Lord’s Day 26
Q70. What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?
To be washed with Christ's blood means that God, by grace, has forgiven my sins because Christ shed his blood for me on the cross. To be washed with Christ's Spirit means that the Holy Spirit has made me new and set me apart to belong to Christ, so that more and more I turn away from sin and live a holy life.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Hebrews 12:24
1 Peter 1:2
Revelation 1:5
Revelation 7:14
Zechariah 13:1
John 3:5–8
Romans 6:4
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
1 Corinthians 6:11
“And such were some of you: 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.”
Colossians 2:11–12
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What are the two kinds of washing the catechism talks about here?
- 2
What does the Holy Spirit do when he makes someone new?
- 3
How would you explain the difference between forgiveness and being made new?
Illustration
When a stained shirt gets bleached, the stain is removed. But when a seed is planted in soil, something new starts to grow. Being washed with Christ's blood is like the stain being removed. Being washed with Christ's Spirit is like new life growing inside you. Both happen to every person who belongs to Christ.
Application
Pick one sin habit you want to turn away from this week. Ask God to keep working in you by his Spirit, making you more and more like Jesus. Remember that this change is his work, not yours alone.