What Are the Sacrament’s For the Church
Last week I looked at Question 73 in our catechism – how the sacraments work. But there is one final question – what are the sacraments given to the Church? How do we know?. That is the focus of this question.
In Christ,
Bret
Question 74: What are the sacraments the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Church in the new covenant?
The Lord Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments for the Church in the new covenant: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In the previous questions, we defined the sacraments and note that they need to be received in faith to be effective. Now we must ask how many sacraments there are, and what are those sacraments.
This is a question where there is a clear distinction between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church states that there are seven sacraments. However, Protestants correctly note that in order for a practice to be a sacrament it must have been specifically commanded to be practiced by Jesus Himself. Other practices may be important, but they are not sacraments unless they were given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Himself and commanded to be practiced until His return. Protestants correctly note that only two things meet this criterion: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (which also goes by other names such as Communion).
In the coming questions, we will look at each of these sacraments individually. For now, it is important just to be able to correctly identify the two sacraments practiced in the new covenant Church.
Additional Questions:
Can you name the two sacraments?
What are the two sacraments Jesus gave to the Church?
Scripture References:
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 22:19–20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Acts 2:38–39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Colossians 2:11–12
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 5:7–8
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast — as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
Romans 4:11
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.
Questions for Further Discussion:
How many sacraments are there? How do we determine what is and what is not a sacrament?
Do the sacraments precede faith or do they follow it? (See Romans 4:11).
Why does the Church no longer practice circumcision and Passover? Why do we believe that these are no longer signs for believers? What is the relationship between water baptism and circumcision? What is the relationship between the Lord’s Supper and Passover?
Which of the two sacraments is for the beginning of the Christian life? Which of them is to be a continual source of grace for the Christian life?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 68 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 93 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 43 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For further information, see the teaching “What Is A Sacrament?” (March 7, 2010), “Why Should I be Baptized?” (March 14, 2010), and “Communion” (June 3, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
The Church’s One Foundation (Samuel Stone and Samuel Wesley, Public Domain)
(This song begins with a number of lines that are pictures of the Word and sacraments – which lie at the heart of our life in the Church.)
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.
She is his new creation by water and the word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride.
With his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore:
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth has union
with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
may live eternally.