LORD’S DAY 27
Q. 72. Is then the external baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?
A. Not at all; for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Ghost, cleanse us from all sin.1
- Mat. 3:11; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 John 1:7; 1 Cor. 6:11.
Q. 73. Why then doth the Holy Ghost call baptism “the washing of regeneration,” and “the washing away of sins”?
A. 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;1 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.2
- Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor. 6:11.
- Mark 16:16; Gal. 3:27.
Q. 74. Are infants also to be baptized?
A. Yes; for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant1 and church of God;2 and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them3 no less than to the adult; 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 unbelievers4 as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision,5 instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant.6
- Gen. 17:7; Acts. 2:39.
- 1 Cor. 7:14; Joel 2:16; Mat. 19:14.
- Luke 1:14, 15; Psa. 22:10; Acts 2:39.
- Acts 10:47; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Cor. 7:14.
- Gen. 17:14.
- Col. 2:11-13.
LORD’S DAY 27
Infant Baptism
1. Is the external baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?
Not at all; for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Spirit, cleanse us from all sin.
2. Why then is baptism called “the washing of regeneration” and “the washing away of sins”?
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 Christ. Revelation 1:5; I Corinthians 6:11.
3. Is there further reason God teaches us that baptism is the washing away of sins?
That by this divine pledge He may assure us that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really as we are externally washed with water.
4. Are infants of believers also to be baptized?
Yes, for they as well as the adult are included in the covenant and church of God.
5. Is there proof in Scripture that infants are included in the covenant?
Genesis 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.”
6. Is there a second reason infants are to be baptized?
Redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the author of faith, are promised to them no less than to the adult. Psalm 22:9, 10; Mark 10:13-16.
7. Can you prove from Scripture that redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit are promised to children of believers?
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.”
8. What purpose does the sign of baptism serve?
By this sign of the covenant they are admitted into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. Acts 10:47; I Corinthians 12:13.
9. How were children of the covenant in the Old Testament distinguished from the children of unbelievers?
By circumcision, which is replaced in the New Testament by baptism. Colossians 2:10-13.