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| Heidelberg, Germany |
The Heidelberg
Catechism
Question 66. What are the sacraments?Answer: The sacraments are holy visible signs
and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof, he may the
more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel, viz., that he
grants us freely the remission of sin, and life eternal, for the sake of that
one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross. (a)
(a) Gen.17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your
foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. Rom.4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the
faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all
them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be
imputed unto them also: Deut.30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine
heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Lev.6:25 Speak unto Aaron and
to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where
the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD:
it is most holy. Heb.9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once
every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors
of the people: Heb.9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the
holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: Heb.9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service
perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Heb.9:24 For Christ is not entered
into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but
into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Ezek.20:12
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that
they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. Isa.6:6 Then flew one of
the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with
the tongs from off the altar: Isa.6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,
Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin
purged. Isa.54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn
that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that
I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Question 67. Are both word and sacraments, then,
ordained and appointed for this end, that they may direct our faith to the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as the only ground of our salvation?
(a)
Answer: Yes, indeed: for the Holy Ghost
teaches us in the gospel, and assures us by the sacraments, that the whole of
our salvation depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ which he offered for us
on the cross.
(a) Rom.6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Gal.3:27 For as many
of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Question 68. How many sacraments has Christ
instituted in the new covenant, or testament?
Answer: Two: namely, holy baptism, and the
holy supper.
Of Holy Baptism
26. Lord's Day
Question 69. How art thou admonished and assured by
holy baptism, that the one sacrifice of Christ upon the cross is of real
advantage to thee?
Answer: Thus: That Christ appointed this
external washing with water, (a) adding thereto this promise, (b) that I am as
certainly washed by his blood and Spirit from all the pollution of my soul,
that is, from all my sins, (c) as I am washed externally with water, by which
the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.
(a) Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: (b) Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Acts 2:38 Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. Matt.3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he
that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Mark 16:16 He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned. John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with
water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending,
and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Rom.6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death? Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (c) 1 Pet.3:21 The like
figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of
the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ: Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and
preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Luke 3:3 And he
came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for
the remission of sins;
Question 70. What is it to be washed with the blood
and Spirit of Christ?
Answer: It is to receive of God the remission
of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ's blood, which he shed for us by his
sacrifice upon the cross; (a) and also to be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and
sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin,
and lead holy and unblamable lives. (b)
(a) Heb.12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that
of Abel. 1 Pet.1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Rev.1:5 And
from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the
dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in his own blood, Rev.7:14 And I said unto him, Sir,
thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. Zech.13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house
of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
Ezek.36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean:
from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (b) John
1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same
said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on
him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. John 3:5 Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 1 Cor.6:11 And such were
some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor.12:13 For by
one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life. Col.2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein
also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath
raised him from the dead.
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