Sacraments

Question 1

What is a sacrament? Explain in laymen’s terms.

Answer 1

• Sacraments are signs and seals of grace which:

1) represent Christ,
2) confirm receivers of Christ,
3) to distinguish these receivers from non-receivers,
4) engage receivers in the service of Christ.

Question 2

What is a sacrament? Explain in laymen’s terms.

WCF

Answer 2

• “A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, be sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.” -WSC #92

Question 3

What is a sacrament? Explain in laymen’s terms. Scripture proofs.

Answer 3

• “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still
uncircumcised. “-Romans 4: 11

-“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the
bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one
body, for we all partake of the one loaf “
-1 Corinthians 10:16-17

• “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
-1 Corinthians 11:26

Question 4

How many sacraments are there? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. WSC

Answer 4

• Two.

* “The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. “-WSC #93

Question 5

How many sacraments are there? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 5

• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age. “-Matthew 28:19-20

Question 6

How many sacraments are there? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 6

• “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and
eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This
is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. “-Matthew 26:26-28

Question 7

Does anything really happen in a sacrament?

answer and WCF

Answer 7

• “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 27.2

Question 8

Does anything really happen in a sacrament?

Scripture proof

Answer 8

• “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. “-Matthew 26:26-28

Question 9

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
•

Answer 9

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still
uncircumcised. “-Romans 4:11
• “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that
they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same
spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink,. for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and
that rock was Christ. “-1 Corinthians 10: 1-4
• “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and
eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This
is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. “-Matthew 26:26-28
• “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the
hands of men but with a circumcision done by Christ. having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him
through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
-Colossians 2:11-12
• “Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said. The Gentiles must be
circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses. “ …It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden
you with anything beyond the following …“-Acts 15

Question 10

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
“-Romans 4:11

Answer 10

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still
uncircumcised.

Question 11

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
“-1 Corinthians 10: 1-4

Answer 11

• “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that
they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same
spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink,. for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and
that rock was Christ.

Question 12

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
“-Matthew 26:26-28

Answer 12

• “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and
eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This
is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Question 13

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
-Colossians 2:11-12

Answer 13

• “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the
hands of men but with a circumcision done by Christ. having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him
through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Question 14

Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote 2).
Acts 15

Answer 14

• “Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said. The Gentiles must be
circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses. “ …It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden
you with anything beyond the following …”-

Question 15

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?

Answer 15

• Engrafting into Christ
• Partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace
• Our engagement to be the Lord’s
• “Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Question 16

Of what is baptism and sign and seal? WSC #94

Answer 16

Holy Spirit, does signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace,
and our engagement to be the Lord’s. “-WSC #94

Question 17

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?
Where in Scripture are these terms used?
Romans 4:11

Answer 17

• And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised “-Romans 4:11

Question 18

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?

Where in Scripture are these terms used? Romans 6:4

Answer 18

• “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. “-Romans 6:4

Question 19

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?

Where in Scripture are these terms used? 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Answer 19

• “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Sprit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. “-2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Question 20

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?
Where in Scripture are these terms used?
Ephesians 1:13-14

Answer 20

• ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory. “-Ephesians 1:13-14

Question 21

Of what is baptism and sign and seal?
Where in Scripture are these terms used?
-Galatians 3:27

Answer 21

• “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. “-Galatians 3:27

Question 22

How does the latter term relate to paedo-baptism?

Answer 22

Infant baptism is a sign and seal indicating that one has been publicly identified with Christ by his parents and thus is engaged to be the Lord’s. One can have confidence that he belongs to Christ if he perseveres in obedience to Christ’s commands

Question 23

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 23

• Baptism is to be administered with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit; by an ordained minister of the Gospel, to those who profess faith and their children.

Question 24

How is baptism rightly administered? . WCF

Answer 24

• “The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name off;,:’ the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto. “-WCF

Question 25

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs. WSC

Answer 25

• “Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. “-WSC #95

Question 26

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs. Matthew 28:19-20

Answer 26

• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely lam with you a/ways, to the
very end of the age. “-Matthew 28:19-20

Question 27

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
-Acts 2:38-39

Answer 27

• “Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. “-Acts 2:38-39

Question 28

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs. COl 2:11-12

Answer 28

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.
-Colossians 2:11-12

Question 29

How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs. 1
Corinthians 7:14

Answer 29

• “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Other wise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. “-1 Corinthians 7:14

Question 30

Would you under any circumstances baptize someone by immersion? Explain.

Answer 30

• Yes, The essential element of Baptism is the water and the Trinitarian formula. The mode of baptism can be sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, none of which being more preferable, though sprinkling is the traditional form used in Presbyterian circles. That being said, were, someone to express interest in immersion I would want to investigate to insure that they were not deceived into thinking it was somehow a “higher” form of baptism.

Question 31

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 31

• Professing believers and their children.

Question 32

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. WSC

Answer 32

• “Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ,
and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. “-WSC #95

Question 33

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. Matthew 28:19-20

Answer 33

• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of :; the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. “-Matthew 28:19-20

Question 34

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. Acts 2:38-39

Answer 34

• ‘Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. “-Acts 2:38-39

Question 35

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. Col. 2:11-12

Answer 35

• “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the
hands of men but with a circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. “-Col. 2:11-12

Question 36

Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
1 Corinthians 7:14

Answer 36

For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified
through her believing husband. Other wise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. “-1
Corinthians 7:14

Question 37

How would you deal with a family in your local church who did not want their child baptized?

Answer 37

• I would want to take the time to gently instruct them in the doctrine of baptism and its importance, particularly
with any difficulties they may have-especially with baptizing their children. I would especially seek to instruct them
in a covenantal understanding of scripture and the continuity between the
new and old testament scriptures.
• In the end I would respect the families convictions and not require them to baptize their child, while at the same
time praying that the Lord would lead them to such a conviction.
• However, the individual who did not hold to the position of paedo-baptism could not become an officer in the
church

Question 38

Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture
proofs.

Answer 38

No, though it is a great grievance to neglect baptism, the outward sign is not so inextricably linked to the inner
reality that one cannot be saved without it. Nor is our confidence in that which is signified and sealed in baptism
such that we equate it with salvation.

Question 39

Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend your answer WCF

Answer 39

• “Although it be a great sin to condemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably
annexed (subordinate part) unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it or, that all that are baptized are
undoubtedly regenerated. “-WCF 28.5

Question 40

Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend your answer Romans 4:11

Answer 40

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still
uncircumcised. “-Romans 4:11

Question 41

Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend your answer TItus 3:4-6

Answer 41

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, “-TItus 3:4-6

Question 42

Can a person be baptized more than once?

Answer 42

• No, a person cannot receive ‘valid” Christian baptism more than once.

Question 43

Can a person be baptized more than once? Explain and defend your answer . WCF

Answer 43

• “The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered unto any person. “-WCF 28. 7

Question 44

Can a person be baptized more than once? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. Titus 3:4-6

Answer 44

• 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,”- Titus 3:4-6

Question 45

How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized Roman Catholic?

Answer 45

• I would want to spend time with that person understanding their view of baptism and what they were really
desiring. I would want to further investigate the manner in which their baptism was administered to see if the name
of the Trinity was used and if there was any discernible faith on the part of either parent. Seeing baptism as a sign of
our passiveness in salvation I would want to encourage the person to view their belief as God’s making effectual .
the sign and sealing of what was signified. Every baptism is administered and received by’ fallen human beings and
thus is wrought with flaws, the question comes in terms of how egregious those flaws were. After all, the only
baptism Calvin received was from the Catholic church.

Question 46

How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized former liberal?

Answer 46

Same/similar to romans Catholic
I would want to spend time with that person understanding their view of baptism and what they were really
desiring. I would want to further investigate the manner in which their baptism was administered to see if the name
of the Trinity was used and if there was any discernible faith on the part of either parent. Seeing baptism as a sign of
our passiveness in salvation I would want to encourage the person to view their belief as God’s making effectual .
the sign and sealing of what was signified. Every baptism is administered and received by’ fallen human beings and
thus is wrought with flaws, the question comes in terms of how egregious those flaws were. After all, the only
baptism Calvin received was from the Catholic church.

Question 47

How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized Mormon?

Answer 47

• I would counsel the person to receive Christian baptism. The reason being that the Mormon church is no church of
Christ. Therefore, I would want this person to recognize a definitive break from this false religion and to identify that though the Mormons may use the same words-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-they speak not of the Trinity, but of
three god’s and manipulations of the true God at that.

Question 48

What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 48

• Perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ.
• Sealing of all the benefits thereof to the true believer.
• Spiritual nourishment and growth for the believer.
• Further engagement in and to all the duties which they owe to him
• Bond and pledge of the believer’s union with Christ and each other.

Question 49

What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper? WCF

Answer 49

• “Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of His body and blood, called the
Lard’s supper, to be observed in His Church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the
sacrifice of Himself in His death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and
growth in Him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto Him; and, to be a bond and pledge
of their communion with Him, and with each other, as members of His mystical body. “-WCF 29.1

Question 50

. What “happens” in the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 50

Christ is present in the Lord’s Supper, not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense. His presence enables
believers to enjoy a mystical communion with Him as they are spiritually nourished by Christ’s body and blood.
-Christ is present in a spiritual sense
-we enjoy mystical communion
-Spiritually nourished

Question 51

. What “happens” in the Lord’s Supper? WCF

Answer 51

• ‘In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to His Father; nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of
the quick or the dead; but only a commemoration of that one offering up of Himself, by Himself, upon the cross,
once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God, for the same: so that the popish
sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is most abominably injurious to Christ’s one, only sacrifice, the alone
propitiation for all sins of His elect “-WCF 29.2

Question 52

. What “happens” in the Lord’s Supper? WSC

Answer 52

• “The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s
appointment, his death is shown forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by
faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.
“-WSC #96

Question 53

Distinguish Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Zwinglian views.
• Roman Catholic

Answer 53

-Transubstantiation: Bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ, though you can’t
see it.

Question 54

Distinguish Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Zwinglian views.
• Lutheran

Answer 54

-Consubstantiation: Bread and wine do not become the body of Christ, but Christ actually is “in, with, and
under” the elements.

Question 55

Distinguish Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Zwinglian views.
• Reformed-Spiritual presence:

Answer 55

The bread and the wine are not changed during the sacrament, but Christ is
spiritually present in a fashion which allows true believers to be spiritually strengthen by a mystical communion
with Christ.

Question 56

Distinguish Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Zwinglian views.
• Zwingli-Memorial:

Answer 56

The bread and the wine are not changed because the sacrament IS only a
memorial to Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.

Question 57

Is Christ in any sense present in the Lord’s Supper? If so how?

Answer 57

• Yes, Christ is spiritually present with believers in the Lord’s Supper.
• ““Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements, in this sacrament, do then also, inwardly by faith,
really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all
benefits of His death: the body and blood of Christ being, then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the
bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements
themselves are to their outward senses. “-WCF 29.7

Question 58

Is Christ in any sense present in the Lord’s Supper? If so how? WCF

Answer 58

the visible elements, in this sacrament, do then also, inwardly by faith,
really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all
benefits of His death: the body and blood of Christ being, then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the
bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements
themselves are to their outward senses. “-WCF 29.7

Question 59

How should believers celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 59

• Examine oneself of your knowledge: to discern the Lord’s body your faith to feed on him of your repentance, love,
and new obedience

Question 60

How should believers celebrate the Lord’s Supper? WSC

Answer 60

• “It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their
knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience;
lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. “-WSC #97

Question 61

How is “fencing the table” practiced during communion?

Answer 61

“Since, by our Lord’s appointment, the sacrament sets forth the communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion
of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are
communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who
have been approved by the session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to
give special invitation to non-communicants to remain during the service.”-BCO 58-4 ,