The Roman Catholic Church teaches that original sin is removed from an infant when that infant is water baptized in their church. The infant becomes "born again" at the baptism.
Pope Eugene IV proclaimed:
Holy Baptism holds the first place among the sacraments, because it is the door of the spiritual life; for by it we are made members of Christ and incorporated with the Church... The effect of this sacrament is the remission of all sin, original and actual; likewise of all punishment which is due for sin. As a consequence, no satisfaction for past sins is enjoined upon those who are baptized; and if they die before they commit any sin, they attain immediately to the kingdom of heaven and the vision of God. [33]
The Council of Trent was very clear on the matter as well:
If anyone says that children, because they have not the act of believing, are not after having received baptism to be numbered among the faithful, and that for this reason are to be rebaptized when they have reached the years of discretion; or that it is better that the baptism of such be omitted than that, while not believing by their own act, they should be baptized in the faith of the Church alone, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA. [34]
If anyone says that baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA. [35]
This is what the Roman Catholic Church means when they say that they teach "salvation by grace."
After all, the infant didn't do anything to earn his or her baptism.
This is not even remotely close to what the Bible means by "salvation by grace."
Read throughout the whole New Testament and ask the following questions:
Let's start with 1 Corinthians 1:17: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
It is clear that Paul makes a distinction between the gospel and baptism; a distinction the Roman Catholic Church will not make. The Bible teaches that water baptism is associated with the gospel, but it is not part of the gospel.
The story of Cornelius is one of the strongest arguments against baptismal regeneration. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost and showed gifts of the Spirit before he was water baptized.
Acts 10:44-47 reads:
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (emphasis mine).
It is clear that Cornelius and the other Gentiles had received (past tense) the Holy Ghost, the promise of what is to come (Ephesians 1:13-14), but were not yet baptized in water.
This is significant because if baptismal regeneration were correct, then this would be a blatant contradiction, rendering the whole Bible false! Either Jesus' death and resurrection are enough, or none of it is true. How could Cornelius have been baptized with the Holy Ghost and not water if the Roman Catholic Church were correct about water baptism? They are obviously mistaken. They are teaching another gospel.
The following are but a sample of what the Bible consistently teaches about salvation:
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24).
Please note that it says "justified by faith," and not the law (works.)
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
If belief were not enough, then the Lord Jesus would be a liar.
The apostle Paul taught, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9, 13).
Paul said to the Corinthian church, "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
No mention of water baptism in these verses. How odd if it were necessary for salvation, yet not mentioned.
What is mentioned?
Are any of these qualities that an infant can possess?
John the Baptist said: "I indeed have baptized you with water: but [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" (Mark 1:8). This is repeated in all four gospels, (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33).
John makes a distinction between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit.
When we look at what the Bible says about baptismal regeneration, we must conclude that it is not only heretical, but that it slaps in the face the grace offered by our Lord Christ, and adds to the gospel, which we are commanded not to do.
This document written to the glory of God.
© 2006, Mark Edward Sohmer. Please feel free to quote from it in context, and distribute it in its entirety without profit.
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