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08. The sacraments.
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08. The sacraments.
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08. The sacraments472. What are sacraments?
Sacraments are fundamental acts of God’s grace. In these holy acts—which are performed by human
beings upon human beings—God grants the recipient salvation.
Salvation: see Question 243. et seq.
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473. What is the purpose of the sacraments?
The sacraments allow human beings to attain salvation: through them, human beings are adopted
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into the fellowship of life with God and preserved in it.
Receiving the three sacraments of Holy Baptism with water, Holy Sealing, and Holy Communion
gives a human being the opportunity to be united with the Lord at the return of Christ.
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Return of Christ: see Question 550. et seq.
474. What comprises a sacrament?
A sacrament is comprised of four elements: sign, content, dispenser, and faith.
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475. What is the “sign” in a sacrament?
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The “sign” is the visible element of a sacrament. In the case of Holy Baptism with water it is the water.
In Holy Communion the “sign” is comprised of the bread and wine. In Holy Sealing, the “sign” is the
laying on of hands of the Apostle.
476. What is the “content” in a sacrament?
The “content” is the effect that imparts salvation. In Holy Baptism with water, the “content” is the
washing away of original sin and the fact that the baptised now enters into the proximity of God. In
,Holy Communion, it is partaking in the body and blood of Jesus. In Holy Sealing, the content is that
the believer receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.
477. Who is the “dispenser” in a sacrament?
The “dispenser” is the person who imparts the sacrament. The Apostles dispense all three
sacraments. By commission of the Apostle, the priestly ministers dispense Holy Baptism with water
and Holy Communion.
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478. What is the significance of “faith” in a sacrament?
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Human beings can only receive the sacrament for their salvation if they believe in its effect.
479. Which sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ instituted three sacraments: Holy Baptism with water, Holy Sealing, and Holy
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Communion.
Holy Baptism with water: see Questions 481. et seq. Holy Sealing: see Questions 515. et seq.
Holy Communion: see Questions 494. et seq.
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“And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three
agree as one.” 1 John 5: 7, 8
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480. To whom did Jesus entrust the administration of the sacraments?
Jesus Christ entrusted the administration of the sacraments to the Apostles.
481. What occurs in Holy Baptism with water?
Through Holy Baptism with water a fundamental change in the relationship between a human being
and God comes into being. Through the washing away of original sin, the baptised is led out of his
, original state of remoteness from God and enters the proximity of God. He becomes a Christian.
Through his faith and profession of Christ, the baptised now belongs to the church of Christ.
482. What is the meaning of “original sin”?
“Original sin” is the condition of separation from God (remoteness from God) that came into being
through the fall into sin. Since the fall into sin, sin has weighed upon all human beings (cf. Genesis 3:
20; Psalm 51: 7; Romans 5: 12, 18-19). Every human being is thus a sinner even before he is
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capable of acting or thinking.
The fall into sin: see Question 88. et seq.
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483. What does the water of Holy Baptism signify?
Water is a prerequisite for life and a means of purification. In baptism, water is the outward sign for
the inner purification of a human being.
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484. Are there any references to Holy Baptism with water in the Old Testament?
Yes, the deliverance of Noah in the ark, which was carried on the water, is a reference to Holy
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Baptism with water. The sevenfold immersion of Naaman in the water of the Jordan (cf. 2 Kings 5:
1-14) can also be seen as a symbol for the washing away of original sin in baptism.
“...when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,
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in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now
saves us—baptism.”
1 Peter 3: 20,21
485. Did Jesus also have to be baptised?
It was not necessary for Jesus Christ to be baptised, nevertheless He submitted to the baptism of
John the Baptist. In so doing He put Himself on the same level as sinners. He thereby showed the
way in which righteousness before God can be attained (cf. Matthew 3: 15).
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