Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 91
Of Sacraments as means of Salvation.
Quest. 91. HOw do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation?
A. The Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation, not from any vertue 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.
Q. 1. What's the first proper sense of this word Sacrament?
A. It primarily signifies a solemn Oath taken by Souldiers when they List themselves under a Prince or General; and this Oath was mutual.
Q. 2. Why do we use it seeing it is not a Scripture word?
A. Though the Word be not found in Scripture, yet the thing intended by it is, and that brings the word in use, for in the Sacraments God obliges himself to us by confirming his Covenant by it, Rom. 4.11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. And we oblige our selves to God, Rom. 6.3, 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefor… we are buried with him in baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Q. 3. What is here meant by Salvation?
A. By Salvation is meant our compleat and final deliverance from sin and misery, both temporal and eternal. From sin, Matth. 1.21. —For he shall save his people from their sins. From misery, 1 Thess. 1.10. —Even Iesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come.
Q. 4. What is a mean of Salvation?
A. A mean of Salvation signifies any appointment of God, whereby he promotes and accomplishes his design of saving our Souls, so the word is a mean, Rom. 1.16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.
Q. 5. How doth the Word and Sacraments differ as means of Salvation?
A. The Word is appointed to be the first means of begeting Faith; 1 Cor. 3.5. Who then is Paul? or who is Apollo? but ministers by whom ye believed, &c. Sacraments are to seal and confirm it, Rom. 4.11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of faith, &c.
Q. 6. What is meant by an effectual mean of Salvation?
A. By an effectual mean, is meant such a mean as fully obtains and accomplishes the end it was appointed for, 1 Thess. 2.13. —Because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men; but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Q. 7. Don't all the means of Salvation prove effectual to men?
A. Though the means of Salvation prove effectual to all Gods Elect, yet they are so to no others, Acts 28.23, 24. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, perswading them concerning Iesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Q. 8. Do not the Sacraments save all that partake of them?
A. No, they do not; Baptism may pass on a cast-away, Acts 8.23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. And the Lords Supper may be received unworthily, 1 Cor. 11.27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Q. 9. What's the reason they prove not effectual to all?
A. Because their vertue and efficacy is not in themselves, but in God; for we see they work as Gods Spirit concurs, or not concurs with them, as in the instance before given.
Q. 10. But is not that for want of wisdom, holiness or zeal in the Minister, that they have no more efficacy?
A. No, it is not principally, or only from thence; for it's not in the power of the holiest Minister in the World to make them effectual, 1 Cor. 3.7. —Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase.
Q. 11. Whence is it that Sacraments become effectual?
A. 'Tis only from the Spirit of Christ working in them, and by them, on the souls of men, 1 Cor. 12.13. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, —and have been all made to drink into one spirit.
Q. 12. What's the first Instruction hence?
A. That men enjoying all the Ordinances of the Gospel, and partaking of the Sacraments annexed to the Covenant of Grace, may yet perish for ever, 1 Cor. 10.3, 4, 5. And did all eat the same spiritual meat: and did all drink the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ) but with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Luke 13.26, 27. Then shall ye begin to say, we have eaten, and drank in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.
Q. 13. What's the second Inference?
A. That men should not idolize some Ministers for the excellency of their gifts, and despise others, seeing 'tis not in them to make the means effectual.
Q. 14. What's the last Inference?
A. That in all our attendance upon the means of Salvation, we should be careful to beg the Spirit and Blessing of Christ, without which they cannot be effectual to our Salvation.