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

Baptism is defined according to the Roman Catechism: the Sacrament of regeneration through water in the word; and it is the first sacrament of the new law, and most necessary, instituted by Christ for the spiritual regeneration of man.

Thus the new Code:

§ 1. Baptism, the gate and foundation of the Sacraments, necessary for all unto salvation in reality or at least in vow, is not validly conferred except through the washing of true and natural water with the prescribed form of words.

§ 2. When it is ministered with all the rites and ceremonies which are prescribed in the ritual books being observed, it is called solemn; otherwise non-solemn or private (Can. 737).

From Baptism of water, which is called of the stream, there is distinguished Baptism of the Spirit and Baptism of blood, by which Baptism properly so called can be supplied, if the latter is impossible. The former is full conversion to God through contrition or perfect charity, insofar as it contains either an explicit or at least implicit will 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. But the latter is the shedding of blood, or death, endured for the faith or for another Christian virtue. But only Baptism of water is properly called Baptism in reality; Baptism of the Spirit and Baptism of blood are called Baptisms in vow.

The principal effects of Baptism are numbered as three, namely: 1st. the remission of original sin and of actual sins, if there are any, through the infusion of sanctifying grace; 2nd. the total remission of eternal and temporal penalty due to sins; 3rd. the impression of a character, by which the baptized person is marked as a son of God and co-heir of Christ and is rendered incapable of receiving Baptism again. All these things are clear from the Council of Trent, sess. 5, in the decree de peccato orig.; and sess. 7, de Baptismo; and from the Council of Florence in the decree for the Armenians.

Baptism of water in reality or in vow, as this has been explained, from divine institution is altogether necessary for salvation by necessity of means. This is clear both from the words of Christ, John iii, 5: "Unless someone has been reborn from water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God"; and from the Council of Trent, sess. 7, can. 6, de Baptismo: "If anyone shall have said that Baptism is free, that is, not necessary for salvation, let him be anathema." - Cf. De Augustinis, art. 5, p. 354.

By Baptism a man is constituted in the Church of Christ as a person with all the rights and duties of Christians, unless, as concerns rights, an obstacle stands in the way, impeding the bond of ecclesiastical communion, or a censure imposed by the Church (Can. 87).¹

¹ Cf. Addenda, p. 1146, n. 119.