Remote Matter Of Baptism example essay topic

Roman Catholic Church practices seven sacraments, and Baptism is by far one of the most important of them. The reason for this is that Holy Baptism in the Catholic Church is the door of spiritual life; for it we are made members of Christ and incorporated with the Church. And since through the first man death entered into all, unless we be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, we can not enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Williams, 1988). Therefore, since Catholics believe that they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven and be truly saved unless they are baptized, baptism is the first among the seven sacraments. Baptism is clearly stated as being important in the Catholic religion, but what does it mean? Baptism derived from the Greek word bap to or baptize, which is to wash, dip, or immerse.

The Roman Catechism defines baptism thus: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration by water in the work (Barrett, 1982). Catholics as well as many other Christians believe that when you are baptized you enter into the spirit of God; you are forgiven for your sins and become purified like water is pure. Water is the matter that is most fit for baptism, it is seen as being pure, clean, and helps in washing. It is believed that when one is baptized with water, the water washes away sin and makes one pure and right with God. It is faith that true and natural water is the remote matter of baptism (Erickson, 1993). The remote matter of baptism can be used whether it is water from the sea, a fountain, lake, stream, or marsh.

It can be hot, cold, fresh, or salty. Water that is in the form of rain, melted snow, ice, or hail is also considered valid to baptize with. The question is if water could not be obtained would invalid matter work in its place? Invalid matter is considered as oil, beer, wine, saliva, etc.

Invalid matter can not be used for baptism unless remote matter can not be obtained. On the other hand it is never allowable to baptize with invalid liquid (Bel castro, 1963). This is what is controversial; it is not allowed to baptize with invalid matter unless valid matter can not be obtained. Water is only one matter in which someone is baptized with; there is also a proximate matter. Proximate matter is how a person is baptized with water, such as immersion, infusion, or aspersion. Immersion is when the whole body is dipped in water like a bath.

This is the more ancient form of baptizing. In the 13th century infusion and aspersion became more popular, especially in the Western Churches. Infusion would be pouring water onto the body while aspersion is to sprinkle onto body. In the Latin Church infusion or aspersion must be administered by laving the water on the head of the person being baptized.

To be valid, the water must not only touch the head but also must touch the skin and flow. However, baptism is not complete or valid by liquid matter or proximate matter. To complete baptism and make it valid and true, the form must also be performed. The sole valid form of baptism is: I baptize thee in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost (Erickson, 1993). The Catholic Church believes that the word baptize must be used to make this sacrament valid. I baptized thee, means I wash away your sin and make you spiritually pure and right with God.