Lord’s Day 25
Q67. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy sacraments he assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 6:3
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”
1 Corinthians 11:26
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”
Galatians 3:27
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
The sacraments have certain things in common with the word, and certain things, again which are different from the word. They agree in the following particulars:
1. Both have God for their author.
2. God administers, and dispenses both by the ministers of the church. He speaks unto us in his word by his ministers, and by them dispenses the signs which are used in the administration of the sacraments. The things, however, which the signs signify, the Son of God bestows upon us immediately; for he said: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." "The bread that I will give is my flesh." John the Baptist says of him: "I indeed baptize you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (John 20:22; 6:51. Matt. 3:11.)