It's good to be clear!

When you walk along a path, there are two sides you can fall off... so it is good to be clear where both edges are. As we think more about baptism our eyes are directed to the other edge of the path.

Q45. Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?

A. No, only the blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can cleanse us from sin.

In the previous question we learned how baptism is not a meaningless image. However we need to be clear, baptism itself does not wash our sins away. If it did, it would make Jesus sacrifice on the cross meaningless!

Practically, what does this mean?

It means we don't rest on the image, but the one we see in the image. We rest on the truth that Jesus blood can and does cleanse us from all our sin. He has washed us, and we are clean. He has put his Spirit in us, and continues to renew us day by day.

It means we dont ignore the image. It is helpful to look at it, to remember our baptism, after all Jesus himself gave us this sacrament. He knows we need the image. So don't ignore, despise or belittle it. But remember you are clean.... Jesus himself has cleansed you.