SACRAMENTS

What are sacraments? If you are not familiar with Christianity, you may be asking that question. Even if you know something about the Christian faith, a good definition of what a sacrament is may not immediately leap to mind. We believe that sacraments were instituted by God so that our faith in Christ may be strengthened. A good definition is found in Lord's Day 25 of our Heidelberg Catechism:

What are the sacraments?

The sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use He might more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. And this is the promise: that God graciously grants us forgiveness of sins and ever lasting life because of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross."

The sacraments do not work faith in us, but strengthen the faith we have as a gift of God. With the sacraments we know that what we believe in our hearts and minds is as true and certain as is what we see with our eyes.

The Lord Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments: Baptism and Lord's Supper. Baptism is a sprinkling with or immersion in water and it signifies the cleansing of our souls with Christ's blood. Normally, members of our congregations are baptized shortly after birth, but it also happens occasionally that an adult is baptized (when he was not baptized at birth and makes profession of faith in our church).

Why do we baptize infants?

Many churches do not practice infant baptism. Why do the Reformed churches? The best short answer can again be found in the Catechism:

Should infants too be baptized?

Yes, infants as well as adults belong to God's covenant and congregation. Through Christ's blood the redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to adults.

Therefore, by baptism, as sign of the covenant, they must be grafted into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the old covenant by circumcision, in place of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant."

The Lord's Supper is the second sacrament which Christ instituted. We normally celebrate the Lord's Supper four to six times every year. Some churches sit around a table while others take communion in the pew. Regardless of the precise practice, the Ca nadian Reformed churches believe that Christ commanded all believers to partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. We believe that the Lord's Supper is to be kept holy and must not be profaned, so we maintain strict guidelines on who may attend the Lord's Supper. If one is not a professed member of the congregation, an attestation (a letter attesting to the member's faith and life) from a sister congregation is normally required to attend. In some instances, an examination by the consistory of the church concerning doctrine and life may suffice. All this is done out of obedience to the Scriptural injunction that we not profane the Holy Supper.