Q. 44. What is baptism?
Baptism is washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of regeneration or the new birth, and of entrance into Christ’s body the Church.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12; 10:47–48; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12–13; Galatians 3:26–27; 1 Corinthians 10:1–2; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.
- 39 Articles of Religion, Article 27
- Heidelberg Catechism, Questions 69–73
- Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 94
- Westminster Confession of Faith, Article 28
- Augsburg Confession, Article 9
- Geneva Catechism, Questions 324–332
Baptism … washing. The word “baptize” (baptizō) means “to wash.” This ritual washing has been administered throughout church history by various modes: immersion, pouring (affusion), or sprinkling (aspersion). “It is not determined in Scripture in which of these ways it shall be done, neither by any express precept, nor by any such example as clearly proves it; nor by the force or meaning of the word baptize” (Wesley, Treatise on Baptism 2). Pouring water over the head is commonly associated with the Spirit being poured out from heaven (Ezekiel 39:29), anointing believers as a royal priesthood (Exodus 29:7; 1 John 2:20; 1 Peter 2:9). Sprinkling is associated with the purification that is provided in the new covenant by Christ’s blood: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean” (Ezekiel 36:25; cf. Numbers 8:7; Hebrews 10:22).
In the name. Christians bear the name of the Triune God through baptism and have a special obligation to represent God to the nations (see Q. 17).
Sign of regeneration. The outward and visible washing of baptism signifies the inward and spiritual “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). “God signifies to us that just as water washes away the dirt of the body when it is poured on us and also is seen on the bodies of those who are baptized when it is sprinkled on them, so too the blood of Christ does the same thing internally, in the soul, by the Holy Spirit” (Belgic Confession 34). The Nicene Creed draws from verses such as Acts 2:38 (“baptized … for the forgiveness of sins”) and Ephesians 4:5 (“one baptism”) when it states that Christians “acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.” Saving grace is extended through baptism as a means or channel, but must be received by faith (see Notes on Q. 47).
Entrance. Baptism is the rite of initiation into the visible Church and its sacramental life (Q. 46). “Baptism is for us a kind of entrance into the Church of God, for it testifies that instead of our being strangers to him, God receives us as members of His family. The Supper testifies that God as a good Father carefully feeds and refreshes the members of his household” (Geneva Catechism 323). God receives us into his family with a bath and a meal.