Together, we have faith

Oct 12, 2025
Week #41 — Day 1
Not Magic!
Q. 91. How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
1 Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6-7; 1 Cor. 12:13.
Q. 92. What is a Sacrament?
A. A Sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
Gen. 17:7, 10; Ex. 12; 1 Cor. 11:23, 26.
Q. 93. Which are the Sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
Matt. 28:19; Matt. 26:26-28.
““What hath stage magic to do with sacramentology? Most people probably would think absolutely nothing! But interestingly, the common utterance of the illusionist—“hocus pocus”—actually originates from a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper. In the Roman Catholic Mass, the priest would lift up the bread and say, “Hoc est corpus meum” (Latin meaning, “This is my body”).”
Excerpt FromGlorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Boekestein & Cruse & Miller)
Not magic! This week we take an in-depth look at the sacraments, called “sacramentology” by theologians. From a Roman Catholic point of view, the bread and the drink taken at the Lord’s Supper become the body and blood of Christ, mysteriously and magically. This is called transubstantiation. Then there is the view of “consubstantiation” and a determination that these are merely symbols and not “seals” of the grace of God to us. And then, are there only two sacraments? Why not more? In other words, debate and some controversy surround baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We need to clarify and outline what sacraments are and do for the Christian believer.
What we can say at the outset is that no magic, no “hocus pocus” happens at baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Communion. There is indeed mystery in Christianity (think about the Virgin Birth) but not magic. The Puritans in the Catechism make clear that these sacraments “become effectual means of salvation not by any virtue in them or in him that doth administer them.” They are taken and received by faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
A Puritan Prayer —
“Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul,
until its virtue diffuses every faculty;
Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt.
Teach me to secure this mighty blessing;
Help me to give up every darling lust,
to submit heart and life to its command,
to have it in my will,
controlling my affections,
moulding my understanding;
to adhere strictly to the rules of true religion,
not departing from them in any instance,
nor for any advantage in order to escape evil,
inconvenience or danger.
Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy;
Strip me of every pleasing pretence of righteousness by my own doings.
O gracious Redeemer,
I have neglected thee too long,
often crucified thee,
crucified thee afresh by my impenitence,
put thee to open shame.
I thank thee for the patience that has borne with me so long,
and for the grace that now makes me willing to be thine.
O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds,
that nothing may ever draw me back from thee, my Lord, my Saviour.”
Excerpt From
The Valley of Vision
Edited by Arthur Bennett