Baptism

- Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism

In his dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus taught that Baptism was necessary for salvation. "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit" (Jn 3:5). After his Resurrection, Jesus met with the eleven Apostles and gave them the commission to preach the Gospel and baptize, telling them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16).

Jesus' immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God's will. Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father.

By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin—Original and actual—and begin to live a new life with God.

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213.

Baptisms are scheduled on a case by case basis. Parents and Godparents need to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Please contact the Office if you wish to have your child baptized to schedule the class and Baptism.

Requirements for Godparents:
1. One male and/or one female godparent.
2. At least 16 years old.
3. Have reicieved all the Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
4. If married, married in the Catholic Church.
5. Be a faithful and practicing Catholic.

Holy Family Catholic Church

16314 FM 849, Lindale, Texas - (903) 882-4079

Baptism