Why is the Sacrament of Baptism such a HUGE deal? How can we even begin to wrap our heads around the power of this Sacrament? When we take a look at the Sacrament of Baptism we need to understand that it is so incredibly significant because it affects us not only on an individual level, but on a communal level. So, what does that mean exactly? Let us take a look at the meaning of Baptism as given to us in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1213:
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 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."5 (Roman Catechism II,2,5; Cf. Council Of Florence: DS 1314; CIC, cann. 204 § 1; 849; CCEO, can. 675 § 1.)
Called to Communion
When we receive the Sacrament of Baptism in a valid manner, which means with the proper matter, form and intention; we become members of the Body of Christ; united together in communion with one another as Christians. The correct formula, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." is required in the Latin Church (CCC, no. 1240), and the sacrament must be conferred either by pouring or immersion of natural water. (CIC, no. 854) The intention is to do what the Church does. How incredible is it that since the beginning of the Church the early Christians were baptized in the same way as we are baptized today. We see in the Didache the same matter and form of the sacrament; the conferral of the sacrament with the Trinitarian formula:
“After the foregoing instructions, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living [running] water...pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (7:1 [A.D. 70])
The Gift of Baptism
How amazing is it that by the beautiful gift of Baptism we enter into the Pascal Mystery, and receive an eternal connection with faith; where we become the adopted sons and daughters of Christ. When we "put on Christ," we are set free from original sin, and enlightened in our understanding as we become a living temple of the Holy Spirit. The gates of Heaven have been opened by the death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ, and we are invited to spend eternity with the Triune God when we receive sanctifying grace and the grace of justification.
The Catechism captivates the mystery of Baptism eloquently in paragraph 1216:
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. (St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 40,3-4:PG 36,361C)
Baptismal Promises
What we profess at our Baptism (or what sponsors profess for an infant) is our "fiat," to God, our "Yes" to Him. It was by Jesus' consecration to the Father; His own "fiat" to God's saving plan, and the anointing by the Holy Spirit during His baptism in the Jordan, that we are able to become consecrated to Him. It was during this pivotal moment that God revealed His Son as the "anointed one," the Christ. By taking on our human nature as the Son of God; we are now able to enter into the mystery of water, blood, and the spirit; the three that testify of one accord to the consecration of Jesus. It was on the night of the Last Supper that Jesus said to the apostles, "I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth" (Jn 17:19) How incredible is it that we witness the baptismal promises in the early Church, as written by Hippolytus:
“When the one being baptized goes down into the water, the one baptizing him shall put his hand on him and speak thus: ‘Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?’ And he that is being baptized shall say: ‘I believe.’ Then, having his hand imposed upon the head of the one to be baptized, he shall baptize him once. Then he shall say: ‘Do you believe in Christ Jesus . . . ?’ And when he says: ‘I believe,’ he is baptized again. Again shall he say: ‘Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the holy Church and the resurrection of the flesh?’ The one being baptized then says: ‘I believe.’ And so he is baptized a third time” (The Apostolic Tradition 21 [A.D. 215]).