Some notes and reflections on the Sacraments:
The protests of those wishing to bring reform to the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th Century (in what we now call the Protestant Reformation) highlighted two central issues: firstly (the formal issue), that which is God breathed, namely holy Scripture alone, is the sole infallible rule of faith for the people of God (Sola Scriptura); secondly, (the material issue), that justification before God (to be declared in right standing with God by God) is by faith alone (sola fide).
The Two Views Contrasted:
Roman Catholic View: The Church gives us the word of God and she is the authority to inform/instruct us as to what it teaches
Protestant View: The word of God creates the Church and the Church receives and submits herself to it.
“…have you not read what was spoken to you by God…” – Jesus Christ (Matt. 22:31)
“In the empire of the church, the ruler is God’s Word.” – Martin Luther – Works, Vol. 41, p. 134.
“I have learned to ascribe the honor of infallibility only to those books that are accepted as canonical. I am profoundly convinced that none of these writers has erred. All other writers, however they may have distinguished themselves in holiness or in doctrine, I read in this way. I evaluate what they say, not on the basis that they themselves believe that a thing is true, but only insofar as they are able to convince me by the authority of the canonical books or by clear reason.” – Martin Luther
“Since the church is Christ’s Kingdom, and he reigns by his Word alone, will it not be clear to any man that those are lying words by which the Kingdom of Christ is imagined to exist apart from his scepter (that is, his most holy Word)?” – John Calvin, Institutes
On the basis of the word of God then we discuss the sacraments which are seals and confirmations of the Word (visible Word).
Rom 4:9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well…
Cain and Abel – one sacrifice accepted, the other not (Gen 4) – something indicated God’s approval and disapproval, whether it was visual or audible, we do not know, but something attested to God’s attitude toward each of the offerings.
Rainbow – a visible sign and reminder of God’s promise not to destroy the earth by a flood
Tabernacle – Pillar of Cloud (by day) and Fire (by night) – sign of God’s presence
These were NOT sacraments as such but were certainly a visible testimony for the people of God.
New Testament not so much focused on what happens TO THE SIGNS but in what happens BETWEEN THE PERSONS through them – New Testament not so much focused on what happens TO THE SIGNS but in what happens BETWEEN THE PERSONS through them – NOT in how exactly Christ is present in the sacraments but THAT HE IS PRESENT in His office as Savior of His people.
Westminster Shorter Catechism – “the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.”
Michael Horton – Each time the word is preached and the sacraments attached as signs and seals, we receive our own answer to Abram’s query, “how can I know that this will happen?” Since God’s presence sometimes comes in judgment, we need assurance that He comes to us now in peace.”
THE LORD’S SUPPER – In ancient treaties, covenant meals both CELEBRATED and RATIFIED the covenants being made. Gen 14:17-20 the mysterious figure of Melchizadek, King of Salem and priest of God Most High, “brought out bread and wine” and then pronounced blessing on Abram.
1 Cor 11:26 – Christ died once and for all for sin. In this New Covenant dispensation, the Lord’s Supper is a present participation of a past sacrifice. It is NOT a re-offering or re-presentation of the sacrifice.
Hebrews 10: 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
These sacraments are not play things but signs and seals of the covenant. Abuse results in temporal judgments (inc. sickness and even death – 1 Cor 11:30)
CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE MEAL. When He returns He will join us as a fellow diner in the Marriage supper of the Lamb.
“that which is received in the bread and cup is the sacrificial food and drink of the new covenant, the fruits of the New Testament sacrificial blood. In one supreme concentration… the Lord’s Supper focuses the whole preaching of the gospel upon Christ’s sacrifice and sets the table with it.” – Ridderbos
Therefore we are invited to a table, not an altar. It is not a sacrifice to be re-offered – it is a sacrificial meal, receiving Christ’s body that was crucified and His blood that was shed on our behalf. Christ is not a fellow guest at this meal (with whom we eat and drink) but rather the One who gives Himself as the meal.
Binds us vertically to Christ – horizontally to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Cor 10: 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
GIVEN FOR YOU.. POURED OUT FOR YOU – Luke 22:19, 20