Baptism: Initiation into the Church

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation by which a person becomes a full member of the Church. Baptism is a new birth in water and the Spirit by which we are cleansed of both Original Sin and actual sin. Baptism connects us to the resurrection of Christ and allows us to be saved. Jesus says that unless a person is born of water and Spirit he can not enter the Kingdom of God. He commands the Apostles to go and Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit highlighting the importance of Baptism in Salvation. After we participate in Baptism, we become part of the Mystical Body of Christ and we become an adopted son or daughter of God. Although we are forgiven of Original Sin through Baptism, we retain the consequences of Original Sin such as death and the inclination to sin. Baptism opens the path and the ability to go to Heaven, but we still must live a Christ like life. Baptism initiates us into the Church and gives us the sanctifying grace needed to enter into the Kingdom of God.