Washed in Christ(Titus 3:5; LD 26)

Introduction: What Does Baptism Mean? A Reformed, Heidelberg Catechism View

Baptism can be difficult to understand because we do not want to fall into either extreme. We do not want to say that baptism is merely sentimental. This would reduce baptism down to a sentimental reminder of Christ’s work. The Lord gives us the sacraments to strengthen our faith. The Lord works to build us up through the sacraments.

On the other hand, we do not want to say that everyone who receives the sign is necessarily regenerate. This would contradict John 3, where the Spirit is free like the wind.

The Heidelberg Catechism helps us here. Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ. It symbolizes the washing away of sin, and it confirms God's covenant promise. Through this visible sign, the Lord calls our attention to what Christ has accomplished and assures his people that his promises are real and certain.

Christ instituted baptism to call our identity in him to our attention

Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ. When Christ gave the Great Commission, he commanded his church to make disciples, preach the gospel, and administer baptism. Baptism identifies a people who have been set apart as the Lord’s people. Christ has completed his work. This is a sign of people set apart as a community of disciples washed in Christ.

This does not mean baptism is merely a sentimental reminder. The catechism uses stronger language. The catechism reminds us that Baptism assures us. It visibly presents God's promises to us. This is a sign that testifies to the certainty of Christ’s work.

When we take hold of Christ by faith, he is truly our redeemer. We believe because the Spirit works it in us by regeneration.

Baptism calls our attention to these realities. It presents before our eyes the truth that we belong to a people who are set apart in Christ. It is a sacrament, so it nourishes and strengthens our faith.

Life under the sun is plagued by uncertainty. We are called to walk by faith. We are called to look through the struggles of this age and see our Lord as our shield and defender. We can look at ourselves and wonder whether Christ truly is at work in us. Baptism directs our attention away from ourselves and back to Christ and his promises.

The sacrament says, in effect: Christ’s people are established in him. Christ has promised redemption. Christ is faithful. His Spirit is at work in the midst of his people and his community. Baptism calls us to look to our faithful redeemer.

Baptism symbolizes the washing that Christ alone accomplishes

As water washes the body, baptism presents the deeper cleansing that is found in Christ's blood and Spirit. Baptism assures us that Christ’s work is real. He takes away our sins, and his cleansing goes clear to the soul.

It is true that we are sinners because Adam fell, but we commit actual sins. We sin against our God. We need to be assured that we can draw near in times of temptation. We are set apart to him. He is our priest, and we are his people. Baptism assures us that Christ, as our priest, cleanses us so we can draw near to God. Christ has removed and cleansed us from all our sin and Adam’s sin. Baptism communicates that Christ continues to sanctify us.

Titus 3 reminds us that we are saved not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to God's mercy. The washing associated with regeneration is not teaching us that water itself possesses some magical power that forces the Spirit to act. Paul’s point is that baptism communicates and pictures the cleansing that Christ accomplishes through his Spirit.

Paul reminds Titus about the church he serves. The church was comprised of foolish people, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to passions, and characterized by sinful desires.

And Paul does say