X-Sender: benschop@nic.cc.ruu.nl
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Date: Thu, 17 Aug 1995 10:07:38 +0200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 30
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Q. What are the sacraments?
A. They are holy signs and seals instituted by God, thereby to assure
us, that he of grace grants us remission of sins, and life eternal, for
the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ finished on the cross.
The sacraments are signs, instituted by God, which assure us of the
truth of God's promises. God said, that He is willing to grant us
remission of sins, and eternal life. With the sacraments, He confirms
that promise. There is no need of doubt anymore. God promised it in His
Word, and confirms it by the sacraments. They seal the truth of God, and
all His sayings. Christ died on the cross, and finished there the
sacrifice of Himself. He did so for all that believe in Him as their
only Mediator. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my
(Christ's) word, and believeth on him (God the Father) that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is
passed from death unto life." (John 5:24) The sacraments are instituted
for the help of those, who are weak in their belief. Some dare not to
believe it. "Died Christ also for me, such a wretched sinner as I am?"
They think the remission of sins a sake, too great for them. They hope
on God's salvation, but they think themselves too black for that. They
believe of course God's Word; they also believe that the salvation is
for other people; but "is it also for me?" They doubt, and cannot come
to a firm belief. For such people, the sacraments, being visible seals
and signs of God's promises - for such people, the sacraments are very
useful. When they cannot, or dare not believe, when they hear it, maybe,
they will believe when they see it.
Q. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the New Testament?
A. Two: holy baptism, and the holy supper.
Note these things:
- Christ instituted the sacraments;
- We speak about the times of the New Testament;
- Two sacraments; no more or less;
Christ instituted the sacraments. That means, that we must do His will,
and not invent some extra sacraments, nor neglect to use them.
Q. Which is the outward sign in baptism?
A. The water, with which we are baptised in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
We use common water in baptism, as the outward sign. Not sacred water,
but common, as appears from the examples written down in the New
Testament. They baptised in Jordan, a river of common water. When Philip
baptised the eunuch, it was after "they came unto a certain water. And
the eunuch said, See, water; what doth hinder me to be baptised?" (Acts
8:36) With water, we are baptised in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This Jesus commanded His disciples, before
He was received up into heaven, saying: "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost". (Matthew 28:19)
Q. What does that signify and seal?
A. The washing away of sins by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ.
The baptising with water is not the washing away of sins itself, for
only a true belief cleanses of all sins. But baptism signifies the
washing away of sins. Like water washes one's external body, so also
Christ's blood washes away the sins of the believers. Baptism signifies
that. It shows the forgiveness and the cleansing in a picture. It not
only signifies the remission of sins, but also seals it. It says not
that every baptised child has its sins forgiven, but it seals the truth
of God's promise, that, whoever believes in Him, his sins will be washed
away.
Some days after Saul was called by the Lord Christ, Ananias said to
him: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptised, and wash away
thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) Here, baptism
is called the "washing away of sins". It is a sign and seal of Christ's
blood, whereof is written: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
Q. Where has Christ promised and assured us of this?
A. In the institution of baptism; which is as follows: "Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be
damned."
In the institution of baptism, Christ commanded His servants, that they
must go into the world, preach the gospel, and baptise. Note, that the
salvation does not depend on baptism, but on faith. He that believes and
is baptised shall be saved. But one, maybe that he is baptised, but when
he not believes, he shall not be saved. He that does not believe, shall
be damned. Let we then not make a superstitious use of baptism, but let
we stress the decisive importance of believing.
Q. Are infants also to be baptised?
A. Yes; for they, as well as the adult, are comprehended in the covenant
of God, and in his church.
Like the little boys in the Old Testament were circumcised, so also we
baptise our young children. The little boys are circumcised, though they
were still unable to believe. So also we baptise our children, though
they are young and unable to believe. If one of the parents believes,
then also the children are holy, as Paul says: "For the unbelieving
husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is
sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are
they holy." (1 Corinthians 7:14) And in another place, "Jesus said,
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of
such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) If Christ allowed the
little children to come to Him, yea, even forbade them who hindered the
children - if the children came to Jesus, so they are also to be
baptised. They belong, as well as the adult, to God's covenant, and to
His church. And therefore, they have the sign and seal of baptism on
them.
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