The Second Mark of the True Church: Proper Administration of the Sacraments

The second mark of the true church is the pure administration of the sacraments. Sacraments are visible signs and seals instituted by Christ himself for His church to observe and keep, pointing us to the New Covenant. The visible sign reminds us what God did in our lives. Through baptism, the water shows us how we were given new life through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our old selves, dead in sin, have passed away (Romans 6). We now live in the newness of life that Christ has given us. Through communion, the bread and wine, we remember and declare the death of our Lord Jesus, who was made sin to take upon Himself our punishment, reconciling us to God (1 Corinthians 11).

Not only is it a visible sign of remembrance, it is also a seal. Through the New Covenant, God made an oath to His people. His oath, the eternal and everlasting promises of the gospel, is visibly sealed in us that we may see and enter in His promise with assurance. Through the faith God has gifted us, He uses the sacraments to strengthen and increase our faith. As John Calvin says, “Lord seals on our consciences his promises of good-will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith.” We can, with confidence, hold on to the confession of hope without wavering (Hebrews 10:23).

Yet, in our sinfulness, we treat the sacraments without any fear. We observe the sacraments as if God does not use it to strengthen and nourish our faith. In our sinfulness, we also use it like a paper talisman or charm, as if just by going through the motions, God is going to save us. Without faith, the sacraments are useless. May God give us holy fear, anticipation, and joy as we look forward to observing the sacraments as Christ the King Church.

~Sion Han