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THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH (II)
MONDAY, MAY 11
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Titus 3:5
 
“This do in remembrance of me.”
 
THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH (II)
 
There are two specific manners in which the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is a “means of grace.” Jesus said, “this do in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24-25), with reference to both the bread and the cup. Paul adds, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (v 26). So the Lord’s Supper is a “means of grace” in reminding the communicants of Christ, and in showing forth to outsiders the fact of His death on the cross. It is to be perpetuated in the world until Christ comes again.
 
The sacraments are not necessary for salvation, but are useful (1) as visual aids to assist human minds to know what is taught in the Holy Scriptures, and (2) as a public testimony to the outside world of the meaning of faith in Jesus Christ.
 
Now, the phrase, “means of grace,” must not be mechanically interpreted to mean that the sacraments themselves impart salvation. It must be emphasized that Independent, Baptist and Presbyterian churches do not agree with the Roman Catholic error of salvation by works through the mechanical keeping of baptism and the mass.
 
So, what is a sacrament? A Christian sacrament is defined as “an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible [sensory] signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers” (WSC Qn 92). This definition, adhered to officially by Presbyterian bodies, has no peculiar denominational emphasis, but expresses the idea common to all Protestant bodies. In fact, as a mere definition, it is not unacceptable to Roman Catholics.
 
The chief points of emphasis in the definition are (1) that the sacraments are holy ordinances instituted by Christ, and (2) that the sacraments are effective in certain ways.
 
THOUGHT: The sacraments are “mirrors in which we may contemplate the riches of grace which God imparts to us.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Lord, teach me the spiritual truths of Thy Word through the visible signs of Thy holy sacraments.

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