Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore ...we are members of one another" (Cor.6:15). Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the Baptismal font is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1Cor.12:13).
The Baptized become "living stones' to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood" (1Pet.2:5).
By Baptism we share in the priesthood of Christ, in his profetic and royal mission. "We are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that we may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Pet.2:9). Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood to all believers.
Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us (1Cor.6:19). From now on he is called to serve others in the communion of the Church, He is to hold the Church's leaders in respect and affection.
Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties but the baptized person also enjoys many rights and priveleges. We have the right to receive the other sacraments, to be nourished with the word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church" (LG 37).
"Reborn as sons and daughters of God, the baptized must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church" and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God (LG 11).
