Does baptism change your religious faith?

Answer 1

Yes it does and no not exactly.

Here is an example how: You don't believe in God, you decide to accept the Lord Jesus as your Lord and savior, you need to be repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

So the actual act of the baptism, did not change your faith but when you become a believer you need to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.

So, actually it does not because you made the decision first, but, being baptized is being obedient to God. They go Hand-in-Hand, so in that respect it does. You believe (step 1) and then are baptized (step 2).

Answer 2

Baptism is merely a symbol, showing that you have accepted Christ as your Savior and have been washed clean of all your sin. I'm not trying to say it's a bad thing. I am trying to help you understand that baptism will not and cannot save you.

According to the New Testament:

1) Baptism washes away ones sins (Acts 22:16)

2) Baptism saves one from eternal condemnation (Mark 16:16)

3) Baptism avails one of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

4) When one is baptized, the Lord adds him/her to the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

5) Only in baptism does one "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27)

There are many other very important New Testament references to baptism; these references most directly refer to the specific question at hand.

Roman Catholic AnswerFrom the Catechism: "Baptism is ... call[ed] gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift." (see below - bolded blue)

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

The Sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, a person is cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to everlasting life. (Etym. Latin ba;tisma; from Greek baptisma, a dipping.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which give access to the other sacraments. through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God' we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made shares in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

　

1214 This sacrament if 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."

　

1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." 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:

Baptism 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 guilt; 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.

1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:

- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;

- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;

- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.

Answer 3

Baptism does not change you, per se. It is an outward symbol of salvation. It has no powers in itself. It symbolizes the washing away of your sins. Jesus command us to baptize new believers. He also commanded us to partake in communion. But, likewise, it has no special "powers." Both are outward expressions of an inward change brought on through salvation in Jesus Christ.

Roman Catholic AnswerBaptism is a complete change, making you a child of God, capable of pleasing Him and of obtaining salvation. It constitutes you as a completely different being in your soul making you able to participate in the other sacraments. Without baptism you remain subject to the disordered passions you inherited with original sin.

Answer 4

Yes! Religion can be changed throughout your life