Sacraments (General) | Christian Library

The Means of Grace: The Sacraments

Why did the Lord give us sacraments? This article is about the sacraments as a means of grace. The article discusses the sacraments as accent marks, as illustrations of the Spirit, given to strengthen our faith, and to used by the congregation.

The Signs of the Covenant

This article focuses on the signs that God has given to demonstrate and confirm his covenant love: the Sabbath, circumcision and baptism as signs of admission, and the Passover meal, and the Lord’s Supper. The article also discusses how baptism has replaced circumcision, and the Lord’s Supper has replaced Passover (among the other OT feasts).

Using the Sacraments

"The sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use he might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel." The article explains aspects of this definition from the Heidelberg Catechism (LD 25) to bring forth the meaning of sacraments.

The Idea and Importance of the Sacraments (3)

Not only does God tell us about His love and grace, but He also makes them visible to us in the sacraments. This article discusses the sacraments and the church and why there are only two sacraments.

The Idea and Importance of the Sacraments (2)

Not only does God tell us about His love and grace, but He also makes them visible to us in the sacraments. This article discusses sacraments as seals and as a means of grace.

The Idea and Importance of the Sacraments (1)

Not only does God tell us about His love and grace, but He also makes them visible to us in the sacraments. This article is about the sacraments as signs of grace.

Of Crosses and Communion Cups

This article is about Christian symbols and the sacrament. The sacrament as sign and seal, and the sacrament as means of grace is also discussed. 1 Corinthians 11:26-27 is an important passage in this article.

Sacraments

Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments in his church: baptism and Lord's Supper. This article discusses their meaning and function.

Sign and Seal

The word combination “sign and seal” is a well-known expression in the doctrine of the sacraments. It is used in both the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism. The Belgic Confession presents a definition in Article 33 and speaks of “visible signs and seals of something internal and invisible! The Catechism begins the answer to the question as to what the sacraments are, with: “The sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals” (LD 25, Q&A 66). This article discusses what is actually meant by “sign and seal”?

The Sacraments

‘The word sacrament is not found in the Bible, but arose in the course of the early history of the church. It comes from the Latin sacramentum, which signified an oath or pledge which a soldier took at enlisting, and was also used to denote the flag, ensign or badge of battle. The term shows affinity to the ideas of initiation and warfare.

The Sacraments as Visible Words

What does it mean that the sacraments are signs and seals? This article looks at the relationship between covenant promises and covenant signs. It also looks at the relationship between sacraments and God's Word. The sacraments are dependent upon the Word of God.

What Is a Sacrament

What is a sacrament? It is a sign and seal, a means of grace, instituted by Christ. This article considers these things, and explains the meaning of both baptism and the Lord's Supper.

The Visible Word

Is there value in showing a video in a worship service in order to press home the truth of the Scriptures? This article shows that God has given the church the sacraments as the Word for our eyes.

Seeing Is Believing: Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace

What are sacraments? Sacraments are tokens of the Lord's love leading believers to communion with God. This article explains the meaning of sacraments as signs and seals, and as means of grace. It then looks at the meaning of baptism and the Lord's Supper and how they function as signs and seals.

Word and Sacrament in Worship

What is the role of preaching and the sacraments in the worship service? Through these means, God assures believers of the promises of Scripture. The author also discusses the practice of the altar call - does this practice also confirm the gospel?

Basics of the Reformed Faith: The Sacraments

What are sacraments? This article shows that sacraments are visible signs and seals of God’s invisible grace promised to his people in the gospel. Both baptism and Lord's Supper point us to the work of Christ.

What Luther Says: The Means of Grace

Martin Luther is known for leading the reformation. But what was Luther’s theology? This article explains his teaching on the church and sacraments – baptism and Lord’s Supper.

Sacramental Efficacy

This article explains the ways in which the sacraments are efficacious by virtue of participation in them. The Lord's Supper is a means by which the church manifests itself as one body, and baptism effects membership in the church and displays the shape of the church and its position over against the world.

The Sacraments

This article discusses different views of the sacraments. The author also looks at the sacraments as a sign and seal.

Baptism

In this article, the place of the sacraments is discussed. A brief account is given of the origin of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Special focus is laid on the sacrament of baptism, especially its covenantal aspect. The matter of infant baptism is also addressed.

Hermeneutics, the Analogy of Faith and New Testament Sacramental Realism

This article considers the legitimate use of the analogy of faith in the interpretation of Scripture. The role of hermeneutics is further reflected upon in the contexts where language is found that is often interpreted as realistic references to sacramental language.