The Sacraments and Means of Grace
Understand the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates redemption — the Word, sacraments, and prayer — and the nature, subjects, and right use of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Salvation is freely given, yet not given in the air. Christ has appointed means through which his benefits reach his people. The Standards gather these under three heads — the Word, the sacraments, and prayer — and then dwell at length on the two sacraments he instituted.
The outward and ordinary means
The Standards name the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates the benefits of redemption: his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer, all made effectual to the elect for salvation. The Word read and preached is the chief of these, a means of convincing, converting, and building up believers in holiness through faith. The means are not bare ceremonies; they become effectual not by any power in themselves or in the one who administers them, but by the working of Christ's Spirit and the blessing of his ordinance.
The nature of a sacrament
A sacrament is a holy sign and seal of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God to represent Christ and his benefits, to confirm our interest in him, and to mark off his people from the world. In every sacrament there is a spiritual relation, even a sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified, so that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.
Under the gospel Christ has appointed only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and neither may be dispensed by any but a lawfully ordained minister of the Word.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament of admission into the visible church, signifying and sealing union with Christ, regeneration, remission of sins, and the believer's engagement to be the Lord's. It is to be administered with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and dipping is not necessary, since pouring or sprinkling is rightly used. The infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized, for the covenant promise belongs to them; yet grace is not so tied to the moment that none can be saved without it, nor that all the baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to Christ's appointment, shows forth his death and conveys to worthy receivers all his benefits for their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. The Confession denies any change of substance in the elements and rejects the sacrifice of the Mass, while affirming that believers truly and really, though spiritually, feed upon the crucified Christ by faith. Those who receive worthily must examine themselves, for to come ignorantly or wickedly is to eat and drink judgment upon oneself.
Study the full text, Scripture proofs, and commentary on each:
- Read WSC 88 and WLC 153–155 and list the ordinances named, then ask what makes them effectual.
- Compare WLC 167 on improving baptism with WLC 174–175 on receiving the Supper.
- Trace the proofs in WCF 29 for feeding on Christ spiritually rather than corporally.
See how this doctrine is stated across the Reformed confessions side by side.
The Sacraments and Means of Grace →