Two weeks ago, we had published an article, here at the North Star, titled CCD 101: What are the Outward signs of the Sacrament of Baptism that show or speak of an Invisible reality? Here, we explained Baptism according to the first distinct idea contained in the definition of Sacrament (Sacrament is defined as “an outward/visible sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”).
Now, we will continue to talk about the biblical basis of Baptism as a second requirement of the Sacrament.
Baptism is prefigured in a number of Old Testament familiar stories: the story of the creation of the world when a mighty wind, the Spirit, swept over the waters (Gn 1:2); the story of Noah whose ark becomes a symbol of baptism, for through the ark humanity was saved through the water (Gn 6:9; 9:17); the story of the crossing of the Red Sea when the Israelites were delivered through water (Ex 14:21-22); finally, Baptism is prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River by which the People of God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham’s descendants, an image of eternal life. The promise of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New Covenant (Jos 3:14-17) (CCC #1222).
CCC #1223 says that “All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan.” Being without sin, Jesus did not need to submit to the purification of Baptism, yet he nevertheless chose to symbolize his union with humanity by receiving John’s Baptism (See Article on Catechist.com, September 2019|Volume 53|Number 1| page11).
Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism when He commissioned His Apostles before His Ascension. He said to them: “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” (Mt 28:19). Finally, we must be baptized in order to be saved for Jesus declares: “I tell you most solemnly, unless man is born through water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
