Sondag 27
Vraag 72: Is die uitwendige waterbad self die afwassing van sondes? Antwoord: Nee¹, net die bloed van Jesus Christus en die Heilige Gees reinig ons van alle sondes².
Skrifverwysings: 1: Matteus 3:11; 1 Petrus 3:21 2: 1 Johannes 1:7; 1 Korintiërs 6:11
Vraag 73: Waarom noem die Heilige Gees die doop dan die bad van die wedergeboorte en die afwassing van sondes? Antwoord: God praat so met groot rede: Hy wil ons daarmee leer dat soos die vuilheid van die liggaam deur water verdwyn, so word ons sondes deur die bloed en Gees van Christus weggeneem¹; en Hy wil ons deur hierdie Goddelike pand en teken verseker dat ons geestelik net so seker van ons sondes gewas is as wat ons liggaamlik met die water gewas is².
Skrifverwysings: 1: Openbaring 1:5; Handelinge 22:16 2: Romeine 6:3-4; Galasiërs 3:27
Vraag 74: Moet ook die klein kinders gedoop word? Antwoord: Ja, want aangesien hulle net soos die volwassenes in die verbond van God en sy gemeente ingesluit is¹ en aangesien aan hulle deur die bloed van Christus die verlossing van sondes en die Heilige Gees wat die geloof werk, belowe word², moet hulle ook deur die doop, as die teken van die verbond, by die Christelike kerk ingelyf word³ en van die kinders van ongelowiges onderskei word⁴, soos in die Ou Verbond deur die besnydenis gebeur het⁵, waarvoor in die Nuwe Verbond die doop ingestel is⁶.
Skrifverwysings: 1: Genesis 17:7; Handelinge 2:39 2: Lukas 1:14-15; Psalm 22:10-11 3: Handelinge 10:47 4: 1 Korintiërs 7:14 5: Genesis 17:14 6: Kolossense 2:11-13
Lord’s Day 27
Question 72: Is the outward washing with water itself the washing away of sins? Answer: No,¹ only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.²
Scripture References: 1: Matthew 3:11; 1 Peter 3:21 2: 1 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:11
Question 73: Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins? Answer: God speaks this way for a good reason: He wants to teach us that just as the dirt of the body is removed by water, so our sins are taken away by the blood and Spirit of Christ;¹ and He wants to assure us by this divine pledge and sign that we are as truly washed from our sins spiritually as we are washed with water bodily.²
Scripture References: 1: Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16 2: Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27
Question 74: Should infants also be baptized? Answer: Yes, for since they belong to the covenant and people of God no less than their parents,¹ and since both redemption from sin through the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to their parents,² they too must be incorporated into the Christian church by baptism, the sign of the covenant,³ and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers,⁴ as was done in the old covenant by circumcision,⁵ in place of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant.⁶
Scripture References: 1: Genesis 17:7; Acts 2:39 2: Luke 1:14-15; Psalm 22:10-11 3: Acts 10:47 4: 1 Corinthians 7:14 5: Genesis 17:14 6: Colossians 2:11-13