realized that my knowledge on water baptism is very limited and I have never really done any research on this interesting topic. So I hope to really be informed on this subject and learn something new. I will include new information as well as answer the questions given to me by my instructor. Let me begin by pointing out what the bible has to say on this subject.

Colossians 2:12 states, “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead (Cabal).” This scripture really gives us a clear visual on what baptism represents. Romans 6:2-7 states “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into his death (Cleave Pg. 235)? These scriptures make the it clear to me that the baptism is very much a symbolic action that we are making a public statement of faith. In the Theology book the author makes a very good point where states that Eph. 2:1 tells that we a identifying with Christ’s Death,burial, and resurrection. This verse states, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespass and sins (Cleave Pg. 235). It is a very clear picture of our new birth in Jesus Christ. The next question I and others have is, “Is baptism necessary for salvation?”Let me take a good look at this question because of so much debate over it.

1 Cor 1:17 sates that Paul did not equated baptizing with saving people from their sins (Letusreason.org). As I continue to read this article I read that we are saved by faith not by be...

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... the United States recognizing baptismal records as legal records. It does not verify any citizenship or anything. I believe that when it comes to keeping record of the sacraments performed in the Catholic Church it is important. I know that in my family it is part of the Catholic life. Everyone in my family that I know, is aware where to find records on their baptism.

As I stated before a lot of the things I find connected to baptism has to do with traditions and certain validations into the believers life as a Christian but it does not have any impact in salvation which is the most important part of a human being. I really learned a lot doing this paper on this topic. I still have questions regarding the beliefs of the Catholic Church concerning this topic but this is not a paper on Catholic theology. Maybe some other time I will look more deeply into that topic.