1. The Church The Communion of Saints & The Sacraments
WCF Survey Class

2. Three Main Principles
“The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.” – Ch. 25, Church
“All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their Head Have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties As do conduce to their mutual good.” – Ch. 26, Communion of Saints
“Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and His benefits; and to confirm our interest in Him; and also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to His Word.” – Ch. 27, Sacraments

3. Understanding the Church
The Invisible Church
The elect, chosen before time/space (Eph. 1:10; 22-23)
All part of Christ’s Church (Eph. 5:23, 27, 32)
The Visible Church
Those who profess faith in Christ during their lifetimes
And their children
As well as containing “mixture and error”
True believers
Pretenders

4. Marks of a True, Faithful Visible Church
From 25.4:
“the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced”
“ordinances administered” (sacraments)
Public worship performed purely
From Reformed Teachings:
Preaching of the Word
Right administration of sacraments
Discipleship/discipline of church members

5. Unfaithful/Apostate Church
Denies that the Word has authority over it
Abuses or ignores the sacraments
Denies mercy or justice among its own members (no shepherding of the flock)
Questions to Ask Before Leaving a Church:
Is the Word being preached? How faithfully?
Are the sacraments being observed? How well?
Is the leadership oppressive or neglectful?
Does the church advocate sin?
Is scandalously immoral behavior known and tolerated?

6. Communion of the Saints (Ch. 26)
Romans 12:1-13
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. . . Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. . . Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

7.  The Church is both: Organism fellowship worship community service
Organization
Officers – accountability/teaching/governing
Membership – submission/identity/commitment
head
body

8. Fellowship is NOT Optional!
If we belong to Christ, then we belong to one another.
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:9-11, ESV
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.“ – John 13:34-35, ESV

9. Sacraments (Ordinances)
“holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace”
Sign: Points to
Seal: Promises / Verifies
Augustine: “a visible sign of an invisible grace”
Two: Baptism & Lord’s Supper
Ultimately, both of these point us to our union with Christ and promise us the benefits of that union.
Baptism: Cleansing from sin and the gift of Holy Spirit
Lord’s Supper: Spiritual nourishment from Christ
J o e s ’ s E a t s !
Module
Two

10. God’s Great Goal and Central Covenant Promise
“I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” – Exodus 6:7
“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God.” – Lev. 18:2
“I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples.” – Leviticus 20:24
“And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” – Lev. 26:12
“'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.” – Jeremiah 7:23
“And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.“ – Jeremiah 30:22
“You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. – Ezekiel 36:28
“"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” – Rev. 21:3

11. The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity
Circumcision Baptism Passover Lord’s Supper 
The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity

12. The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity
Gen. 1:1 Gen. 3: Rev. 22:21
Covenant of Covenant of Grace
Works
Covenant of Redemption
The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity

13. The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity
Circumcision Baptism Seal of God (cf. Rev. 7:3) Passover Lord’s Supper Marriage Supper Sabbath Lord’s Day Day of the Lord
The meaning of the sacraments is tied to Covenant Continuity

14. Sacraments: OT & NT Same 2 Sacraments in Substance
Change in Form and in Relation to Fulfillment
Sacrament of Initiation/Inclusion:
Circumcision  Baptism
Now blood-less because Christ has shed His blood
Both point to and call for a deeper reality:
Circumcision  Circumcision of the Heart (Repentance/Faith)
Baptism  Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Repentance/Faith)
Sacrament of Fellowship:
Passover  Lord’s Supper
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper during Passover meal
Both involve partaking of the Passover Lamb (Christ)

15. Colossians 2:11-12, ESV
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. ? ?
not a minister

16. The Purpose for the mark of the Covenant
Circumcision
Baptism
Received upon belief in the God of Abraham.
The outward sign representing the inward clean heart.
The outward sign marking a person’s entrance into the community of the faithful.
Given to the (male) child of believing parents as a sign of God’s claim.
Received upon belief in the God of Abraham.
The outward sign representing the inward clean heart.
The outward sign marking a person’s entrance into the community of the faithful.
Given to the child of believing parents as a sign of God’s claim.
and
The Purpose for the mark of the Covenant

17. The mode of baptism points to its true meaning.
Old Testament water baptisms
were always symbolic
of cleansing and purification
and were never by immersion.
Lev. 11:29-44 (cf. Mk. 7:3-4); 13:44;
14:6-7; 15:11
Num. 8:7; 19:11-13
Ps. 51:7
Ezek. 36:25-27
The mode of baptism points to its true meaning.

18. Views re: The Lord’s Supper
Roman Catholics: Transubstantiation
Lutheran: Consubstantiation

19. Views re: The Lord’s Supper
Roman Catholics: Transubstantiation
Lutheran: Consubstantiation
Memorial

20. Views re: The Lord’s Supper
Roman Catholics: Transubstantiation
Lutheran: Consubstantiation
Memorial
Reformed

21. Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Sacraments call for remembrance and for faithful anticipation:
Baptism: Looks back to Christ’s work on the cross, which circumcision anticipated (the “cutting off”), while also looking ahead to the final cleansing and welcoming into God’s eternal kingdom.
Lord’s Supper: Looks back to the cross, where Christ was our Passover Lamb sacrificed to protect us from God’s judgment, and also looks ahead to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

22. Sacraments, cont. Not ex opere operato
The power is in the work of the Holy Spirit
“worthy receivers” – faith in God, not in sacraments
Must be administered by lawfully ordained men:
Men called to the ministry of Word and Sacrament
Must not separate the preaching of the Word from the sacraments
Must guard their proper teaching and practice

23. Church, Communion of Saints, Sacraments
When we are called to Christ, we are called to His church.
The church is God’s plan, Christ’s kingdom, God’s family, etc.
We belong to each other.
We show the corporate nature of our faith in corporate worship and in the sacraments.
This is “the body of Christ,” not a bunch of Lone Ranger Christians,