It is easy to forget the essentials. Therefore, when we read 1 Peter 3:21 today, we would be shocked to hear that Peter says baptism does not forgive sins! Here is the "offending" verse.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(RSV)
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:(KJV)
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (NIV)
Christian baptism is rich in meanings. Since water is applied, people will easily associate this as a symbol of the removal of dirt (sins). We tend to remember this single aspect more and forget the other aspects of baptism.
Let's take a look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches about baptism.
... the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature." (CCC#1214)
it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God.(CCC#1215)
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift....We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. (CCC#1216)
These passages stress the birth of a new life in God. The word "sin" is mentioned only once, but the wording is ambiguous. Sin is buried. Is sin removed nor forgiven?
The waters of the great flood
you made a sign of the waters of Baptism,
that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. (CCC#1219)
Again, the poetic language of this prayer does not explicitly say that sins are forgiven. Rather, the prayer gives water the power to put an end to sins and at the same time, a beginning of new life.
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;(Acts 2:38, CCC#1226)
It is only after 13 articles (since CCC#1214) that CCC mentions the forgiveness of sins through baptism. It is a quotation of Peter's speech on the Pentecost.
Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate. the celebrant then anoints him with the oil of catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan. (CCC#1237)
It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ.(CCC#1239).
Here, baptism removes the power of sins over the catechumens. We may understand it to mean the forgiveness of sins.
As a conclusion, CCC teaches two aspects of baptism: purification and rebirth.
The different effects of Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the sacramental rite. Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and purification, but also regeneration and renewal. Thus the two principal effects are purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.(CCC#1262)
No doubt, based on the authority of Peter (in Acts 2), the Church believes that baptism forgives sins. Then how do we square with Peter's words in the epistle (1 Peter 3)?
On a more careful rereading in context, we understand that Peter does not deny the purification effect of baptism. Rather,he was talking about salvation. The focus of the text is how baptism achieves salvation for us. 1 Peter 3:21 is the only place in the N.T. to affirm that baptism brings salvation. Baptism is a necessary condition of salvation. The text is a refutation for those who naively think that faith alone is enough for salvation. Baptism also removes "the dirt of the flesh" which means forgives our sins. However, Peter denies that salvation is achieved through the removal of sins. Rather, baptism saves us by our appeal to God from a good conscience. In his theology, cleansing of sins does not guarantee salvation. An appeal from a good conscience expressed in the rite of baptism does.
What does it mean by "a good conscience" and "an appeal from a good conscience to God"?
Due to the harm done by the Original Sin, the loss of the Original Grace, our conscience is wounded and needs to be constantly taken care of. There are too many temptations from without and concupiscence from within attacking it. Baptism only marks the beginning of a life long struggle against our own weaknesses. Once baptized, we are committed to God. It is not the cleanliness, but our commitment which guarantees salvation. Q.E.D.
From this little exercise, we learn that we must be careful in reading the scripture.
Dear Lord, You wish the salvation of all. Give us a second chance when we miss the first. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment