Question. What is the secret and spiritual grace?
Answer. Forgiveness of sins and regeneration: both which we have by the death and resurrection of Christ ; and thereof we have this Sacrament as a Seal and Pledge.
Scripture References: Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38 and 22:16; Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21
Question. Show me the effect of Baptism yet more plainly.
Answer. Where by nature we are the children of wrath, and none of God’s Church or household, we are by baptism received into the Church, and assured, that we are now children of God, and joined and grafted into the body of Christ, and become his members, and do grow into one body with him.
Scripture References: Eph. 2:3, 19-20; Titus 3:3-5; Math. 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:5 Rom. 6:3; 1
Cor. 12:13; 2 Pet. 3:21
Question: What is required of persons to be baptised?
Answer. Repentance and faith.
Scripture References: Mark 1:4,15 and 16:16; Acts 2:38, 8:36-37, 16:31, 33-34, 19:4-5, 22:16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3 and 13:12-14; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 4:20-21
Question: Declare the meaning of these more largely.
Answer. First we must truly repent us of our former life, and believe assuredly that we are cleansed from our sins by the blood of Christ, and so made acceptable to God, and that his spirit dwelleth in us. And then according to this belief and promise made in Baptism, we must endeavour ourselves to mortify our flesh, and by our good life to show that we have put on Christ, and have his Spirit given us.
Scripture References: Mark 1:4,15 and 16:16; Acts 2:38, 8:36-37, 16:31, 33-34, 19:4-5, 22:16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3 and 13:12-14; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 4:20-21