
New City Catechism 45.2
Question 45: Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself? Answer: No, only the blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can cleanse us from sin. Baptism is an event that marks conversion to Christ. As such, it is closely associated with the spiritual blessings of conversion: the forgiveness of sins, the new birth, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. For example, Peter could say to his hearers on the day of Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in