What relationship with God is begun at Baptism?

Mission Lab

Baptism (1) permanently relates us to God as His adopted children, and (2) joins us to Christ’s priesthood and His prophetic and kingly mission.

1. Baptism permanently relates us to God as His adopted children.

This relationship or bond can never be erased. Baptism is directed toward acquiring the fullness of life in Christ, that is, toward a complete profession of faith, a complete incorporation into the system of Salvation, and an integration into Eucharistic communion. For those who have reached the age of reason, both faith in Jesus Christ and the desire to follow Him in His Church are necessary for Baptism.

2. Baptism joins us to Christ’s priesthood and His prophetic and kingly mission.

As the People of God, we share in the kingly and priestly office of Christ because, by regeneration in Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we are consecrated into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood. Through good works we can offer spiritual sacrifices.

We share in Christ’s prophetic office by being living witnesses to Him, by means of a life of faith and charity, and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise. As Christians we should act, by the example of our lives, as the transformed persons we became at Baptism. We are children of God and followers of Jesus Christ.