As far as I understand, non-catholic baptims (the immersion ones) are just done in regular water.
Is the fact that catholics use "holy water" ever supported in the Bible, or is it unbiblical?
2007-10-28 20:05:11 · 9 answers · asked by Delfina D 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholic "holy water" is simply water blessed by the priest. Holy water to my knowledge was never referred to in the bible. The presence of holy men to anoint and baptise was enough to make it of religious significance.
2007-10-28 20:12:50 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Sally Anne 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, it is different. Holy water was used by the Jews in the rites of purification so it is Biblical. In fact, the Bible uses water as a symbol for the cleansing of the soul from sin. (Ezekiel 16,4.9; Ephesians 5,26; Hebrews 10,22; 1 John 5,6,8)
The early church also used holy water for blessing things and people.
Holy water is used for baptism and rites of blessing and purification. Originally, holy water blessed at the Easter Vigil was kept throughout the entire year for these purposes. Now, with the appearance of large parishes, the logistics of storing this water for later use is almost insurmountable. Currently, blessed "Easter water" is used in the parish during the Easter season. After the season is ended, water is blessed every time the need arises.
2007-10-28 23:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholics make use of holy water because the church enjoys the God given power and authority to officially consecrate people and things to God's service.
A blessing administered by God's authentic church is a blessing indeed.
As for whether it's biblical, do a bible search on the word "blessed" and you'll find people and things being blessed by God and by others who were appointed by God, over 300 times.
2007-10-28 23:07:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Holy water has been blessed by a Catholic priest who was ordained in the name of Jesus Christ by the laying on of hands in an unbroken line going back to the original Apostles.
God blessed:
+ Fish and birds in Genesis 1:22
+ Land animals and man in Genesis 1:28
+ Children, crops, livestodk in Deuteronomy 28:4
King David:
+ Asks God to bless his house in 2 Samuel 7:29
+ Blesses his household in 1 Chronicles 16:43
Jesus continually said the blessing over meals: Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. (Luke 9:16)
Sacramentals are sacred signs that help us live holy lives. Although they do not produce sanctifying grace
Sacramentals include blessings of persons, meals, objects (including water), and places.
The priest blesses the congregation during Mass.
Christians bless their meals. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts, ..."
Priests bless water, animals, ships, homes, and even automobiles. "God bless this home and all those who enter here."
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1667 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt4.htm#art1
With love in Christ.
2007-10-29 18:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Holy Water is a sacramental- a blessed item meant to encourage us to be holy. It has a small amount of salt added and is blessed by a priest.
It reminds us of our baptism.
2007-10-29 12:03:06 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One of the definitions of "holy" is to be set apart for a specific use. Water is water, whether you're baptised in a horse trough, or a hole dug in the desert floor, or an ornate baptistry, or the Jordan river. What is important is what has taken place in your heart, for which baptism is a symbol.
2007-10-28 20:24:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
So holy water comes from a priest blessing the water huh? I never knew that. So by extension, a priest blessing a pack of Marlboros, is that where we get "holy smokes"?
I really don't want to know where "holy sh*t" comes from...
2007-10-28 20:25:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
What makes some water molecules "holy," other water molecules not holy?
2007-10-28 20:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by kwxilvr 4 · 1⤊ 6⤋
There is no such thing as Holy water.
2007-10-28 20:08:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋