Catechism and Baptism

Comparison between "Catechism of the Catholic Church"
(published in 1995 by Doubleday, 1540 Broadway, New York, New York 10036)
and the Bible -- the Authorized King James Version of 1611

RCC Catechism	Bible
Baptism necessary for salvation "The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation." (Pg. 352, #1257) "The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude..." (Pg. 352, #1257) "The faithful are born anew by Baptism.."(Pg. 341, #1212).	Jesus necessary for salvation For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.. (Simeon speaking of Jesus) --Luke 2:30 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. --Acts 4:12 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth... -- Romans 1:16 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ... --I Thessalonians 5:9 ...obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. --2 Timothy 2:10 ...the holy scriptures,...are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:15 For it became him...to make the captain of their salvation [Jesus] perfect through sufferings. -- Heb 2:10 And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; -- Heb 5:9
RCC Catechism	Bible
Baptism cleanses us from sin Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte 'a new creature, 'an adopted son of God, who has become a 'partaker of the divine nature,' member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit." (Pg.354, #1265) "By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin." (Pg. 353, #1263. see also pg. 279, #985). "Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the Church..." (Pg. 342, #1213).	Blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." --Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins --Colossians 1:14 ...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. --1 John 1:7 Whom [Jesus] God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past... --Romans 3:25 ...without shedding of blood is no remission. --Hebrews 9:22 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. --Hebrews 10:18
RCC Catechism	Bible
Sealed by water baptism "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." (Pg.356, #1274)	Sealed by the Holy Ghost "..in whom also after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that HOLY SPIRIT of promise." --Ephesians 1:13

To Think About...

• If "water baptism" is necessary for salvation as the Catholic religion insists, why did the great apostle Paul say:

  "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..."

  --1 Cor. 1:17

  "I thank God that I baptized NONE OF YOU, but Crispus and Gaius;"

  --1 Cor. 1:12

  Answer: Because water baptism is not necessary for salvation.
  
   

• BELIEVING on the Lord Jesus Christ is the requirement for salvation, not baptism. The Scriptures are very clear that your salvation depends upon your belief, and your damnation depends upon your unbelief:

  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  --John 3:36

  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  --John 3:16

  "He that believeth on him is not condemned: But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

  --John 3:18

• Water baptism symbolizes the believers death, burial and resurrection with Christ (Rom 6:12, Col 2:12), symbolizes washing away of sins (Acts 22:16), and the answer of a good conscience towards God (I Peter 3:21).
  
   
• Water baptism comes AFTER one believes on Jesus Christ. Water baptism always follows salvation:

  1. In Acts 8:36-37, The Ethiopian eunuch asked, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

     And Philip replied, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." At this point in verse 39, the believing man was baptized.

      

  2. In Acts 16:30, 31, 33, the Philippian jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

     And Paul replied, "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." ...And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

      

  3. In Acts 18:8, Crispus believed and was then baptized,

     "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, BELIEVED ON THE LORD with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."

      

  4. In Acts 2:41, they received the word from Peter and then were baptized.

     "...they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

      

  5. Salvation first, THEN water baptism in Acts 8:12:

     "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." -Acts 8:12

      

  6. Same path in Acts 8:13:

     "Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip..."

• The repentant thief on the cross died without being baptized, but what did Jesus say to him as they hung there? "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

   

• Performing some ritual like water baptism could NEVER save for we can not be justified before God except through saving faith in Jesus.

  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

  --Galatians 2:16

  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

  --Galatians 3:11

  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

  Romans 3:28

• What about those who think works like sprinkling of water save?

  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

  --Galatians 5:4

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