The Sacraments
The Sacraments (Jesus’ Gifts)
Apostolic Teaching
Holy Baptism
After His resurrection Christ instituted Holy Baptism when He commanded the disciples to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them.
The Lord’s Supper
On the night when He was betrayed, Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper.
The Power of the Keys
On three separate occasions, as recorded in the Gospels, Christ gave the authority to forgive or to retain sins to the disciples and through them to the church.
Our Bold Confession Today
We recognize the divine origin of these three Sacraments, as they all come directly from Jesus’ Word and ministry. They each involve physical elements with a divine promise attached to them, since Jesus Himself gives that promise.
We therefore regard these as gifts of the Gospel, for this is Christ’s way (means) for delivering (through the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit) the merits of His work on the cross for sinners to individuals. And so these means, when mixed with faith (or when received by poor sinners) effectually bring the Gospel to us individually.
These three Sacraments do not deliver the merits of Christ’s work on the cross to us ex opere operato (that is, by the mere doing of the deed), but must be received (just like the Gospel proclamation) in the heart.
This reception of the Sacraments as God’s gift of salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit as well, for we cannot believe (receive) that gift without His giving to us eyes to see and ears to hear. The glory belongs to God alone for our salvation from beginning to end.