Saint Francis of Assisi Church
Grove City, FL
BAPTISM
What is Baptism?
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments and the doorway to the Christian life. It’s where our life in Christ begins. Through the waters of Baptism, God welcomes us as His own beloved children, washes away sin, and makes us members of His family, the Church.
Jesus Himself gave us this sacrament. Before returning to the Father, He sent His apostles out to make disciples of all nations, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have been baptized just as He asked.
What Baptism Does
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It frees us from sin. Baptism washes away original sin, and in adults, all personal sin as well, giving us a fresh start in God’s grace.
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It makes us children of God. We are born again “of water and the Spirit” (see John 3:5) and receive a share in God’s own life.
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It unites us to Christ. In Baptism we share in Jesus’ death and Resurrection, rising to new life with Him (see Romans 6:3–4).
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It brings us into the Church. The baptized become members of the Body of Christ and part of a worldwide family of faith, and of our parish family here at Saint Francis.
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It marks us forever. Baptism leaves a permanent spiritual seal showing that we belong to Christ. That’s why it is received only once.
The Signs of Baptism
Each part of the celebration helps us see what God is doing:
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Water shows cleansing from sin and the beginning of new life.
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Anointing with sacred oil (chrism) shows that the child is strengthened by the Holy Spirit and shares in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet and king.
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The white garment shows that the newly baptized has “put on Christ” and is clothed in new life.
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The lighted candle, lit from the Easter candle, shows that Christ is the Light of the World and that the child is called to walk as a child of the light.
Why We Baptize Infants
From the Church’s earliest days, children have been baptized so they can receive God’s grace and love from the very start of life. God’s gift doesn’t depend on our being old enough to earn it. It’s freely given. Parents then promise to raise their child in the faith, so that one day the child will embrace that faith as their own.