Catechesis

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 73

Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins?

Scripture

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:11 [1]
    And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (ESV)
  2. Revelation 1:5 [1]
    and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (ESV)
  3. Revelation 7:14 [1]
    I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (ESV)
  4. Mark 16:16 [2]
    Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV)
  5. Acts 2:38 [2]
    And Peter said to them, “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. (ESV)
  6. Romans 6:3–4 [2]
    Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)
  7. Galatians 3:27 [2]
    For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (ESV)