Catholics believe we are born again through Baptism because this truth is explicitly expressed in Sacred Scripture and maintained by Sacred Tradition. The New Testament identifies Baptism as the ordinary means by which believers receive sanctifying grace, God's gift of eternal life. "Truly, truly, I say to you," the Lord Jesus Christ declares, "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Jesus Himself, though sinless, condescends to be baptized by Saint John at the start of His public ministry (cf. Matt. 3:13ff., et al.). As Saint Ambrose of Milan explained in the fourth century, "The Lord was baptized, not to be cleansed Himself but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism" (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke 2:83).
Revealing the intimate connection between faith and Baptism, the Lord teaches, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Before ascending to heaven, He instructs the Apostles: "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20). When the crowd at Pentecost asks at the conclusion of Saint Peter's sermon, "What shall we do?", the Apostle replies, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). And, comparing the baptismal waters to the cleansing flood in Noah's time, Peter writes, "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you" (1 Pet. 3:21).
For the Apostolic Church, Baptism was the gateway to the Christian life (cf. Acts 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:48, et al.). The Ethiopian Eunuch, having received the gospel from Saint Philip, expresses the desire for Baptism (Acts 8:37). Saints Paul and Silas baptize the Philippian jailer and his entire household "without delay" (Acts 16:33). Recounting his own conversion, Paul remembers how Ananias had told him, "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16). Paul later writes to the Ephesians, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word" (Eph. 5:25-26). In his Letter to Titus, the Apostle writes we are saved "by the washing of regeneration" (3:5; cf. Heb. 10:22).
Read more about Baptism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Early Historical Writings on Baptism.
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