Has baptism anything to do with this new birth? In the Scriptures, baptism is continually connected with regeneration, and all the blessings of salvation.

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John iii. 5.

Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts xxii. 16.

According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus iii. 5.

What is it to be a member of Christ?

In the Scriptures, the Church of Christ is compared to a body, of which He is the head. It is then, to be a member of His Church, united to Jesus Christ by faith.

"God gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body." Eph. i. 22, 23.

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." 1 Cor. 12, 13.

What is it to be a child of God?

To be born into His family, by the Holy Spirit's influence, and to have God for our reconciled Father, through Christ.

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John i. 12, 13.

What is it to be an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven?

It is to have a title to everlasting life and glory, through Christ; and every one who is a member of Christ, and a child of God, has this great privilege. "If children, then heirs." Rom. viii. 17.

Why do you say that you were made, in your baptism, a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven?

All baptized persons are members of Christ's visible Church, and are considered by the Church, in hope and love, members of Christ, children of God, and heirs of heaven.

"Then tey that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts ii. 41.

Will all who are baptized finally attain this everlasting blessedness?

Jesus Christ compared his kingdom or Church to a field of wheat and tares growing together; and he will separate his true people from hypocrites at the judgment day.

Such a field would be called a field of wheat, however many tares might be growing among it; so in the Church, all are supposed to be its faithful members, though many may be insincere in their profession.

"The servants of the householder came and said unto him, Wilt thou that we go and gather up the tares? But he said, Nay; lest while ye go and gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. xiii. 28, 29, 43.

How may you know whether you are indeed a true member of Christ, or whether you only bear the name of one?

I must examine myself to see whether I am doing the will of God, and fulfilling the promises my godfathers and godmothers made for me at my baptism.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. vii. 21.

What did your godfathers and godmothers promise for you at your baptism?

They did promise and vow three things in my name. First, that I should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Secondly, that I should believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith. And thirdly, that I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life.

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Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast pro

fessed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Tim. vi. 12.

What was the first thing they promised in your name?

That I should renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh; and these are the three great enemies of my soul.

"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.

Who, or what is the devil?

That wicked, invisible spirit, who is continually tempting us to sin; and who is the great enemy of God and man.

"Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. v. 8.

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James iv. 7.

What are the works of the devil?

All sin and wickedness.

"He that committeth sin is of the devil." 1 John iii. 8.

What is it to renounce the pomps and vanity of this wicked world?

To forsake its sinful pursuits and amusements, and despise its vain honours and pleasures.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John ii. 15, 16.

Why is the world called wicked in the Catechism?

Because we read in Scripture, that "the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John v. 19.

What are the sinful lusts of the flesh?

The evil desires and affections of our corrupt

nature.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." Gal. v. 19-21.

What is it to renounce these sinful lusts?
It is to mortify and subdue them.

"They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts." Gal. v. 24.

"If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Rom. viii. 13.