Which statement describes the founding of baptism?

Which statement describes the founding of baptism?

• A. On Easter Sunday.
• B. At Pentecost.
• C. In the Jordan River, after Jesus was baptized.
• D. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, He sent out His apostles to do likewise.

Answer: (D)

The founding of baptism is tied to Christ’s actions and command. Jesus’ own baptism in the Jordan marks the beginning of his public ministry and serves as the model of purification and new life that baptism represents. Immediately after, he commissions his apostles to continue the practice: to go and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That pairing—Jesus’ baptism as the example and his command to the apostles to do likewise—is the moment the Church recognizes as the foundation of the sacrament of baptism. The other moments (Easter, Pentecost) are pivotal events, but they do not alone establish the practice of baptizing as Jesus commanded it.

The founding of baptism is tied to Christ’s actions and command. Jesus’ own baptism in the Jordan marks the beginning of his public ministry and serves as the model of purification and new life that baptism represents. Immediately after, he commissions his apostles to continue the practice: to go and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That pairing—Jesus’ baptism as the example and his command to the apostles to do likewise—is the moment the Church recognizes as the foundation of the sacrament of baptism. The other moments (Easter, Pentecost) are pivotal events, but they do not alone establish the practice of baptizing as Jesus commanded it.