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First Question for You (Baptism of the Lord, Jan 10, 2021)
One of the common questions in adult catechism classes regardin g Baptism is about the necessity of Baptism for salvation. This question may arise out of curiosity, or from a desire for a deeper understanding of the nature of baptism. However, from my experience from catechism classes, this question is often actually a rhetorical statement of universalism. What is this universalism? It is a vague religious attitude, sentiment or idea that all people will be saved regardless of their religious beliefs, as long as they are decent human beings or listening to their conscience because God is merciful and the creator of all people. According to universalism, Baptism is not necessary for salvation. Baptism is one cultural heritage of the Judeo-Christian tradition. We should not insist on Baptism because it will be nothing but an imposition of Christian heritage and culture. In our pluralistic world now, the insistence on the necessity of baptism is not even healthy for our society. God works for everybody's salvation in everybody's unique way. We may celebrate our children's baptisms but that's should be our limit. Why did Jesus receive Baptism? It was a friendly gesture for solidarity, carefully calculated from the cultural and religious traditions of Israel at that time.
This attitude and idea are not uncommon among many Christians these days. These Christians even encourage other religious people to be faithful to their non-christian beliefs saying they can go to heaven by their non-christian beliefs and practices. But an ironic fact is that there is no other religion except this modern-day Christian idea that believes other religious people and faiths are perfectly valid for salvation. Unfortunately, universalism affects so many Christians. But it doesn't help anyone. Instead, it only discourages and hurts the Church's evangelization.
Then, should we still insist on the necessity of Baptism for all peoples and nations? If I am a faithful Christian, I must agree. It is a command Jesus gave us when he ascended into heaven. We should clarify and deepen the meaning of Baptism so that people may more easily understand the will of Christ.
Let's ask once again. Why is it necessary to be baptized for salvation? But before this question, we should ask this first: "Do you want to be saved?" But even before this question, we should ask this first: "Do you believe in God?" Anyone who encounters God and desires him listens to what he says. In today's Gospel, at the Baptism of the Lord, the voice of the Father from heaven resounds, "You are my Son, the Beloved. With you, I am well pleased." And the Father's voice at the Transfiguration we remember: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." How can we ignore or doubt the command of Christ the Son of God to preach and baptize? Why is Baptism necessary for salvation? In humility, The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, "The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude." If I have true faith, I will preach the Gospel and lead people into Baptism. If I see people who haven't heard the Gospel, I should first bring the Gospel to them. It will be only playing God if I question whether God will be able to save them without the Gospel or Baptism. The Catechism teaches,"God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments." Indeed, God can save people without the sacraments. But that doesn't mean we are free from the command of Christ to baptize.
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By Fr Swann KimOne of the common questions in adult catechism classes regardin g Baptism is about the necessity of Baptism for salvation. This question may arise out of curiosity, or from a desire for a deeper understanding of the nature of baptism. However, from my experience from catechism classes, this question is often actually a rhetorical statement of universalism. What is this universalism? It is a vague religious attitude, sentiment or idea that all people will be saved regardless of their religious beliefs, as long as they are decent human beings or listening to their conscience because God is merciful and the creator of all people. According to universalism, Baptism is not necessary for salvation. Baptism is one cultural heritage of the Judeo-Christian tradition. We should not insist on Baptism because it will be nothing but an imposition of Christian heritage and culture. In our pluralistic world now, the insistence on the necessity of baptism is not even healthy for our society. God works for everybody's salvation in everybody's unique way. We may celebrate our children's baptisms but that's should be our limit. Why did Jesus receive Baptism? It was a friendly gesture for solidarity, carefully calculated from the cultural and religious traditions of Israel at that time.
This attitude and idea are not uncommon among many Christians these days. These Christians even encourage other religious people to be faithful to their non-christian beliefs saying they can go to heaven by their non-christian beliefs and practices. But an ironic fact is that there is no other religion except this modern-day Christian idea that believes other religious people and faiths are perfectly valid for salvation. Unfortunately, universalism affects so many Christians. But it doesn't help anyone. Instead, it only discourages and hurts the Church's evangelization.
Then, should we still insist on the necessity of Baptism for all peoples and nations? If I am a faithful Christian, I must agree. It is a command Jesus gave us when he ascended into heaven. We should clarify and deepen the meaning of Baptism so that people may more easily understand the will of Christ.
Let's ask once again. Why is it necessary to be baptized for salvation? But before this question, we should ask this first: "Do you want to be saved?" But even before this question, we should ask this first: "Do you believe in God?" Anyone who encounters God and desires him listens to what he says. In today's Gospel, at the Baptism of the Lord, the voice of the Father from heaven resounds, "You are my Son, the Beloved. With you, I am well pleased." And the Father's voice at the Transfiguration we remember: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." How can we ignore or doubt the command of Christ the Son of God to preach and baptize? Why is Baptism necessary for salvation? In humility, The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, "The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude." If I have true faith, I will preach the Gospel and lead people into Baptism. If I see people who haven't heard the Gospel, I should first bring the Gospel to them. It will be only playing God if I question whether God will be able to save them without the Gospel or Baptism. The Catechism teaches,"God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments." Indeed, God can save people without the sacraments. But that doesn't mean we are free from the command of Christ to baptize.