The Heidelberg
Catechism
Question 71. Where has Christ promised us, that he
will as certainly wash us by his blood and Spirit, as we are washed with the
water of baptism?
Answer: In the institution of baptism, which
is thus expressed: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost",
Matt.28:19. And "he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but
he that believeth not, shall be damned.", Mark 16:16. This promise is also
repeated, where the scripture calls baptism "the washing of
regenerations" and the washing away of sins. Tit.3:5, Acts 22:16. (a)
(a) Tit.3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise,
and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
27. Lord's Day
Question 72. Is then the external baptism with
water the washing away of sin itself?
Answer: Not at all: (a) for the blood of Jesus
Christ only, and the Holy Ghost cleanse us from all sin. (b)
(a) 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: 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: Eph.5:26 That he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph.5:27 That he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (b) 1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 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.
Question 73. Why then does the Holy Ghost call
baptism "the washing of regeneration," and "the washing away of
sins"?
Answer: God speaks thus not without great
cause, to-wit, not only thereby to teach us, that as the filth of the body is
purged away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus
Christ; (a) but especially that by this divine pledge and sign he may assure
us, that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really, as we are
externally washed with water. (b)
(a) 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. 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. (b) Mark 16:16 He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Gal.3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Question 74. Are infants also to be baptized?
Answer: Yes: for since they, as well as the
adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; (a) and since redemption
from sin (b) by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith,
is promised to them no less than to the adult; (c) they must therefore by
baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the christian church;
and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers (d) as was done in the
old covenant or testament by circumcision, (e) instead of which baptism is
instituted (f) in the new covenant.
(a) Gen.17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me
and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting
covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (b) Matt.19:14 But
Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for
of such is the kingdom of heaven. (c) Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the
sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall
be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. Ps.22:10 I was cast
upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Isa.44:1 Yet
now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isa.44:2 Thus
saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help
thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
Isa.44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the
dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring: Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to
all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (d) Acts
10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (e) Gen.17:14 And the uncircumcised man
child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut
off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. (f) Col.2:11 In whom also ye
are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the
body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 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. Col.2:13 And you,
being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened
together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Of The Holy
Supper Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
28. Lord's Day
Question 75. How art thou admonished and assured in
the Lord's Supper, that thou art a partaker of that one sacrifice of Christ,
accomplished on the cross, and of all his benefits?
Answer: Thus: That Christ has commanded me and
all believers, to eat of this broken bread, and to drink of this cup, in
remembrance of him, adding these promises: (a) first, that his body was offered
and broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as certainly as I
see with my eyes, the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated
to me; and further, that he feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life,
with his crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly as I receive from the
hands of the minister, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord,
as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ.
(a) Matt.26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,
and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take,
eat; this is my body. Matt.26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave
it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Matt.26:28 For this is my blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mark 14:22 And
as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them,
and said, Take, eat: this is my body. Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when
he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. Mark 14:24
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
many. Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me. Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This
cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 1 Cor.10:16 The
cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1
Cor.10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
partakers of that one bread. 1 Cor.11:23 For I have received of the Lord that
which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he
was betrayed took bread: 1 Cor.11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it,
and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in
remembrance of me. 1 Cor.11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when
he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 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.
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