1. God Calls us to Reconciliation

2. Reconciliation with God Separated from God through Original Sin “we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans This reconciliation is the good news of Christianity Gospel God loved us enough to reconcile us to Him Even though we were the ones who caused the gap John 3:16

3. Reconciliation through Baptism God calls us to reconciliation with Him through His Church We respond to the call through Baptism Baptism Freed from original sin Sanctifying grace restored in the soul Baptism usually done by priest, bishop, or deacon Can be done by anyone in extreme situations Matter: Water Form: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

4. Jesus Gives us Baptism Jesus was Baptized by John the Baptist He didn’t need the graces His baptism made it a Sacrament Raised the nature of Baptism Jesus told Nicodemus Baptism was necessary to go to Heaven “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” John 3:5 Jesus instructed Apostles to Baptize “Go therefore and 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 St. Peter taught the crowds at the first Pentecost “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” Acts 2:38 Converted 3,000 people

5. Effects of Baptism First Sacrament we receive We need this in order to receive the others Indelible mark on the soul (Baptismal Seal) Invisible mark on the soul Permanent: can’t be removed, even by mortal sin Shows that we belong to God “This is My beloved on, with Whom I am well pleased” Baptism can only be received once Washes away Original Sin Baptism = “washing” Takes away all actual sin, as well as its repercussions We receive the Holy Spirit Just like the Holy Spirit came upon Christ at His Baptism Our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit We receive the three theological virtues Gives us both Sanctifying and actual grace

6. Baptism of Desire God gave ways for those who have not received Baptism to make it to Heaven Baptism of Desire For those who are sorry for their sins, cooperate with God’s grace, and try their best to please Him as they best know how Different situations where this might happen There is no one to Baptize them They die before they are able to be Baptized They truly don’t know about Baptism or its necessity But they would receive it if they knew about it

7. Baptism of Blood When someone gives up his life as a martyr Even if not actually Baptized yet They are making the commitment to Christ