Lord’s Day 25
Q66. What are sacraments?
Sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed by God for this purpose: to make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and to put his seal on that promise. And this is God's gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ's one sacrifice accomplished on the cross.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Genesis 17:11
“And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.”
Deuteronomy 30:6
“And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”
Romans 4:11
“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”
Matthew 26:27–28
“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Acts 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Hebrews 10:10
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Modernized Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
This question highlights the connection between the doctrine of faith and the sacraments. The Holy Spirit ordinarily produces faith in us through the ministry of the church, which has two components: the word and the sacraments. The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts through the preaching of the gospel, and then nurtures, confirms, and seals that faith through the use of the sacraments. The word is like a charter to which the sacraments are attached as signs. That charter is the gospel itself, and the sacraments are affixed to it as seals of the divine will. Whatever the word promises concerning our salvation through Christ, the sacraments, as signs and seals joined to that word, continually confirm to us, helping us in our weakness. It is fitting, then, that we now turn to the sacraments, the seals of faith appended to the gospel.
Objection. It is said that the Holy Spirit and the word produce faith in us, and that the sacraments strengthen it. How, then, do these three differ from one another?
Answer. They differ significantly.