Expert: Fr. Michael - 12/15/2008

Question
What exactly does it mean in the Nicene Creed when we say we believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins? Does that mean we don't believe that the sins of Protestants and Orthodox get forgiven?

Answer
The phrase is reminiscent of St. Paul Epistle to the Ephesians at chapter 4, in which the unity and singularity of God and his Sacraments is indicated.  Also, the grace that man experiences in Baptism is unique and unrepeatable, just as his natural birth is unique and unrepeatable, and just as Christ's Death and Resurrection are unique.

As to the issue of vincible or invincible ignorance of Protestants and Orthodox, see the article "Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus" in the Library of Files (FAQs and Traditional Apologetics) department of the TRADITIO Network, www.traditio.com.  Information on this topic is covered there in FAQ10.