Christian Education
Every parent remembers the days when their child(ren) learned to ask “why”? Why is the sky blue? Why is my hair brown? Why is grandma’s skin wrinkly? Why do I have to go to bed? Why? Why? Why? The child asked and we answered, which often prompted the next question. In this give and take the child learned. Their minds began to open up to the vast expanse of life before them. His/her parents began the process of filling in some of the blanks.
The need to inquire about things of faith is no different. We have questions and we seek answers. Over the years the church has anticipated the questions we may ask and has provided answers to them. And as illustrated above the answers lead to more questions. The series of questions and answers is called a catechism which comes from the Greek term which means to teach with ones mouth.
The catechism chosen to look at this year is called the Heidelberg Catechism. It consists of 129 questions and answers arranged systematically this way: The first two questions and answers (Q&A) are introductory. Then follows three major sections.
The first (Q&A 3-11) deals with man’s sin and misery; the second part (Q&A 12-85) with how man is delivered from sin; the third part (Q&A 86-129) examines the life of gratitude shown by those who are saved.
The 129 Q&A are divided into 52 lessons or Lord’s Days.
This week our study will be taken from The Lord’s Day 26.
Question 72. Is then the external baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?
Answer: Not at all: (a) for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Ghost cleanse us from all sin. (b)
(a) Matt.3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 1 Pet.3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Eph.5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph.5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (b) 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Cor.6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
