Theology Thursday
Q. 92. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Again, don’t be undone by the language. Our beliefs are not shallow (historically speaking) but have a depth of meaning. The sacraments (baptism & the Lord’s Supper/Communion) are holy ordinances or rituals instituted by Christ.
It’s similar to what happens at my local RSL every 6pm. We hear the horn play and everyone stands. It’s the Ode to Remembrance. For many, it’s just a silly ritual, a symbol they don’t connect with or understand. But for those who have experienced war or its effects, it is deeply meaningful and reminds them of the sacrifice of war.
They are sensible signs. That is, things that we can touch, taste and see that point us to the reality of the good news about Jesus.
For Christians, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper is a deep experience as we reflect and to some extent re-enact the salvation of Christ. In baptism, we physically experience something of the spiritual reality that occurs at salvations as the old self dies under the water and the new self rises alive to God.
In the Lord’s Supper we taste and see the good news about Jesus as we share, united in a meal that remembers the death of Christ, His body broken and blood shed for the sake of sinners.
In Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Spirit is at work, applying the significance and meaning of the sacrament to the believer. Giving us an opportunity to not only remember, but to confess our sins, give thanks for salvation and praise God for His grace.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Matt. 28:19, 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 1:22-26 & 10:16-17, Galatians 3:27
A. A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Again, don’t be undone by the language. Our beliefs are not shallow (historically speaking) but have a depth of meaning. The sacraments (baptism & the Lord’s Supper/Communion) are holy ordinances or rituals instituted by Christ.
It’s similar to what happens at my local RSL every 6pm. We hear the horn play and everyone stands. It’s the Ode to Remembrance. For many, it’s just a silly ritual, a symbol they don’t connect with or understand. But for those who have experienced war or its effects, it is deeply meaningful and reminds them of the sacrifice of war.
They are sensible signs. That is, things that we can touch, taste and see that point us to the reality of the good news about Jesus.
For Christians, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper is a deep experience as we reflect and to some extent re-enact the salvation of Christ. In baptism, we physically experience something of the spiritual reality that occurs at salvations as the old self dies under the water and the new self rises alive to God.
In the Lord’s Supper we taste and see the good news about Jesus as we share, united in a meal that remembers the death of Christ, His body broken and blood shed for the sake of sinners.
In Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Spirit is at work, applying the significance and meaning of the sacrament to the believer. Giving us an opportunity to not only remember, but to confess our sins, give thanks for salvation and praise God for His grace.
For Today:
- Have you been baptised?
- Are you encouraged when you take communion?
- Reflect what you find helpful about the sacraments today.
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He gives His people's good reminders.
- Give thanks for Jesus for His great gift of salvation through His death and resurrection.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be deeply reminded and affected by participation in the sacraments.
Passages: Matt. 28:19, 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 1:22-26 & 10:16-17, Galatians 3:27
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