Baptism in Scripture

I believe that understanding Catholic doctrine is the key to understanding Scripture.   For example, lets take Baptism.  


What is Baptism?  The word itself means "washing".  


Speaking in a natural sense, it means to "wash in water".  However, Jesus Christ used it in a supernatural sense to express the idea that the Holy Spirit, who is sometimes referred to as "Living Water", washes our souls.


The Catholic doctrine speaks thus:

1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."⁶

1215 This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God."⁷

1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding . . . ."⁸ Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself:⁹Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.¹⁰

Scripture says:

John 3:5King James Version (KJV)⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That is a description of Baptism.  If you understand the Traditions of the Catholic Church, you recognize it right away.  Look at CCC#1214 and CCC#1215.    It is a washing of the Holy Spirit.  And it is symbolized by the water.

Scripture also says:

Titus 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Compare to CCC#1215.  Now, you might object, "the CCC was written in the 20th century!"  This understanding comes to us from the Father of the Church.  They understood that the Washing of Regeneration is a euphemism for Baptism.

Justin Martyr

As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, and instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we pray and fast with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father... and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit [Matt. 28:19], they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, "Unless you are born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (First Apology 61 [A.D. 151]).

That was written in AD 151.  The ink on the Bible was not yet dry when that was written.

There are other references to Baptism which are likewise hard to find without an understanding of Catholic doctrine.  Here's another:

Ephesians 5:26
King James Version (KJV)
²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 You might recognize the washing of water, but what is the reference to the word?  It is this:

Matthew 28:19
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

This is the word which must be pronounced in order for one to be validly baptized into Christ's Body, the Church: 

1239 The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.

1240 In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister's words: "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says: "The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again.

Sincerely,

De Maria