Baptism & Cleansing - Heidelberg Catechism #69

Baptism & Cleansing - Heidelberg Catechism #69

Baptism is a divine sacrament instituted by Christ as a visible sign and seal of the gospel, pointing believers to the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the sole basis of salvation. It signifies and seals the cleansing of the soul from sin through the blood of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, not through the water itself, which is merely a symbol of spiritual purification. Pastor Jason emphasizes that baptism does not confer salvation or regeneration by virtue of the rite alone, but rather testifies to the reality of forgiveness and renewal that come by grace through faith in Christ’s atoning death. Drawing from Scripture, including passages from Acts, 1 John, and Titus, it affirms that the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s blood to believers, regenerating them not by human works but according to God’s mercy. Ultimately, baptism is a powerful reminder of the believer’s union with Christ and the ongoing work of the Spirit in sanctifying and renewing the soul.

How Many Sacraments? - Heidelberg Catechism #68

Title: How Many Sacraments? Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: June 9, 2026 68. Q. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant? A. Two: holy baptism and the holy supper.

The Wisdom of the Cross - 1 Corinthians 2

In today's devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores 1 Corinthians chapter 2. The city of Corinth was sophisticated, highly educated, and proud. Yet, when the Apostle Paul arrived, he didn't try to impress them with eloquent philosophy or classical rhetoric. Instead, he resolved to preach nothing but "Jesus Christ and Him crucified". Why? Because the cross—though it seems like foolishness to the world—is the ultimate power and hidden wisdom of God for salvation. Join us as we discuss why the natural mind cannot grasp the gospel without the Holy Spirit , and how believers are given the very "mind of Christ."

Sacraments Point us to Christ - Heidelberg Catechism #67

Title: Sacraments Point Us to Christ Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: June 10, 2026 67. Q. Are both the Word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation? A. Yes, indeed. The Holy Spirit teaches us in the gospel and assures us by the sacraments that our entire salvation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross.

Saints, Unity, and Boasting - 1 Corinthians 1

Welcome back to Walking with Jesus Through the Word! Today, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church kicks off our study of 1 Corinthians with a deep dive into chapter 1. In this devotional, we explore three key truths from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth: We Are Saints United in Christ: True holiness means being set apart in Christ, which unites believers across all earthly and denominational lines. Baptism is Not the Gospel: While baptism is a beautiful sign and seal of God's grace, it is not what saves us—salvation comes by God's grace through faith in Christ alone. God Chooses the Weak: The world prizes wealth, power, and celebrity, but God delights in choosing the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the strong. True wisdom and redemption are found only in Jesus. Join us as we learn to boast only in the Lord! #1Corinthians #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #ReformedTheology #ChristianUnity #ForestHillPCA