Lesson #94: Sacrament of Baptism

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Shorter Catechism Q & A # 94

Q. What is Baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The Westminster Confession of faith (28. 1.) teaches us that “Baptism is a sacrament ordained by Jesus Christ … to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.” As a sign we declare the truth of Baptism as ordained by Christ. As a seal the eternal efficacy of the sacrament is declared true. [Rom. 4:11, Col. 2:11–12]

What does it mean?

What is the outward sign? Acts 10:47, Heb. 10:22

What does the water signify? Rev. 1:5

What does Matt 28:19 teach us about baptism?

What is the import of the words “signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ? Gal. 3:27— “By our ingrafting into Christ, is meant our being cut off from our old stock of nature, and being joined unto Jesus Christ, whereby we come to draw virtue from him as our root, that we may grow up in him, and bring forth fruit unto him. “I am the vine, ye are the branches.”— John 15:5. (Thomas Vincent)

What is our practice?

Baptism is to be received as a part of the newness of life that we have in Christ Jesus [Gal. 3:27]. The sacraments are given that we might have assurance of the faith that declares the grace of God in our growth and witness in the Gospel. We live in knowledge that we belong in our Father in heaven, in Christ our Savior.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Is baptism a seal of our ingrafting into Christ? Yes: for being baptized into Jesus Christ, we are baptized into his death, Rom. 6:3. And of our partaking of the new covenant? Yes: Be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:38. And of our engagement to be the Lord’s? Yes: I entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine, Ezek. 16:8. Is the covenant sealed in the baptism a mutual covenant? Yes: Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God, Jer. 30:32.” (Matthew Henry}

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