Question 91: How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?Answer: 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, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
Dear Neighbor,
The word sacrament is derived from the ancient Roman religions of making and oath to and worshiping the gods; for this reason the Roman Catholic church adopted this word into the Christian faith. The Westminster puritans continued to use the word in their confession and catechisms; both longer and shorter catechisms. The Baptist decided to make a change and call them ordinances. It became excepted in Roman Catholicism that there was virtue in the ordinances and in the priest who administered them.
I do not believe this to be true. I do not believe that Baptism and the Lord’s supper are acts that convey grace but are commands given by Christ as pictures and affirmation of grace. Baptist do not observe Baptism and the Lord’s supper because they convey grace, an effectual means of salvation, but because Christ commanded that we do so.
The ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s supper are illustrations and remembrances of grace. Believers do not receive grace and blessing through sacramental grace, but by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and obeying all that Christ commanded.
Once again I encourage you to consider Acts 2:41-42 as the bases:
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Michael Peek
Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake
