What is a sacrament?
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.
In the confessions
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- #WLC162What is a sacrament? (Westminster Larger Catechism)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 inc...
- #HC66What are the sacraments? (Heidelberg Catechism)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. And this is the promise: th...
- #GC310What is a sacrament? (Genevan Catechism)An outward attestation of the grace of God which, by a visible sign, represents spiritual things to imprint the promises of God more firmly in our hearts, and to make us more sure of them.
- #AOC65What are the sacraments? (An Orthodox Catechism)They are sacred Signes, and Seals, set before our Eyes, and ordained of God for this cause, that he may declare and seal by them the Promise of his Gospel unto us, to wit, that he giveth freely Remiss...
- #GC319Seeing that faith is required, why do you say that they are given to confirm us in faith, to assure us of the promises of God? (Genevan Catechism)It is not sufficient for faith once to be generated in us. It must be nourished and sustained, that it may grow day by day and be increased within us. To nourish, strengthen, and increase it, God give...
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- #WLC163What are the parts of a sacrament? (Westminster Larger Catechism)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.
- #GC362Do these two sacraments not serve another end? (Genevan Catechism)Yes, they do. They are also signs and marks of our profession. That is to say, by them we declare that we are of the people of God, and make confession of our Christianity.
- #GC315Since God has introduced the sacraments to meet our need, it would be arrogance and presumption to think that we could dispense with them? (Genevan Catechism)Certainly: hence he who voluntarily abstains from using them thinks that he has no need of them, condemns Jesus Christ, rejects His grace, and quenches His Holy Spirit.
- #GC314And what moves God to do that? (Genevan Catechism)For the alleviation of our weaknesses. If we were spiritual by nature, like the angels, we could behold God and His graces. But as we are bound up with our bodies, it is needful for us that God should...
- #GC363How ought we to judge a man who never wishes to use it? (Genevan Catechism)He could not be regarded as a Christian, for in so doing he refuses to confess himself as such, and tacitly, as it were, disavows Jesus Christ.