Overview

The second great means of grace is the sacraments. This section covers how the sacraments become effectual (Q161), what a sacrament is and its parts (Q162–164), then Baptism (Q165–167) and the Lord’s Supper (Q168–175), closing with how the two sacraments agree and differ (Q176–177). The key definitions are quoted; the longer answers are summarized.

The Questions & Answers

Q161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation? A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Cor. 3:7, ESV)

Further proofs: 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 Cor. 12:13; Matt. 3:11.

Q162. What is a sacrament? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace, the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces; to oblige them to obedience; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and to distinguish them from those that are without.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith.” (Rom. 4:11, ESV)

Further proofs: Gen. 17:7, 10; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; 10:16–17.

Q165. What is baptism? A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19, ESV)

“…we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death… we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3–4, ESV)

Further proofs: Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Cor. 12:13.

Q167. How is our baptism to be improved by us? A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it… by being humbled for our sinful defilement… by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized… and by endeavouring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3–5, 11, ESV)

Q168. What is the Lord’s supper? A. The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…do this in remembrance of me… you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23–26, ESV)

“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16, ESV)

Q170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord’s supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein? A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord’s supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?… in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16, ESV)

Further proofs: 1 Cor. 11:24–29; John 6:51–58.

Q171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men… of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28, ESV)

Further proofs: 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 5:7–8; 11:18, 20.

Exposition: Q161 guards the sacraments from superstition (no “power in themselves”) and from dependence on the minister’s holiness — the efficacy is “the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ.” Q162’s rich definition adds verbs beyond the Shorter’s: a sacrament signifies, seals, and exhibits Christ’s benefits, strengthens faith, obliges to obedience, cherishes mutual love, and distinguishes the church from the world. On Baptism, Q165 lists what it seals (ingrafting, remission, regeneration, adoption, resurrection) and Q166 (cited in exposition) extends it to “infants descending from parents… members of the visible church” — covenant infant baptism. Q167’s teaching on “improving our baptism” is unique and precious: baptism is not a past event to forget but a sealed promise to draw on “all our life long.” On the Supper, Q170 gives the clearest statement of the real spiritual presence in the Standards: Christ is not present “corporally… in, with, or under the bread and wine” (against both Rome and Lutheranism), yet is “spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements… are to their outward senses.” Q171–175 detail worthy preparation, reception, and the duty afterward.

Connections

• WSC Q91–97 — the sacraments; how they become effectual; Baptism; the Lord’s Supper.
• WCF 27 (Of the Sacraments), WCF 28 (Of Baptism), WCF 29 (Of the Lord’s Supper) — the full doctrine.
• Loci: Sacramental theology (sign and seal; the real spiritual presence; worthy reception); covenant baptism; the means of grace.

Pastoral & Practical Significance

The Larger Catechism’s treatment of the sacraments is full of pastoral riches. Q167’s call to improve our baptism “all our life long” is a neglected treasure: most Christians think of baptism as a one-time event in the past, but the catechism teaches us to keep returning to it — in temptation, drawing strength from the Christ into whom we were baptized; in seasons of doubt, growing “up to assurance of pardon”; whenever we witness another’s baptism, recalling our own “engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.” Your baptism is a standing sermon God preached over you, to be remembered and rested in. On the Supper, Q170 lifts the Table above both empty ritual and bare memory: Christ is really present and really feeds His people — “no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses” — so at the Table you do not merely think about Christ, you commune with Him, receiving Him and all the benefits of His death by faith. That makes the Supper a feast of assurance, the gospel placed on your tongue. Q171’s call to self-examination is not meant to bar the struggling believer but to ensure we come knowingly, repentantly, resting on Christ — exactly the kind of sinner the Table is for. So come prepared, come by faith, and let these holy signs strengthen the faith they signify.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q162, Q165, Q168, and especially Q170 (the real spiritual presence); anchor verses: Romans 4:11; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 10:16.
• Q167 calls me to “improve my baptism” all my life. How can I return to my baptism in temptation and doubt as a sealed promise?
• Q170 teaches Christ is truly, spiritually present at the Table. Do I come expecting real communion with Him, or treating it as mere memory?