According to Catholic Education Resource Centre (1998), the sacrament of Baptism is defined as, "...the sacrament of supernatural rebirth or regeneration." Whilst Catholic Australia states that
Baptism is the introduction of a person into the Church community. Through the waters of Baptism the person enters into the life of God - Father, Son and Spirit. He or she is dedicated to God and all that is good. (Catholic Australia, 2014)
As Baptism is the where a person is introduced into the Catholic community, is it also the first sacrament a person needs to take part in before being able to receive any of the other seven sacraments. With both infant/child baptism as well as adult, this sacrament has a material sign of water as it is used as a sign of welcoming the person into the church and God's life.
Baptism is the introduction of a person into the Church community. Through the waters of Baptism the person enters into the life of God - Father, Son and Spirit. He or she is dedicated to God and all that is good. (Catholic Australia, 2014)
As Baptism is the where a person is introduced into the Catholic community, is it also the first sacrament a person needs to take part in before being able to receive any of the other seven sacraments. With both infant/child baptism as well as adult, this sacrament has a material sign of water as it is used as a sign of welcoming the person into the church and God's life.