Concerning Sacraments
120. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. God gives us the sign as a means by which we receive that grace and as a tangible assurance that we do in fact receive it.
(Genesis 17:121; John 6:53–58; Romans 2:25–29; 1 Corinthians 10:16)
121. How should you receive the sacraments?
I should receive the sacraments by faith in Christ, with repentance and thanksgiving. Faith in Christ is necessary to receive the grace of the sacraments, and obedience to Christ is necessary for the benefits of the sacraments to bear fruit in my life.
(Mark 16:16; John 6:52–58; Acts 2:38–47; 1 Corinthians 11:27–32)
122. What sacraments were ordained by Christ?
The two sacraments ordained by Christ that are “generally necessary to salvation” are Baptism and Holy Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Holy Eucharist). These are sometimes called “sacraments of the Gospel.”
(Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 22:14–20; John 6:52–58; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22)
123. Are there other sacraments?
Other rites and institutions, sometimes called sacraments though not applicable to all believers, include ordination, marriage, and the anointing of the sick. These are sometimes called “sacraments of the Church.”
(Numbers 8:9–14; 27:18–23; 1 Timothy 4:14; Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–6; John 2:1–11; John 20:21–23; Acts 2:37–41; James 5:14)
124. How do these differ from the sacraments of the Gospel?
They were not ordained by Christ as applicable to all believers, but arose from the practices of the apostles and the Early Church, or were blessed by God in Scripture. God clearly uses them as means of grace.
Baptism
125. What is the outward and visible sign in Baptism?
The outward and visible sign is water, in which candidates are baptized “in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Genesis 9:8–17; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Peter 3:18–22)
126. What is the inward and spiritual grace given in Baptism?
The inward and spiritual grace is death to sin and new birth to righteousness, through union with Christ in his death and resurrection. I am born a sinner by nature, separated from God. But in Baptism, through faith in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, I am made a member of Christ’s Body and adopted as God’s child and heir.
(Psalm 51:1–2, 7–10; Ezekiel 36:25–26; John 3:3–5; Romans 6:1–11; Colossians 2:9–14)
127. What is required of you when you come to be baptized?
Two things are required: repentance, in which I turn away from sin; and faith, in which I turn to Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord and trust the promises that God makes to me in this sacrament.
(Psalm 51:3–6, 13–17; Mark 1:14–15; Acts 2:37–38)
128. What signs of the Holy Spirit’s work should you hope and pray to see as a result of your Baptism?
I should hope and pray that the Holy Spirit, who indwells me, will help me to be an active member of my Christian community, participate in worship, continually repent and return to God, proclaim the faith, love and serve God and my neighbor, and seek justice and peace.
(Matthew 22:35–40; Hebrews 10:19–28; 12:14; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 1:9; 2:1)
Holy Communion
129. Why did Christ institute the sacrament of Holy Communion?
He instituted it for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of his atoning death, and to convey the benefits of that sacrifice to us.
(Exodus 24:1–10; Psalm 23:5–6; Luke 22:17–20; John 6:25–51; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17)
130. What is the outward and visible sign in Holy Communion?
The visible sign is bread and wine, which Christ commands us to receive.
(1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
131. What is the inward gift signified?
The inward gift signified is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are spiritually partaken by faith during the Lord’s Supper and through which I proclaim, receive, and apply Christ crucified, along with all the benefits of his death.
(Deuteronomy 8:1–20; Psalm 78:17–29; John 6:52–56; 1 Corinthians 10:14, 16–18)
132. What benefits do you receive through partaking of this sacrament?
As my body is nourished by the bread and wine, my soul is strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ. I receive God’s forgiveness, and I am renewed in the love and unity of the Body of Christ, the Church.
(1662 Catechism; Psalms 28:6–9; 104:14–15; Jeremiah 31:31–34; John 6:52–56; 17:22–24; Revelation 19:6–9)
133. What is required of you when you come to receive Holy Communion?
I am to reaffirm my repentance of sin and intention to pursue my new life in Christ. I am to remember that I have a living faith in God’s mercy through Christ and proclaim his atoning death with a thankful heart.
(Leviticus 10:1–5; Psalm 50; 1 Corinthians 11:27–32)
134. What is expected of you after partaking in Holy Communion?
I should continue to grow in holiness, avoiding sin, showing love and forgiveness to all, and serving others in gratitude.
(Leviticus 20:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14–32; 1 Peter 4:1–11)
Ordination
135. What is ordination?
Ordination is the laying on of hands by the leadership of the local church with prayer, which confirms the gifts and calling of the candidates, consecrates them, and grants them authority to serve Christ and his Church in the office to which they have been called.
(Isaiah 6:1–8; Luke 9:1; Acts 6:1–7; 13:1–3; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; 4:14; 5:22; Titus 1:5–9)
136. What grace does God give in ordination?
In ordination, God conveys the gift of the Holy Spirit for the office and work of the office being conferred.
(Numbers 27:12–23; Ephesians 4:7–16; 2 Timothy 1:6–7)
137. What are the ordained offices in Reforming Truth Church?
The offices are elders and deacons, which we have received from Scripture and the historic Church.
(Acts 6:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:1; 5:17–22; 2 Timothy 4:5; Titus 1:5)
138. What is the work of elders?
Elders represent and serve Christ and the Church as overseers, pastors, catechists, and missionaries in the tradition of the apostles. They are to train and ordain additional elders, and to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church. They are also tasked with nurturing God’s people through the ministry of Word and Sacrament
(Isaiah 61:1–11; John 20:19–23; 21:15–19; Acts 20:17–35; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:7–9; 1 Peter 5:1–5; Genesis 14:1720; Psalm 132:8–18; Luke 10:1–9; John 10:1–16; Ephesians 4:7–13)
139. What is the work of deacons?
Serving Christ under their elders, deacons care for those in need, assist in public worship, and instruct both young and old in the catechism.
(Deuteronomy 15:7–11; Psalm 119:1–8; Luke 12:35–40; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:8–13)
Marriage
140. What is Christian marriage?
Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love, joy, and faithfulness. It is ordained by God for the procreation and spiritual nurture of children, the sanctification of husband and wife, the mutual support of their common life, and the flourishing of family, church, and society. Husband and wife enter into this covenant by exchanging vows before God and in the presence of witnesses.
(Genesis 2:18–25; Song of Solomon 4:7–10; Matthew 19:3–9; John 2:1–11; Romans 7:2–3; Hebrews 13:4; see questions 322–23)
141. What is signified in marriage?
The union of husband and wife in one flesh signifies the communion between Christ, the heavenly bridegroom, and the Church, his holy bride. Not all are called or able to marry, but all Christians are joined to Christ as members of his Body.
(Song of Solomon 8:6–7; Isaiah 54:48; 1 Corinthians 7:6–11; Ephesians 5:22–33; Revelation 19:6–10; 21:1–4)
142. What grace does God give in marriage?
In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love, wisdom, and godliness, patterned on the sacrificial love of Christ. A Christian marriage embodies this grace in the world, especially through hospitality and care for those who are lonely or in need.
(Genesis 2:18–25; Psalm 128; Proverbs 18:22; Matthew 1:18–25; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13)
Anointing of the Sick
143. What is the anointing of the sick?
Through prayer and anointing with oil, the minister invokes God’s blessing upon those suffering in body, mind, or spirit.
(1 Kings 17:1724; Psalm 107:17–22; Matthew 8:14–17; 10:5–8; Acts 28:8; James 5:15–16)
144. What grace does God give in the anointing of the sick?
God gives healing, strength, and peace, either for recovery from injury or illness, or for perseverance in adversity, especially in preparation for death. (Psalms 103:2–5; 119:49–56; Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 8:5–13; 2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 12:7–10)