Understanding the Sacraments:
“The sacraments, of which there are two(baptism and the Lord’s Supper), “have been instituted by the Lord”, and are to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit(Inst. 4, 14, 9). This essay concurs with Calvin and J.I. Packer who also maintains that Jesus Christ instituted two rites for His followers to observe: baptism, a one time rite of initiation, and the Lord’s Supper, a regular rite of remembrance(Packer 209). While other traditions within Christianity recognize more than two sacraments, we are constrained to recognize only two since our guiding resource, Scripture, only bears witness to the institution of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Definition of Sacrament:
Augustine’s definition has certainly stood the test of time as being one of the best definitions of sacrament: “An outward and physical sign of an inward and spiritual grace”(Old 124). John Calvin even quotes this definition before presenting his own, a subtle variation on Augustine’s: “a testimony of divine grace towards us, confirmed by an outward sign”(Inst. 4, 14, 1).
Purpose of the Sacraments:
Calvin rightly maintains that God has instituted sacraments “to be useful aids to foster and strengthen faith”(Inst. 4, 1, 1). Calvin, however, qualifies this by insisting on the presence of the Holy Spirit and preaching, which is required to “beget faith” in the recipient(Inst. 4, 14, 4). The reason we need our faith strengthened, Calvin argues, is because our faith is “feeble” and needs to be “propped up”(Inst. 4, 14, 3). Alister McGrath agrees, elaborating on Calvin’s understanding of sacrament and faith, he maintains that the sacraments are “signs of the grace of God, added to the promises of grace in order to reassure and strengthen (our) faith”(McGrath 435). J.I. Packer explains how the sacrament strengthens our faith by saying, “As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible, and God stirs up faith by both means”(Packer 210).
Definition of Baptism:
This essay wholeheartedly concurs with John Calvin’s definition of baptism,
Baptism is the “sign of the initiation” by which “we are received into the society of the church, in order that . . . we may be reckoned among God’s children” (Inst. 4, 15, 1; emphasis added).
Ulrich Zwingli understood the sacrament of baptism in much the same way, arguing it was a sign or emblem which distinguished the members of a community–it was the sign of our entrance into the church(Old 18). Hughes Oliphant Old goes on to elaborate on the meaning of baptism, saying that the “giving of the Spirit” is the “invisible reality” to which the sprinkling of water gives witness(Old 10). Baptism, therefore, is to be seen as the “sign” and “promise” of the giving of the Holy Spirit(Old 10). In addition to the giving of the Holy Spirit, Old asserts that baptism also “signifies the washing away of sin”(Old 13).
How Should Baptism be Carried Out?:
Calvin appropriately insists that a baptismal ceremony must be “free from all theatrical pomp” which may “dazzle” the eyes, but “deadens” the mind(Inst. 4, 15, 19). The ceremony should always be “in the assembly of believers”, as opposed to a private ceremony(Inst. 4, 15, 19). Martin Bucer, like Calvin, also argued against private baptisms based on the understanding that baptism was the sign of our incorporation into the church and therefore the church should be assembled to celebrate such an event(Old 17). Martin Luther took the “presence of the assembly” one step further by insisting that it is the responsibility of the church to continually support the baptized one in prayer(Old 20). The baptism should be done “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, and should end with “prayers” and “thanksgiving”(Inst. 4, 15, 19). Whether the person being baptized should be “wholly immersed” – once or three times, or sprinkled with poured water is of “no importance” to Calvin as there is no clear mandate to the form of baptism in Scripture(Inst. 4, 15, 19).
– Quotes from: “The Purpose And Nature Of Church Ministry”
by Rev. Bryn MacPhail