An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 72

    Section 27: Lord’s Day 27

    Is then the external baptism with water, the washing away of sin itself?

    Not at all: for the blood of Jesus Christ only,a and the Holy Ghost, cleanse us from all sin.b

    1. a. Matthew 3:11; 1 Peter 3:21

      Matthew 3:11

      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:

      3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

      1 Peter 3:21

      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:

      3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. 1 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:11

      1 John 1:7

      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.

      1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

      1 Corinthians 6:11

      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.

      6:11 And that is what some of you were. 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.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 77

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 77

    Is then the external outward Baptism with of Water the washing away of sin itself?Sins?

    It is not; at all: for the Blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Ghost, cleanse alone cleanseth us from all Sin.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 72

    Is then the external baptism with water, the washing away of sin itself?

    Not at all: for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Ghost, cleanse us from all sin.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 77

    Is then the outward Baptism of Water the washing away of Sins?

    It is not; for the Blood of Christ alone cleanseth us from all Sin.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      Is then the outwarde Baptisme of water the washing away of sinnes? It is not. For the bloud of Christ alone cleanseth vs from all sinne.

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      THE ARGVMENT. That Baptisme is the verie washing away of sinnes, and yet, that the holie Ghost doth not without cause so speake, and of the Baptisme of children. Is then Baptisme…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text