27.1
Of the Sacraments
Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and His benefits; and to confirm our interest in Him; as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church, and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to His Word.
Rom. 4:11 · Gen. 17:7, 10 · Matt. 28:19 · 1 Cor. 11:23 · 1 Cor. 10:16 · 1 Cor. 11:25, 26 · Gal. 3:17 · Rom. 15:8 · Exod. 12:48 · Gen. 34:14 · Rom. 6:3, 4 · 1 Cor. 10:16, 21
27.2
Of the Sacraments
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.
Gen. 17:10 · Matt. 26:27, 28 · Tit. 3:5
27.3
Of the Sacraments
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.
Rom. 2:28, 29 · 1 Pet. 3:21 · Matt. 3:11 · 1 Cor. 12:13 · Matt. 26:27, 28 · Matt. 28:19, 20
27.4
Of the Sacraments
There are only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained.
Matt. 28:19 · 1 Cor. 11:20, 23, 1 Cor. 4:1 · Heb. 5:4
27.5
Of the Sacraments
The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard to the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New.
1 Cor. 10:1, 2, 3, 4