Chapter 27 The Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of They were “Sacraments grace.” instituted by God along with the covenant as a representation of Christ and his benefits, as a confirmation of them to us, as demonstration of those who are of his Church and those who are not, and to be a solemn sign to believers in the “engage service of God in Christ according to his word.” every sacrament there is a spiritual relationship or sacramental union between “In the sign and the thing And so they are mutually attributable. signified.” The grace of the sacrament does not derive from any power in the elements of them, or the piety of the one who administers them, but in the work of the Spirit according to Word. God’s There are only two sacraments which Christ ordained in the gospel: Baptism and the Supper. Ordinarily, they may be administered only by a Lord’s “lawfully ordained minister of the word.” The Old Testament sacraments (i.e. circumcision and Passover) signify the same things as their New Testament counterparts. Chapter 28 Baptism Baptism is a New Testament sacrament ordained by Jesus Christ. baptism is the admitting ordinance into the visible Church, the sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of the ingrafting into Christ, of rebirth, remission of sins and of believer’s yielding to God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of “the believer’s life.” Water is to be used in the sacrament of baptism and the person is to be baptized in the Triune name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, ordinarily by a minister of the gospel. Dipping the person in water is not necessary; pouring or sprinkling is sufficient. Not only professing believers are to be baptized in obedience to Christ, but the infants of a believing parent as well. it is a great sin to condemn or neglect this baptism is not the “Although sacrament,” same as s saving grace. One can be saved without baptism, and one can be God’ baptized without being saved. effectiveness not tied to that moment in which it is Baptism’s “is administered.” However, used correctly, promised grace is not only offered but actually it’s
Chapter 27 The Sacraments “Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace.” They were instituted by God along with the covenant as a representation of Christ and his benefits, as a confirmation of them to us, as demonstration of those who are of his Church and those who are not, and to be a solemn sign to “engage believers in the service of God in Christ according to his word.” “In every sacrament there is a spiritual relationship or sacramental union between the sign and the thing signified.” And so they are mutually attributable. The grace of the sacrament does not derive from any power in the elements of them, or the piety of the one who administers them, but in the work of the Spirit according to God’s Word. There are only two sacraments which Christ ordained in the gospel: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Ordinarily, they may be administered only by a “lawfully ordained minister of the word.” The Old Testament sacraments (i.e. circumcision and Passover) signify the same things as their New Testament counterparts. Chapter 28 Baptism Baptism is a New Testament sacrament ordained by Jesus Christ. baptism is the admitting ordinance into the visible Church, the sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of the believer’s ingrafting into Christ, of rebirth, remission of sins and of “the believer’s yielding to God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life.” Water is to be used in the sacrament of baptism and the person is to be baptized in the Triune name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, ordinarily by a minister of the gospel. Dipping the person in water is not necessary; pouring or sprinkling is sufficient. Not only professing believers are to be baptized in obedience to Christ, but the infants of a believing parent as well. “Although it is a great sin to condemn or neglect this sacrament,” baptism is not the same as God’ s saving grace. One can be saved without baptism, and one can be baptized without being saved. Baptism’s effectiveness “is not tied to that moment in which it is administered.” However, used correctly, it’s promised grace is not only offered but actually