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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 472. What are sacraments?
- 473. What is the purpose of the sacraments?
- 474. What comprises a sacrament?
- 475. What is the “sign” in a sacrament?
- 476. What is the “content” in a sacrament?
- 477. Who is the “dispenser” in a sacrament?
- 478. What is the significance of “faith” in a sacrament?
- 479. Which sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ?
- 480. To whom did Jesus entrust the administration of the sacraments?
- 481. What occurs in Holy Baptism with water?
- 482. What is the meaning of “original sin”?
- 483. What does the water of Holy Baptism signify?
- 484. Are there any references to Holy Baptism with water in the Old Testament?
- 485. Did Jesus also have to be baptised?
- 486. What did Jesus say to His disciples concerning baptism?
- 487. Who can receive Holy Baptism with water?
- 488. How is Holy Baptism with water dispensed?
- 489. Why can children be baptised?
- 490. What are the effects of Holy Baptism with water?
- 491. What is the relationship between Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing?
- 492. Who is entitled to perform Holy Baptism with water?
- 493. Are baptisms performed in other Christian denominations valid?
- 494. From what does the term 'Lord's Supper' derive?
- 495. What other designations are used in reference to Holy Communion?
- 496. Is there a relationship between the Passover meal and Holy Communion?
- 497. Is Holy Communion attested anywhere else in the New Testament?
- 498. What do the elements of bread and wine signify?
- 499. What does Holy Communion call to mind for the believer?
- 500. What do those who partake in Holy Communion profess?
- 501. In what way is Holy Communion a meal of fellowship?
- 502. Is there a connection between Holy Communion and the future “marriage feast” in heaven?
- 503. What happens when the wafers are consecrated?
- 504. Is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ present in Holy Communion?
- 505. Why is Holy Communion celebrated in every divine service?
- 506. For how long do the body and blood of Christ remain present in the consecrated wafers?
- 507. What is the relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion?
- 508. To whom did Jesus Christ entrust the sacrament of Holy Communion?
- 509. What are the words of the consecration for Holy Communion?
- 510. How is Holy Communion celebrated in the divine service?
- 511. What is the prerequisite for worthily partaking in Holy Communion?
- 512. What are the effects of Holy Communion?
- 513. Who is entitled to partake in Holy Communion?
- 514. What is the significance of the communion celebrations of other churches?
- 515. What is Holy Sealing?
- 516. What does the term “sealing” / “sealed” mean in the letters of the New Testament?
- 517. Was the Holy Spirit already active in the time of the Old Testament?
- 518. Does the Old Testament contain any references to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?
- 519. Did Jesus promise the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
- 520. When was the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfilled?
- 521. When did the anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit occur?
- 522. What is the significance of Jesus’ baptism and subsequent anointing with the Holy Spirit?
- 523. From what does it follow that Holy Baptism with water should precede the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- 524. What does the book of Acts relate concerning Holy Sealing?
- 525. How is the sacrament of Holy Sealing dispensed?
- 526. What are the prerequisites for receiving the sacrament of Holy Sealing?
- 527. Who can receive the sacrament of Holy Sealing?
- 528. What do we mean by the “rebirth out of water and the Spirit”?
- 529. What is the relationship between Holy Sealing and the rebirth out of water and the Spirit?
- 530. What are the effects of Holy Sealing?
524. What does the book of Acts relate concerning Holy Sealing?
An important reference to Holy Sealing is found in Acts 8: 14 et seq.: “Now when the Apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
According to this testimony from Holy Scripture, Holy Sealing is bound to the Apostle ministry. This is also confirmed in Acts 8: 18. Simon, who had previously practised sorcery but had come to believe and was baptised (cf. Acts 8: 9, 11 et seq.), “saw that through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given.”
From this event it follows that the sacraments of Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing are clearly distinguished from one another. We find a similar account in Acts 19: 1-6. In Ephesus, there were some disciples who had only received the baptism unto repentance from John. When they came to believe in Jesus, they were first of all baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. After this they received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles: “And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them.”