Confession of Faith: Chapter XXVII - Of the Sacraments

1

Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,⁵¹¹ immediately instituted by God,⁵¹² to represent Christ and His benefits; and to confirm our interest in Him;⁵¹³ as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church, and the rest of the world;⁵¹⁴ and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to His Word.⁵¹⁵

511

Genesis 17:7Genesis 17:10Romans 4:11

512

Matthew 28:191 Corinthians 11:23

513

1 Corinthians 10:161 Corinthians 11:25-26Galatians 3:17

514

Romans 15:8Exodus 12:48Genesis 34:14

515

Romans 6:3-41 Corinthians 10:161 Corinthians 10:21

2

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 effects of the one are attributed to the other.⁵¹⁶

516

Genesis 17:10Titus 3:5Matthew 26:27-28

3

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:⁵¹⁷ but upon the work of the Spirit,⁵¹⁸ and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.⁵¹⁹

517

Romans 2:28-291 Peter 3:21

518

Matthew 3:111 Corinthians 12:13

519

Matthew 26:27-28Matthew 28:19-20

4

There are 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.⁵²⁰

520

Matthew 28:191 Corinthians 11:201 Corinthians 11:23Hebrews 5:4

5

The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard to the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New.⁵²¹

521

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Westminster Confession of Faith

Of the Sacraments