The Christian Sacrament of Baptism (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 26, Matthew 28:18-20) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. Institution
II. Meaning
III. Discipleship
Psalm singing: 111:1-6; 22:22-26; 51:6-13; 25:4-10 (see bottom for the words to the Psalms)
Scripture reading: Matthew 28

Psalm 111:1-6
1 PRAISE ye the Lord : with my whole heart
I will God’s praise declare,
Where the assemblies of the just
and congregations are.
2 The whole works of the Lord our God
are great above all measure,
Sought out they are of ev’ry one
that doth therein take pleasure.
3 His work most honourable is,
most glorious and pure,
And his untainted righteousness
for ever doth endure.
4 His works most wonderful he hath
made to be thought upon:
The Lord is gracious, and he is
full of compassion.
5 He giveth meat unto all those
that truly do him fear;
And evermore his covenant
be in his mind will bear.
6 He did the power of his works
unto his people show,
When he the heathen’s heritage
upon them did bestow.

Psalm 22:22-26
22 I will shew forth thy name unto
those that my brethren are;
Amidst the congregation
thy praise I will declare.
23 Praise ye the Lord, who do him fear;
him glorify all ye
The seed of Jacob; fear him all
that Isr’el’s children be.
24 For he despis’d not nor abhorr’d
th’ afflicted’s misery ;
Nor from him hid his face, but heard
when he to him did cry.
25 Within the congregation great
my praise shall be of thee ;
My vows before them that him fear
shall be perform’d by me.
26 The meek shall eat, and shall be fill'd;
they also praise shall give
Unto the Lord that do him seek :
your heart shall ever live.

Psalm 51:6-13
6 Behold, thou in the inward parts
with truth delighted art;
And wisdom thou shalt make me know
within the hidden part.
7 Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,
I shall be cleansed so;
Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall
be whiter than the snow.
8 Of gladness and of joyfulness
make me to hear the voice;
That so these very bones which thou
hast broken may rejoice.
9 All mine iniquities blot out,
thy face hide from my sin.
10 Create a clean heart, Lord, renew
a right sp’rit me within.
11 Cast me not from thy sight, nor take
thy Holy Sp’rit away.
12 Restore me thy salvation’s joy;
with thy free Sp’rit me stay.
13 Then will I teach thy ways unto
those that transgressors be;
And those that sinners are shall then
be turned unto thee.

Psalm 25:4-10
4 Shew me thy ways, 0 Lord :
thy paths, 0 teach thou me:
5 And do thou lead me in thy truth,
therein my teacher be :
For thou art God that dost
to me salvation send,
And I upon thee all the day
expecting do attend.
6 Thy tender mercies, Lord,
I pray thee to remember,
And loving-kindnesses; for they
have been of old for ever.
7 My sins and faults of youth
do thou, 0 Lord, forget:
After thy mercy think on me,
and for thy goodness great.
8 God good and upright is:
the way he’ll sinners show.
9 The meek in judgment he will guide,
and make his path to know.
10 The whole paths of the Lord
are truth and mercy sure,
To those that do his cov’nant keep,
and testimonies pure.