Holy Sacraments: Its general effect and Baptism
As a whole, what are the effects of the sacraments on human beings?
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church gives importance to the seven sacraments ordained by God. Through the Sacraments, God shares His holiness with people so that they, in turn, can make the world holier. The seven sacraments include all the stages and important moments in an individual’s Christian life. Every time people take part in these holy sacraments, they receive a gift of sanctifying grace and salvation. It is also a channel to have an intimate connection with God and continue to express faith as well as worship Him. It is not just mere symbols or signs but they are the promise committed together with Christ. Whoever believes in Him will receive eternal life and attains forgiveness. Original sin committed by the original parents, Adam and Eve, will be washed away and people will enjoy the new life that God has given them. God is always with the people and always the witness of every celebration and event that is happening in their lives. He is the center of all. As the body of a believer became the temple of the holy spirit, he/she is now able to live a renewed life as a child of God as well as an official member of the Church. Thus, through these sacraments, we reconcile, repent to God as well as healed by Him.
As a human being who believes in Christ, why is it baptism become essential in life?
Baptism becomes an essential part of life as a believer of Christ because it is where we begin our official journey with God. Once we are baptized with water, we are now reborn as children of God and enjoy the grace that He has given us. Peter 3:21, gives the importance of the baptism and says "And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ." It is an act of obedience to God to follow His example and honor Him for giving us a new life as His child. We participate in this act not because it is required but because we have to for us to be saved. It is one of the ways to become one with God and to live a life away from the old sinful self. Thus, baptism is essential for salvation, and through it, sins are forgiven, faith has strengthened and was renewed. But without our faith, the conversion is not possible and is useless. You cannot be transformed into a new person if there’s no faith. Likewise, as was written in the book of James 2:17,26 consecutively it was reiterated the importance of action over faith, says “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” In the same way, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”