Q. 91. How do the sacraments become
effectual means of salvation?
A. 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,(1) and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive
them.(2)
(1) I Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; I Cor. 3:6-7.
(2) I Cor. 12:13.
Q. 92. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by
sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented,
sealed, and applied to believers.(1)
(1) Gen. 17:7, 10; Exod. 12; I Cor.
11:23, 26.
Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the
New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism,(2) and the Lord's
supper.(2)
(1) Matt. 28:19.
(2) Matt. 26:26-28.
Q. 94. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,(1) doth signify and seal our
ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of
grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.(2)
(1) Matt. 28:19.
(2) Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27.
Q. 95. To whom is baptism to be
administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible
church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him;(1) but
the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.(2)
(1) Acts 8:36-37; 2:38.
(2) Acts 2:38-39; Gen. 17:10. Cf. Col. 2:11-12; I Cor. 7:14.
Q. 96. What is the Lord's supper?
A. The Lord's Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread
and wine, according to Christ's appointment, his death is showed forth; and
the worth receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith,
made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their
spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.(1)
(1) I Cor. 11:23-26; 10:16.
Q. 97. What is required to be the
worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's
supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's
body,(1) of their faith to feed upon him,(2) of their repentance,(3) love,(4)
and new obedience;(5) lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to
themselves.(6)
(1) I Cor. 11:28-29.
(2) II Cor. 13:5.
(3) I Cor. 11:31.
(4) I Cor. 10:16-17.
(5) I Cor. 5:7-8.
(6) I Cor. 11:28-29.
Q. 98. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,(1) for things agreeable
to his will,(2) in the name of Christ,(3) with confession of our sins,(4) and
thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.(5)
(1) Ps. 62:8.
(2) I John 5:14.
(3) John 16:23.
(4) Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4.
(5) Phil. 4:6.
Q. 99. What rule hath God given for
our direction in prayer?
A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;(12) but the special
rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples,
commonly called The Lord's prayer.(2)
(1) I John
5:14
.
(2) Matt. 6:9-13. Cf. Luke 11:2-4.
Q. 100. What doth the preface of the
Lord's prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord's prayer (which is, Our Father which art in
heaven)(1) teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and
confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us;(2) and that we
should pray with and for others.(3)
(1) Matt. 6:9.
(2) Rom.
8:15
; Luke
11:13.
(3) Acts. 12:5; I Tim. 2:1-2.
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