The Sacraments (General)
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. They put a visible difference between the church and the rest of the world. The grace exhibited in or by the sacraments is conferred by the Spirit upon worthy receivers (WCF XXVII).
Westminster Confession
6 sections
Under the gospel, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.
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.
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 the effects of the one are attributed to the other.
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.
There be 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.
The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New.
Shorter Catechism
3 questions
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
Larger Catechism
4 questions
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.
A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace, the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces; to oblige them to obedience; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and to distinguish them from those that are without.
The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ's own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.
Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's supper.
Directory for Public Worship
2 sections
Of the Administration of the Sacraments: and first, of Baptism §6 →
Nor is it to be administered in private places, or privately, but in the place of public worship, and in the face of the congregation, where the people may most conveniently see and hear; and not in the places where fonts, in the time of Popery, were unfitly and superstitiously placed.
The child to be baptized after notice given to the minister the day before, is to be presented by the father, or (in case of his necessary absence) by some Christian friend in his place, professing his earnest desire that the child may be baptized.
Then the minister is to demand the name of the child; which being told him, he is to say (calling the child by his name), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water: as for the manner of doing of it, it is not only lawful but sufficient, and most expedient, to be by pouring or sprinkling water on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony.
Of the Celebration of the Communion, or Sacrament of the Lord's Supper §7 →
The ignorant and the scandalous are not fit to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
When the day has come for administration, the minister, having ended his sermon and prayer, shall make a short exhortation: Expressing the inestimable benefit we have by this sacrament, together with the ends and use of it, setting forth the great necessity of having our comforts and strength renewed by it in our pilgrimage and warfare, how necessary it is that we come to it with knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and with souls hungering and thirsting after Christ and his benefits, and how great the danger is to eat and drink unworthily.
After all have communicated, the minister may, in a few words, put them in mind of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, held forth in this sacrament; and exhort them to walk worthy of it.
Form of Church Government
1 section
Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation §10 →
Related Cruxes
1
Related Personas
20
Personas whose positions on Ecclesiology & Worship differ from the Westminster baseline.