The Heidelberg Catechism Part II: Deliverance The Holy Sacraments, Baptism, part 2 Lord’s Day 27
Question 72: Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins?
Answer 72: No, only Jesus Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins. [1]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Matthew 3:11 NKJV I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
1 Peter 3:21 NKJV There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 John 1:7 NKJV But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Q 73: Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
A 73: God has good reason for these words. To begin with, God wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ take away our sins just as water removes dirt from the body. [1] But more important, God wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that we are as truly washed of our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water physically. [2]
[1] 1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Revelation 1:5 NKJV and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 7:14 NKJV And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
[2] Acts 2:38 NKJV Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:3-4 NKJV Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Galatians 3:27 NKJV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Q 74: Should infants also be baptized?
A 74: Yes. Infants as well as adults are included in God’s covenant and people, [1] and they, no less than adults, are promised deliverance from sin through Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. [2] Therefore, by baptism, the sign of the covenant, they too should be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. [3] This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, [4] which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism. [5]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Genesis 17:7 NKJV And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
Matthew 19:14 NKJV But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
[2] Isaiah 44:1-3 NKJV "Yet hear me now, O Jacob My servant, And Israel whom I have chosen. (2) Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. (3) For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;
Acts 2:38-39 NKJV Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Acts 16:31 NKJV So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
[3] Acts 10:47 NKJV "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
1 Corinthians 7:14 NKJV For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
[4] Genesis 17:9-14 NKJV And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. (10) This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; (11) and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. (12) He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. (13) He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (14) And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."
[5] Colossians 2:11-13 NKJV In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, (12) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
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