New City Catechism 45.3
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. Some Christians argue that the sacraments/ordinances are "visible words," and as such they have the same power to impart salvation as does the preaching of the gospel. Were this the case, it is hard to imagine how Paul could say that he was called not to baptize but to preach the gospel, clearly setting the latter