The Heidelberg Catechism (26)

Holy baptism is now to be considered. It is one of the two sacraments. You will remember that the sacraments are visible signs to make things clearer. They are also seals, confirming the truth of what the Lord has said. What He promises His children, He will certainly give.

The sacraments also point to the only sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Therefore Question 69 is asked.

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, adding thereto this promise, that I am as certainly washed by His blood and Spirit from all the pollution of my soul, that is, from all my sins, as I am washed externally with water, by which the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.

How does holy baptism teach that the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross for His people has been accomplished? By the Holy Spirit God says that Christ died for His people, and He assures them of this. It is really true. But how does the Lord do this?

The answer explains that in holy baptism water is always used, ordinary water. For a moment the person who is baptized goes completely under the water. That was how John the Baptist baptized. It can also be done by sprinkling with water, which is the same thing. That is how it is done in our churches.

Water is used to clean something. If you have become dirty, you use water to clean yourself. Now also our hearts, our souls, have become unclean because of sin. How can our souls be made clean again? Can it be done with water? No, water can clean your body, but our souls can be washed clean of all sin only by the blood and Spirit of Christ. That is what the Lord shows us in baptism.

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; 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.

Something was mentioned in the previous answer which you may have found difficult, namely, to be washed by the blood and Spirit of Christ from all pollution, that is, from all sins. What does that mean? The answer speaks to us about the blood of the Lord Jesus. He gave His blood, meaning He died. He is the true Lamb of sacrifice which was slain. Only for that reason can sins be forgiven. It is by grace, for nobody merits it. Christ, by His death, has born the punishment for all His children, and in that way He has paid for their sins, and their sins are all forgiven. That is what is meant by the words “washed by the blood of Christ.”

But what is meant by the second part, “washed by the Spirit of Christ”? The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit. What does He do? He gives new life in the hearts of sinners. You will recall that this is called regeneration. Thus God's children are renewed and become members of Christ. How do they then live? They more and more die unto sin, meaning that they begin more and more to hate sin and strive against it. (Read Lord's Day 16, Question 43 again.) They also begin more and more to serve, fear, and obey the Lord, which is called leading a holy life.

All this is the work of the Holy Ghost, for this is what is meant by the phrase “washed by the Spirit of Christ.”

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”; “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” This promise is also repeated, where the Scripture calls baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins.

Thus Christ says that He will wash us with His blood and Spirit. That this is true can be seen by the baptism of children and adults. As certainly as we are baptized, so certain it is that Christ is willing to wash us with His blood and Spirit. Where is that written in the Bible? Christ spoke the first text to His disciples in Matthew 28:20, and the second text in Mark 16:16.

In the Bible baptism is also called the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins. You will read what that means in the following Lord's Day.

Notice again the second text. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” You are probably baptized. You now know what the Lord says about baptism, but you also need the first part, the believing. Ask that the Holy Spirit may give this in your heart. You may ask this on the basis of your baptism. Even if you are not baptized, you can still be converted, and then you may still be baptized afterward.

The Banner of Truth on Cassette Tapes

Our monthly issues of the articles in the Banner of Truth are now available on cassette tapes for those who have diffïculty reading because of eye problems or other circumstances. These tapes are produced by a committee in Canada, and the cost for a twelvemonth period is $60 in the United States, and $50 in Canada, which includes postage. They can be obtained commencing with the March 2005 issue. Those desiring to subscribe to this service may contact Mr. George Eckhardt, 9110 Garden Drive, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 5M7, e-mail <geckhard@dowco.com>. A number of consistories now have them available for loaning to their members.

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