Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ [v], and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them [w].
[v] 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Ver.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
[w] 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted [s].
[s] 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Compared with Ver.23 For I perceive (said Peter to Simon) that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Ver.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Westminster Confession of Faith, ch 27
III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither does the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that does administer it [g]: but upon the work of the Spirit [h], and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers [i].
[g] Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: Ver.29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
[h] Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[i] Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Ver.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism [y], and the Lord’s supper [z].
[y] Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
[z] Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Ver.27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: Ver.28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.164. How many sacraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament?
A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper [d].
[d] Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
1 Corinthians 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. Ver.23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Ver.27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Ver.28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Westminster Confession of Faith, ch 27
IV. 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 [k].
[k] Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. Ver.23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Westminster Confession of Faith, ch 27
V. 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 [l].
[l] 1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; Ver.2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Ver.3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; Ver.4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
End of Lesson, Day 90
For Further Study:
CHAPTER XXVII. - Of the Sacraments - Commentary by Gordon H. Clark
Chapter XXVII. Of the Sacraments - Exposition by Robert Shaw
Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments - Commentary by A.A. Hodge
- Francis R. Beattie's The Presbyterian Standards
- James Fisher's Catechism on the Catechism
- John Flavel's Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism
- Matthew Henry's A Scripture Catechism in the Method of the Assembly's
- Thomas Vincent's The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
- Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity
- John Whitecross' The Shorter Catechism Illustrated
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