We continue the discussion of Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood, by additional quotes from the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. St. Augustine, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church:
“Those who die for the confession of Christ without having received the
laver of regeneration (baptism), are released thereby from their sins just
as much as if they had been cleansed by the sacred spring of baptism.
For he who said. ‘Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy
Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,’ (John 3:5) by another
statement made exceptions to this when He said no less comprehensively:
‘Everyone…that shall confess me before men, I will confess before my
Father who is in heaven.’ (Matthew 10.32).”
St. Thomas Aquinas whose authority in matters of theology goes largely undisputed:
…baptism of water has its efficacy from Christ’s passion, to which a man is conformed by baptism, and also from the Holy Ghost as first cause. Now although the effect depends on the first cause, the cause far surpasses the effect, nor does it depend on it. Consequently, a man may, without baptism of water, receive the sacramental effect from Christ’s passion, in so far as he is conformed to Christ by suffering for Him. Hence it is written (Apocalypse 7:14): ‘these are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ In like manner a man receives the effect of baptism by the power of the Holy Ghost, not only without baptism of water, but also without baptism of blood; forasmuch as his heart is moved by the Holy Ghost to believe in and love God and to repent of his sins; wherefore this is also called the baptism of repentance… Thus, these other baptisms are called baptism, forasmuch as it takes the place of baptism.” St. Bonaventure, also a Doctor of the Church:
“There are three distinct forms of Baptism, namely that of fire, that of water
and that of blood. Baptism of fire is that provided by repentance and the
grace of the Holy Spirit and purifies from sin. In Baptism of water, we are
both purified from sin and absolved of all temporal punishment due to sin.
In baptism of blood, we are purified from all misery.”
To be continued.