HC 66
Heidelberg Catechism
Q66. What are the sacraments?
The sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use He might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. And this is the promise: that God graciously grants us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life because of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross.
Proof texts
- Gen. 17:11 — [11] You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
- Deut. 30:6 — [6] And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
- Rom. 4:1 — [1] What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
- Matt. 26:27-28 — [27] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, [28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 2:38 — [38] And Peter said to them, “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.
- Heb. 10:10 — [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 17:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q88 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q149 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q88 · WLC Q149 · WCF 27.1 · BC 8.1 · BC 8.2 · BC 8.3 · 1689 28.1