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Objection 1: It seems that in Baptism it is not necessary for
someone to raise the baptized from the sacred font. For our Baptism
is consecrated by Christ's Baptism and is conformed thereto. But
Christ when baptized was not raised by anyone from the font, but
according to Mt. 3:16, "Jesus being baptized, forthwith came
out of the water." Therefore it seems that neither when others are
baptized should anyone raise the baptized from the sacred font.
Objection 2: Further, Baptism is a spiritual regeneration, as
stated above (Article 3). But in carnal generation nothing else is
required but the active principle, i.e. the father, and the passive
principle, i.e. the mother. Since, then, in Baptism he that
baptizes takes the place of the father, while the very water of
Baptism takes the place of the mother, as Augustine says in a sermon
on the Epiphany (cxxxv); it seems that there is no further need for
someone to raise the baptized from the sacred font.
Objection 3: Further, nothing ridiculous should be observed in the
sacraments of the Church. But it seems ridiculous that after being
baptized, adults who can stand up of themselves and leave the sacred
font, should be held up by another. Therefore there seems no need for
anyone, especially in the Baptism of adults, to raise the baptized
from the sacred font.
On the contrary, Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. ii) that "the
priests taking the baptized hand him over to his sponsor and guide."
I answer that, The spiritual regeneration, which takes place in
Baptism, is in a certain manner likened to carnal generation:
wherefore it is written (1 Pt. 2:2): "As new-born babes,
endowed with reason desire milk without guile." Now, in carnal
generation the new-born child needs nourishment and guidance:
wherefore, in spiritual generation also, someone is needed to
undertake the office of nurse and tutor by forming and instructing one
who is yet a novice in the Faith, concerning things pertaining to
Christian faith and mode of life, which the clergy have not the
leisure to do through being busy with watching over the people
generally: because little children and novices need more than ordinary
care. Consequently someone is needed to receive the baptized from the
sacred font as though for the purpose of instructing and guiding them.
It is to this that Dionysius refers (Eccl. Hier. xi) saying:
"It occurred to our heavenly guides," i.e. the Apostles, "and
they decided, that infants should be taken charge of thus: that the
parents of the child should hand it over to some instructor versed in
holy things, who would thenceforth take charge of the child, and be to
it a spiritual father and a guide in the road of salvation."
Reply to Objection 1: Christ was baptized not that He might be
regenerated, but that He might regenerate others: wherefore after
His Baptism He needed no tutor like other children.
Reply to Objection 2: In carnal generation nothing is essential
besides a father and a mother: yet to ease the latter in her travail,
there is need for a midwife; and for the child to be suitably brought
up there is need for a nurse and a tutor: while their place is taken in
Baptism by him who raises the child from the sacred font.
Consequently this is not essential to the sacrament, and in a case of
necessity one alone can baptize with water.
Reply to Objection 3: It is not on account of bodily weakness that
the baptized is raised from the sacred font by the godparent, but on
account of spiritual weakness, as stated above.
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