HC 71
Heidelberg Catechism
Q71. Where has Christ promised that He will wash us with His blood and Spirit as surely as we are washed with the water of baptism?
In the institution of baptism, where He says: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. This promise is repeated where Scripture calls baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins.
Proof texts
- Matt. 28:19 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- Mark 16:16 — [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Titus 3:5 — [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
- Acts 22:16 — [16] And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 28:19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q88 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q149 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q88 · WLC Q149 · WCF 27.1 · BC 8.1 · BC 8.2 · BC 8.3 · 1689 28.1