Whether the Effect of Baptism Is to Open the Gates of the Heavenly
Kingdom?
Objection 1: It seems that it is not the effect of Baptism, to open
the gates of the heavenly kingdom. For what is already opened needs
no opening. But the gates of the heavenly kingdom were opened by
Christ's Passion: hence it is written (Apoc. 4:1): "After these
things I looked and behold (a great) door was opened in heaven."
Therefore it is not the effect of Baptism, to open the gates of the
heavenly kingdom.
Obj. 2: Further, Baptism has had its effects ever since it was
instituted. But some were baptized with Christ's Baptism, before His
Passion, according to John 3:22, 26: and if they had died then, the
gates of the heavenly kingdom would not have been opened to them,
since none entered therein before Christ, according to Mic. 2:13: "He
went up [Vulg.: 'shall go up'] that shall open the way before them."
Therefore it is not the effect of Baptism, to open the gates of the
heavenly kingdom.
Obj. 3: Further, the baptized are still subject to death and the
other penalties of the present life, as stated above (A. 3). But
entrance to the heavenly kingdom is opened to none that are subject
to punishment: as is clear in regard to those who are in purgatory.
Therefore it is not the effect of Baptism, to open the gates of the
heavenly kingdom.
_On the contrary,_ on Luke 3:21, "Heaven was opened," the gloss of
Bede says: "We see here the power of Baptism; from which when a man
comes forth, the gates of the heavenly kingdom are opened unto him."
_I answer that,_ To open the gates of the heavenly kingdom is to
remove the obstacle that prevents one from entering therein. Now this
obstacle is guilt and the debt of punishment. But it has been shown
above (AA. 1, 2) that all guilt and also all debt of punishment are
taken away by Baptism. It follows, therefore, that the effect of
Baptism is to open the gates of the heavenly kingdom.
Reply Obj. 1: Baptism opens the gates of the heavenly kingdom to the
baptized in so far as it incorporates them in the Passion of Christ,
by applying its power to man.
Reply Obj. 2: When Christ's Passion was not as yet consummated
actually but only in the faith of believers, Baptism proportionately
caused the gates to be opened, not in fact but in hope. For the
baptized who died then looked forward, with a sure hope, to enter the
heavenly kingdom.
Reply Obj. 3: The baptized are subject to death and the penalties of
the present life, not by reason of a personal debt of punishment but
by reason of the state of their nature. And therefore this is no bar
to their entrance to the heavenly kingdom, when death severs the soul
from the body; since they have paid, as it were, the debt of nature.
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