How Do the Sacrament’s Work?
Last week I looked at Question 72 in our catechism – what is a sacrament. This week I want to use Questions 73 to look at how the sacraments work. What happens when we receive a sacrament? How exactly do we receive from God via the sacraments? That is the focus of this question.
In Christ,
Bret
Question 73: What is required for the sacraments to be effective?
The sacraments do not work automatically, but only as the Holy Spirit makes them effective for those who receive them in faith.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In the previous question, we defined the sacraments. Now we must ask how the sacraments become effective. Do they automatically work for anyone who simply does the physical act of receiving the sacrament? Or do they require faith on the part of the recipient?
This is a question where there is a clear distinction between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church states that the sacraments work automatically. (The technical term is ex opere operato – in the working it works.) However, Protestants correctly note that the only way we receive any benefits from Christ – whether by sacrament or otherwise – is by faith. Without faith it is impossible to receive anything from God.
Additional Questions:
What is necessary for the sacraments to help us?
Do the sacraments help everybody or just those who have faith in Christ?
Scripture References:
Romans 4:9–12
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Hebrews 4:2
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Corinthians 11:27–30
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Do the sacraments work like some magical ceremony? If not, what is necessary for us to receive anything from the sacraments?
Can we receive anything from God apart from faith? If not, what does that tell us about what would be necessary for the sacraments to be effective for us?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 91 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism and question 43 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching “What Is A Sacrament?” (March 7, 2010).
Suggested Worship Song:
By Faith (Keith and Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend)
(This song reminds us that the people of God have always walked with God by faith, and that this is the only way to receive anything from our gracious God.)
By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight
By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign
We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight
By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave
By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth
We will stand…
By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name
We will stand…