Lesson 6 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Question 1

What are the general characteristics of the Sacraments?

Answer 1

1. ) Signs - symbolic actions that re-present all the blessings of the covenant of grace (what a Sacrament is)
2. ) Seals - seal the blessings of the covenant of grace (what a Sacrament does) - Wedding Ring bonds the love of one to another
3. ) Deliver - sacraments are signs that seal and deliver the blessings of the covenant of grace. (Means of Grace - Christ meets his people in the sacraments with his presence and blessings)

– Summary: The sacraments are signs that seal and deliver the blessings of the covenant of grace in accordance with God’s sovereign faithfulness to his promise.

Question 2

Explain the difference and similarities in the Roman Catholic and Protestant understanding and identification of the sacraments.

Answer 2

a. ) Roman Catholic
- - 7 sacraments: baptism, confirmation, eucharist, penance, anointing the sick, holy orders, matrimony
- - Identify by Scripture and Tradition
- - Not just means of grace, but human activities (what you think the Sacraments are, shows how many you will identify)

b. ) Protestant
- - 2 Sacraments
- - 3 ways to identify:
1. ) Divinely instituted in the covenant of grace
2. ) External symbol appointed by God
3. ) Promise of grace is connected with it

Question 3

What do reformed churches say true sacraments must be?

Answer 3

1. ) Instituted by Christ through the apostolic Scriptures with his accompanying promise to bless
2. ) As Visible re-presentations/symbols of the Gospel
3. ) To be perpetually performed until the day of Jesus Christ, where they will be consummated in the kingdom of God.

Question 4

What is the basis by which the Reformed community only identifies two sacraments?

Answer 4

1.) Divinely instituted under the covenant of grace
2.) External symbol appointed by God (water/bread&wine)
3.) Promise of Grace is connected with it
a.Why not marriage? Not instituted in covenant of grace;
no external symbol, etc.

Question 5

How does the Noahic Covenant provide an understanding of signs and seals in covenants?

Answer 5

1. ) The covenant promise (Gen. 9:8-11)
2. ) The covenant sign (Gen. 9:12-17)
3. ) The relationship between God’s promise and sign (Rainbow and now rain)
   - - Sign: Rainbow; Seal: it shows up every time it rains; just when you need to believe the promise the most.

Question 6

Explain how the sacraments are not simply about covenant theology, but are covenant theology.

Answer 6

• • God’s covenant is a matter of personal pronouns.
• • We hear the Father’s voice in the ministry of the word, but feel the Father’s kiss in the Sacraments.” Watson
• • I will be your God, and you will be my people.
• • The sacraments, because they are applied directly to persons, do not simply show that the gospel happened or that God promises great blessings but that the gospel happened for you that God’s promise is to you—personally
• • They remind (sign) and assure (seal) you

Question 7

What are the various views of the efficacy of the sacraments?

Answer 7

1. ) Physical-Dispositive Causality - Sacraments put you in the right position to receive grace.
2. ) Physical-Instrumental Causality - sacraments contain some intrinsic power to confer grace (not just put you in position, but give you grace)
3. ) Covenantal Causality - God alone is the author of grace, but he has promised to deliver his grace through these sacraments.
4. ) Memorial - just a remembrance, reminder

Illustration: Check

• • The check is actually $100
• • The check is represented of $100 and has the power to deliver you the $100
• • The check is just a check