---
title: "Question 165: What is Baptism? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 165: What is Baptism? Baptism is a Sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, a"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-165-what-is-baptism/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=149"
---

# Question 165: What is Baptism? | Westminster Larger Catechism

Baptism is a Sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible Church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.

Scripture proofs: Matt. 28:19; Eph. 5:26; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 15:29; Rom. 6:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:4.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=149)

## Related reading

- [Baptism and the children of believers](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/baptism/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-27-sacraments/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 91: How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-91-how-do-the-sacraments-become-effectual-means-of-salvation/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 161: How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-161-how-do-the-sacraments-become-effectual-means-of-salvation/)
- [Question 164](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-164-how-many-sacraments-hath-christ-instituted-in-his-church/)
- [Question 166](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-166-unto-whom-is-baptism-to-be-administered/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-165-what-is-baptism/