Catechism Question 75
What is water baptism?
Water baptism is the sign and seal of our union with Christ and the cleansing He provides for sin, a means of grace to provide strength in our struggle against sin, and the medium through which we testify of our faith in Christ and membership in the church.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In the previous question, we identified the two sacraments given by Jesus for the Church in the new covenant: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In this question, we begin taking a look at water baptism by defining water baptism and its benefits.
The answer to this question points to several things. First, baptism is a sign and seal of our union with Christ. (As we noted before, sacraments are signs and seal of the realities of salvation.) Second, water baptism signifies the cleansing from sin we receive through our union with Christ. Third, water baptism is a means of grace through which the new believer receives strength for the coming struggle against sin. Fourth, in water baptism, the new believer personally testifies to others of their faith in Christ and their membership in the Church.
In the coming questions, we will look at other questions related to water baptism such as the proper mode and recipients for water baptism. For now, it is important just to be able to correctly identify the nature and benefits of water baptism.
Additional Questions:
Can you explain water baptism?
Can you define the nature and benefits of water baptism?
Scripture References:
Galatians 3:26–27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Titus 3:5–6
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Romans 6:3–4
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Colossians 2:11–12
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38–39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Ephesians 4:3–6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What are the things that are signified and pictured in water baptism?
What happens in water baptism? As a sacrament, is it simply an empty symbol, or does God actually give grace to believers who obey His command to be water baptized?
In water baptism do we merely receive from God, or does it also serve to allow the believer to testify to others? If so, to what does the believer testify in water baptism?
Given the things signified or pictures in water baptism, when should one be water baptized – at the beginning of the Christian life or sometime later?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 69-71 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 94 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 44 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching series “Water Baptism” taught during 2010, especially the teaching “The Benefits of Baptism” (March 21, 2010).
Suggested Worship Song:
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood (William Cowper)
(This song uses baptismal imagery to remind us of the reality that stands behind water baptism – the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.)
There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in His day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow’r,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are safe, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.