regeneration” (Titus 3;5), and “the washing away of sins” (Acts 22;16).
27. LORD’S DAY.
72. Is then the external baptism with water, the washing away of sin itself?
Not at all (1 Pet. 3;21), for the blood of Jesus Christ only (1 John 1;7), and the Holy Ghost, cleanse us from all sin (1 Cor. 6;11).
1 Pet. 3;21.—The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 John 1;7.—The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all his sin.—1 John 5;6.
1 Cor. 6;11.—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.
73. Why then doth the Holy Ghost call baptism “the washing of regeneration” and the washing away of sins?
God speaks not thus without great cause, namely, not only thereby to teach us, that, as the filth of the body is purged away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1;5): but especially that, by this divine pledge and sign, he may assure us that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really as we are externally washed with water (Gal. 3;27).
Rev. 1;5.—Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.—Heb. 9;14.—Isa. 4;4—Titus 3;5.
