One Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

I was baptized as an infant, a moment that set me free from original sin and began my new life in Christ. It bestowed sanctifying grace and left an indelible mark on my soul.

I believe in one baptism. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark of belonging to Christ. Given once and for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

St. Paul says, “One Lord, one faith, one Baptism.” By confessing in “one Baptism,” we confess, or state our faith that there is only one way to enter the Church.

Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church recognizes the validity of baptisms performed in most Christian denominations, provided they use water and the Trinitarian formula with the intention of baptizing into the Christian faith. This recognition underscores the doctrine of one baptism.

A “conditional baptism” occurs when there are doubts about whether a valid baptism took place, perhaps due to uncertainty about the correct formula, the use of the right matter (water), or the intent of the baptizer and the baptized. 

I profess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. This doctrine is rooted in Our Lord's words: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved,” demonstrating the connection between baptism and forgiveness.

The Creed links ‘the forgiveness of sins’ with its profession of faith in the Holy Spirit, for the risen Christ entrusted to the apostles the power to forgive sins when he gave them the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

According to St. Paul, through Baptism, the believer enters into communion with Christ's death, is buried with Him, and rises with Him.

By descending into the water, one participates in Christ’s death, dying to past sins. Emerging from the water, one rises to new life, sharing in the resurrection of Jesus.

For the baptized, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, though certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death, weaknesses of character, as well as concupiscence – an inclination to sin.

By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized and exercises it through bishops and priests, normally in the sacrament of Penance.

The sacrament of confession, a 'second baptism,' draws its power from baptism and renews the original baptism. It is the means by which the baptized are cleansed, preserving the white garment of their Christian dignity.

To sum up, in Catholic theology, baptism is the sacrament through which God forgives sins, including original sin, and grants the baptized person new life in Christ, making them a member of the Church. 

By confessing in “one Baptism,” we confess, or state our faith or adherence to, that there is only one way to enter the Church.