Some Catholic Q&A for today's feast day- save this post to have a simple and quick answer ready to go!
//"What was the Baptism of John?"
Saint Thomas Aquinas says the Baptism of John had four purposes:
To sanctify water for Baptism
To announce Christ to the crowds
To prepare the Jewish people for Christ’s coming
To draw John’s followers to repentance so they would more readily follow Jesus
// "How is Christian Baptism different?"
John's Baptism was one of repentance and preparation. Christian Baptism has the effects of...
Forgiveness of all sins, including original sin and its punishments.
Becoming children of God, partakers in the Divine Nature, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
Receiving sanctifying grace and justification.
Sharing in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and royal mission.
Makes us members of the Church, called to obey its teachings, participate in the life of the Church, and able to receive the Sacraments.
Calls us to profess our faith and participate in the Church's mission (Matthew 28:19)
Unites all baptized Christians, even those who are not yet in full communion with Christ's Church. "Baptism constitutes the sacramental bond of unity among all reborn."
Sealing one's soul with an indelible spiritual mark, making their identity as children of God permanent.
Baptism is the seal of eternal life.
//"Why was Jesus Baptized?"
These reasons can be broken down into three ways (thanks to my priest's homily this morning...):
Sanctifying the Waters: Jesus, in being Baptized, sanctified water as a means of redemption and renewal.
Inaugurating the Kingdom of God: John preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Jesus fulfilled this message in His Baptism, John having proclaimed Him as the "one who is coming."
Foreshadowing the Passion: Jesus’ Baptism foreshadowed His Death and Resurrection. The Catechism says, "Immersion in water symbolizes death, purification, regeneration, and renewal." Our own Baptism reminds us of death and Eternal Life.
This is a super basic overview, so if you have more questions, drop them in the comments!
(Originally posted on @the_little_apologist Instagram on 1/12/2025)
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