Chapter I. On the Nature, Properties, and Necessity of Baptism

234. • The word Baptismus or Baptisma signifies the same as immersion and washing; whence Baptism is also called a laver, because it wipes away sins.

Baptism is defined: The Sacrament of regeneration through water in the word. Thus the Roman Catechism; or: It is the first Sacrament of the new law, and most necessary for the spiritual regeneration of man, instituted by Christ.

From Baptism of water, which is called that of the stream, Baptism of the Spirit and of blood are distinguished, by which Baptism properly so called can be supplied, if this latter is impossible ¹. The former is an ardent desire of receiving Baptism of water, with full conversion to God, namely with contrition or perfect charity ². The latter is the shedding of blood, or death endured for the Faith, or for another Christian virtue. But Baptism of water alone is properly called Baptism in reality. Baptism of the Spirit and of blood are called Baptisms in vow.

¹ It is not at all necessary that Baptism of water be impossible. For even before Baptism of water, which otherwise is possible but is delayed, Baptism of the Spirit can have place.

² The desire here is to be understood not as explicit, which would presuppose some notion of real Baptism, but as implicit; and it signifies not so much a longing in the proper sense of the name, as a prompt will of doing all those things which are commanded by God. Since this prompt will is necessarily contained in an act of perfect contrition or charity, therefore this Baptism of the Spirit in reality consists in conversion to God through contrition or charity, which will contain the vow or purpose, either implicit or explicit, of receiving Baptism of water, according as the notion of this Baptism is, or is not, present to the mind of him who is thus converted to God.

235. • The chief effects of Baptism are numbered as three, namely:

1. the remission of original sin and of actual sins, if there are any, through the infusion of sanctifying grace; 2. the total remission of eternal and temporal punishment due to sins; 3. the impression of the character, by which the baptized person is marked as a son of God and coheir of Christ, and is rendered incapable of receiving Baptism again. As to the first, it is clear from Trent, sess. 5, in the Decree on original sin; as to the second, from Trent, ibid., and from the Council of Florence in the Decree for the Armenians; as to the third, from the Council of Florence, ibid., and from Trent, sess. 7, on Baptism.

Baptism, therefore, is as it were the gate of the Church and of the kingdom of heaven. Hence if anyone has not been validly baptized, he can validly receive no other Sacrament.

Baptism of water, in reality or in vow ³, by divine institution is altogether necessary for salvation by necessity of means. This is clear from the words of Christ, John 3.5: Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. And from Trent, sess. 7, can. 5, on Baptism: If anyone shall say that Baptism is free, that is, not necessary for salvation, let him be anathema.

³ According to what was said in the preceding note, understand: in vow, either explicit or implicit.