Sacrament Flashcards
Word and Sacrament: How do they function as a means of grace?
- “A means of grace is a creaturely media through which the Spirit delivers Christ and all his benefits” (Horton).
• Since Jesus has commanded the sacraments, they function as a means of grace unto believers (because He has promised to bless and bind Himself to these ordinary means) - As a promise of God received by faith (Covenant Ratification)
- Isaiah 55, 1 Cor 10 >John 6?
How do the sacraments become effectual (Q#91)?
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them. Cf. “by the working of the Holy Ghost, and by the blessing of Christ” (WLC)
What is a sacrament (#92)? Defend with Scripture proofs.
A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. (Romans 4 - sign of circumcision as a seal of righteousness, Matt 28, 1 Corinthians 11, Galatians 3 - ratified promise)
WCF 27:1 Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,(1) immediately instituted by God,(2) to represent Christ, and His benefits; and to confirm our interest in Him:(3) as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church, and the rest of the world;(4) and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to His Word.(5)
(1) Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17:7,10; see the refs. for section 2 below.
(2) Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23
(3) 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 Cor. 11:25,26; Gal. 3:27; Gal 3:17
(4) Rom. 15:8; Exod. 12:48; Gen. 34:14
(5) Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Cor. 10:16
How many sacraments are there? Or which are the sacraments of the NT (#93)? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
“The sacraments of the NT are, Baptism, and the Lord’s supper”
• Jesus only instituted two sacraments:
1. Baptism (Matthew 28; cf. Mark 16:16)
2. The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26; 1 Cor 11:23–“For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, etc.”)
• In the apostolic writings we find the practice of these two (Acts 2 and 20)
Does anything really happen in a sacrament?
WCF 27:2 There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.
WCF 27.3 The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it: but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.
What are the parts of the sacrament?
- Outward (sensible sign)
* Inward (spiritual grace)
Cite at least four NT references showing parallels between the OT and NT sacraments. Quote two.
- The Flood (Genesis 7-8) 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
- Crossing of the Sea (Exodus 14) 1 Corinthians 10:1 I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.
- Washing ceremonies (Lev 15) Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Circumcision (Genesis 17) Colossians 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
- Manna (Exodus 16) 1 Corinthians 10:1 I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.
- Passover (Exodus 12) 1 Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Who can administer the sacraments?
- A TE, a minister of the word lawfully ordained
- “neither of which may be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained” (27.4).
