NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using the Catechism Book

Of the Sacraments Continuation of Holy Baptism

Lesson 37

Before we pass on to the lesson of the Holy Lord’s supper we must discuss some questions about Baptism.

We were taught last week that Baptism is an institution of Christ; May men despise or neglect it?

No, for then they despise God Himself Who has given commandment to use it.

However, it could possibly happen that someone does not despise it and yet neglects it or rather will not submit to it. Under what conditions might this be tolerated?

Well, when men live in times of persecution and there is no opportunity to baptize children and men are forced to omit the Sacrament, would that be considered a sin of despite?

No, because it is omitted of necessity.

Another thing Hellenbroek asks is: What is the significance of immersion or sprinkling with water?

Answer: The washing away of sins by the blood and Spirit of Christ.

If a new-born child dies before it has been baptized it would surely die unsaved, would it not?

No, that is not the thought of Hellenbroek.

New-born children can die without salvation, but it is not because they are unbaptized. If it was so, then it would be necessary to consider that all baptized children will be saved. One as well as the other is contrary to the teaching of God’s Word.

All children, who are baptized and receive salvation, are saved out of free grace through the merits of Christ. Contrariwise, all children who have never been baptized and die lost are lost by reason of original sin. The administration of baptism in itself does not save nor does the lack of it condemn.

But what does Hellenbroek mean, then, when he says that the baptism by dipping in or sprinkling signifies the washing away of sin by the blood and Spirit of Christ? We ought first to recite the questions remaining of last week.

Question 6. How many benefits are sealed by baptism?

Answer? Two, justification by the blood of Christ and sanctification by His Spirit.

Question 7. Can water itself wash away sin?

Answer: No. I John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

We found out last week that the Roman Catholics believe that baptism removes original sin, and for that reason their children must be baptized directly after birth and in case of emergency by a lay person.

Naturally, this position is strongly disapproved by all Protestants. Generally, men confess, as yet, that it is not baptism but grace in Christ that takes away original sin. But even so, there is a great number of deceivers (in the Netherlands) who hold views on baptism different from what God’s Word teaches us. We have stated before: Baptism is a sign. The Lord says by this sign, “As surely as the water washes the body of uncleanness, so does the blood of Christ wash the soul of uncleanness.”

It is not meant by this that anyone receiving baptism is washed of his sins, no, it is meant as a sign that god also washes away the sins of His people through Christ. Also it is a sign for His people that: As surely as the sign is administered, so surely, do they have a portion in the matter being signified. But this is true only for those who have been made spiritually alive by the Holy Spirit and, therefore, not alone to those who belong to the Israelitish race.

It is too bad that this matter is misrepresented. And because there are men who do this openly from pulpits and in writing books, I want to warn you in a very frank manner. To which teaching am I referring? To the doctrine that Dr. Kuyper has propagated in regard to baptism. Among the many books he has written is one entitled: “Voor de Distel een Mirt”. This book deals exclusively with baptism, confession and the Lord’s Supper.

He devotes one whole chapter to the three questions asked at baptism and in it uses these exact words: “And you present your child for baptism, not as though it is without Christ but as sanctified in Christ. You are not absolutely sure of this because the Lord did not give a special revelation for that, but you are to consider your little one as such, and because of that and on that basis, you request Christian baptism for this member of Christ’s Church.”

Continuing on in this chapter to the question whether the parents promise and intend to bring them up properly:

“What can you do to bring up your child and how can you urge them to conversion unless you make this your supposition; that your rearing of the child is preceded by God’s Grace? Or have you ever given thought to this, that, if your child was still dead in sins and trespasses, you could contribute something with your bringing up of the child?

You can be sure that you could not.

And so there is a firm supposition accompanying the rearing of every baptized child that a hidden and undeveloped grace is sheltered within, and that your bringing up serves very poorly to water that hidden seed in the garden of your child’s heart and to remove the weeds that tend to choke out the hidden seed of grace.”

Dr. Kuyper speaks very plainly about this in his book entitled “Voor de Distel een Mirt”, Chapter 9, page 72. He also leads you to believe that babies should be baptized directly after birth, even the very first Sunday. It is not entirely like the Roman Catholics’ practice, but there is not much difference because he says on page 66:

“And shall we, then, who possess such a child and such a covenant of peace with God be content to delay the baptism of his baby? -- and then the father oftentimes casts the blame upon the mother by saying, ‘Mother wants to be there also when our baby is baptized, so we shall wait until mother can go along’. As if the covenant of God does not always engage the head of the family.

But no genuinely true mother will ever allow, for her own enjoyment, the child of her bosom, to remain unbaptized even for a single week wherein it would be possible for it to die.”

This shows how strong Dr. Kuyper was in his belief that baptism should take preeminence immediately after birth.

You shall, if you may become older, come in contact with more of this doctrine. I warn you, boys and girls, do not join with it. The time is much too short for me to refute this ill-founded doctrine.

I related to you an error, and with God’s Word as my guide I dare to tell you that nowhere are we taught a “presumptive regeneration” before baptism or in baptism.

Now understand, they are so careful that they use there the word “presumptive”. Otherwise they would run into difficulties.

What follows will clarify what I am saying. Just suppose that a father and mother had eight children, all baptized and each had the same good rearing. According to their views respectable people presume that a seed of grace is harbored in their children’s soul. If years later when the children are grown, a preacher on family visitation would of course ask these parents how their children are faring. The father says, “Reverend, for the most part it goes well; five of them are married and as you see they are all Christians, attend church faithfully and take the Lord’s Supper.”

“Yes”, says the minister, “I am well aware of that. They are flourishing members of our church. We could certainly wish that all brothers and sisters gave as good an example. But you have at least eight children, do you not? Where are the three others now-a-days?”

Yes---now it finally must be revealed.

“Oh” laments the father, “Reverend, I shall just speak out frankly, they have gone the way of the prodigal son, but have not yet returned. One went to India, the second resides in Amsterdam and the third drifts from one place to another. Those boys live terribly wicked lives. They won’t have anything to do with religion.”

“Yes, Reverend”, added the mother weeping, “I have often said to my husband, if it may just turn out all right with our boys.”

What is there for the minister to say?

If his teaching had always been that all baptized children are born again he would in this instance be in difficulty. It would appear that there is such a thing as apostasy of saints and this cannot be the teaching of Christians.

But---they have an answer ready for this too. Do you know what the minister said? “Come, come, mother, don’t give up hope yet. It is true, it appears the boys are far from home, but who knows how soon they will return sorrowfully saying, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight’. We may certainly hope that they have been born of believing parents, baptized and reared in a Christian environment, bearing the seed of the new birth even though this is now smothered under all those sins. If soon they may confess (even if it is on their death beds) Jesus as their Saviour, you shall see that the seed was not entirely choked off--”.

This is the way that minister put these people at rest. It appears though, this mother does not trust their religion as much anymore and is always anxious about her children’s destiny and says, “But, Reverend, if they continue living this way, no matter how well they are baptized and brought up, if they die in their sins and wickedness, what then?”

“Yes, what then” —answered the minister, “then we can say nothing more than that they were never actually born again. I told you before that we must assume, but can not be sure, that all those that are baptized have the seed of grace in them. In some lives it is apparent that it is not so. Their future life of church attendance, confession and partaking of the Lord’s Supper must be an indication whether the baptized are really born again or not.”

So much for the example. Do you understand anything of its intent? Try to remember it anyhow, perhaps in later years it will be clear to you. Alas, this doctrine has become accepted at an alarming rate in the last few years, and since there are many who dare to speak and write boldly in favor of it, I dare also to speak out saying, “These people err in two aspects on this matter of baptism. They err in the first place on the necessity of baptism. They err secondly in the efficacy of baptism.”

The Word of God teaches us that baptism is necessary only by virtue of Christ’s command. In this they go too far. It is true that many among us give too little value to Holy Baptism and baptize merely because it is a custom that we follow. But they err too in the application of the seal, and baptize not only by virtue of Christ’s command but go almost as far as to place virtue in the sacrament. God had never assigned this to it.

Last week we spoke of the fact that the Lord never ascribed grace to a sacrament, neither to circumcision, baptism, nor the Lord’s Supper. As a sovereign Being He stands above his commands and instituted means. If in truth you are unconverted and remain so, don’t let them make you something you are not, children. Don’t forsake the truth as so many do in later life. Many forsake the truth for money, or possessions, wife or husband, and pursue the doctrine they think will be most advantageous to themselves.

We shall not go into this any further.

Hellenbroek concludes this lesson with the question: What have the baptized to perform?

Answer: They have to examine whether they have with their whole heart commended themselves unto the Triune God.

Can we do this by nature?

Answer: No.

Why not?

Answer: Because we are spiritually dead.

Why does Hellenbroek put it in such a way then?

Answer: Because a person is impotent because of his own guilt and the Lord righteously requires of him that which he cannot perform.

Do you hear that boys and girls? Without God it is impossible to inquire after God and yet the Lord can say, “You will not come to me.” And do you know what is so perilous? That the devil takes advantage of our impotency in order to say: “You had better give it up, it doesn’t help anyway, just get some enjoyment out of life.” O, that liar!

Just yesterday I was reading a book written by an English theologian who said, “There was a king who wanted to enlarge his territory through acquisition of the land of another king. He would accomplish this by first doing away with the king of that land. He promised that he would elevate any one of his subjects to the highest office of the land if they would murder that king for him.

When one of the men murdered his enemy and went to the king to obtain his honor as promised, what do you think the king did?

He gave orders to have the man hung from the highest tower in the land saying, “If this rascal dares to murder that other King for a monetary reward, he would dare to do it to me also if someone would pay him to do so.”

The theologian went on to say that the devil does this to his subjects too. He promises them much here, but soon he will say, “You knew, of course, that I am a liar, didn’t you? Why were you then obedient to me?”

You have been sufficiently warned. May the Lord rescue you while there is still time, and it is my wish and prayer that the significance of baptism may be applied to your soul.

Mark thou the upright day by day,
Behold the perfect in his way;
His journey ends in peace.
Destroyed at once shall rebels be;
Cut off from all posterity,
Their very name shall cease.

-Psalter No. 99:4

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