The Heidelberg Catechism
Of The Sacraments
25. Lord’s Day
Q. 65.
Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith
only, whence does this faith proceed?
A.
From the Holy Ghost, (a)
who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it
by the use of the sacraments. (b)
(a) Eph.2:8,9; Eph.6:23; John 3:5; Philip.1:29. (b) Matt.28:19,20; 1
Pet.1:22,23.
Q. 66.
What are the sacraments?
A.
The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed of God for
this end, that by the use thereof, he may the more fully declare and seal to us
the promise of the gospel, viz., that he grants us freely the remission of sin,
and life eternal, for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on
the cross. (a)
(a) Gen.17:11; Rom.4:11; Deut.30:6; Lev.6:25; Heb.9:7-9,24;
Ezek.20:12; Isa.6:6,7; Isa.54:9.
Q. 67.
Are both word and sacraments, then, ordained and appointed for this end,
that they may direct our faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross,
as the only ground of our salvation? (a)
A.
Yes, indeed: for the Holy Ghost teaches us in the gospel, and assures
us by the sacraments, that the whole of our salvation depends upon that one
sacrifice of Christ which he offered for us on the cross.
(a) Rom.6:3; Gal.3:27.
Q. 68.
How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant, or
testament?
A.
Two: namely, holy baptism, and the holy supper.
Of Holy Baptism
26. Lord’s Day
Q. 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?
A.
Thus: That Christ appointed this external washing with water, (a)
adding thereto this promise, (b)
that I am as certainly washed by his blood and Spirit from all the pollution of
my soul, that is, from all my sins, (c)
as I am washed externally with water, by which the filthiness of the body is
commonly washed away.
(a) Matt.28:19. (b) Matt.28:19; Acts 2:38; Matt.3:11; Mark 16:16; John
1:33; Rom.6:3,4. (c) 1 Pet.3:21; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3
Q. 70.
What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
A.
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; (a)
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. (b)
(a) Heb.12:24; 1 Pet.1:2; Rev.1:5; Rev.7:14; Zech.13:1; Ezek.36:25.
(b) John 1:33; John 3:5; 1 Cor.6:11; 1 Cor.12:13; Rom.6:4; Col.2:12.
Q. 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?
A.
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; Acts 22:16.
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