Whether Sinners Who Are Going to Be Baptized Are Bound to Confess
Their Sins?
Objection 1: It seems that sinners who are going to be baptized are
bound to confess their sins. For it is written (Matt. 3:6) that many
"were baptized" by John "in the Jordan confessing their sins." But
Christ's Baptism is more perfect than John's. Therefore it seems that
there is yet greater reason why they who are about to receive
Christ's Baptism should confess their sins.
Obj. 2: Further, it is written (Prov. 28:13): "He that hideth his
sins, shall not prosper; but he that shall confess and forsake them,
shall obtain mercy." Now for this is a man baptized, that he may
obtain mercy for his sins. Therefore those who are going to be
baptized should confess their sins.
Obj. 3: Further, Penance is required before Baptism, according to
Acts 2:38: "Do penance and be baptized every one of you." But
confession is a part of Penance. Therefore it seems that confession
of sins should take place before Baptism.
_On the contrary,_ Confession of sins should be sorrowful: thus
Augustine says (De Vera et Falsa Poenit. xiv): "All these
circumstances should be taken into account and deplored." Now, as
Ambrose says on Rom. 11:29, "the grace of God requires neither sighs
nor groans in Baptism." Therefore confession of sins should not be
required of those who are going to be baptized.
_I answer that,_ Confession of sins is twofold. One is made inwardly
to God: and such confession of sins is required before Baptism: in
other words, man should call his sins to mind and sorrow for them;
since "he cannot begin the new life, except he repent of his former
life," as Augustine says in his book on Penance (Serm. cccli). The
other is the outward confession of sins, which is made to a priest;
and such confession is not required before Baptism. First, because
this confession, since it is directed to the person of the minister,
belongs to the sacrament of Penance, which is not required before
Baptism, which is the door of all the sacraments. Secondly, because
the reason why a man makes outward confession to a priest, is that
the priest may absolve him from his sins, and bind him to works of
satisfaction, which should not be enjoined on the baptized, as stated
above (A. 5). Moreover those who are being baptized do not need to be
released from their sins by the keys of the Church, since all are
forgiven them in Baptism. Thirdly, because the very act of confession
made to a man is penal, by reason of the shame it inflicts on the one
confessing: whereas no exterior punishment is enjoined on a man who
is being baptized.
Therefore no special confession of sins is required of those who are
being baptized; but that general confession suffices which they make
when in accordance with the Church's ritual they "renounce Satan and
all his works." And in this sense a gloss explains Matt. 3:6, saying
that in John's Baptism "those who are going to be baptized learn that
they should confess their sins and promise to amend their life."
If, however, any persons about to be baptized, wish, out of devotion,
to confess their sins, their confession should be heard; not for the
purpose of enjoining them to do satisfaction, but in order to
instruct them in the spiritual life as a remedy against their vicious
habits.
Reply Obj. 1: Sins were not forgiven in John's Baptism, which,
however, was the Baptism of Penance. Consequently it was fitting that
those who went to receive that Baptism, should confess their sins, so
that they should receive a penance in proportion to their sins. But
Christ's Baptism is without outward penance, as Ambrose says (on Rom.
11:29); and therefore there is no comparison.
Reply Obj. 2: It is enough that the baptized make inward confession
to God, and also an outward general confession, for them to "prosper
and obtain mercy": and they need no special outward confession, as
stated above.
Reply Obj. 3: Confession is a part of sacramental Penance, which is
not required before Baptism, as stated above: but the inward virtue
of Penance is required.
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