ACC ~ Mark 16 v16

WHY THE CATECHETICAL PRÉCIS OF BAPTISMAL FAITH IS SO BRIEF

AUGUSTINE: The ecumenically received faith is taught in the creed and committed to memory in a form of the utmost possible brevity, so as to frame an expression in few words of that which was intended to be explained at large afterwards to persons in a state of formation and advancement in knowledge of God. OF FAITH AND THE CREED 1. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0293, 1.1.3.13; GMI 450*. The rule of faith provided at baptism summarizes the faith.

WHETHER BAPTISMAL FAITH ASSURES SALVATION

AUGUSTINE: We know that the dead who die in the Lord are blessed, [1] and they have no concern with what they would have done if they had lived a longer time. [2] We know that those who believe in the Lord from their own heart do this of their own will and free choice. We who now believe act rightly when we pray to God for those who refuse to believe, and pray that they themselves may in time freely will to believe. LETTER 217, TO VITALIS. [3]

[1] Cf. Rev 14:13.

[2] It is a speculative question about which the faithful need not fret as to whether if they had lived longer they would have continued in faith.

[3] Cetedoc 0262, 217.57.5.416.1; FC 32:87**. Those living in faith are right to pray for unbelievers that they themselves may freely choose to believe.