The Idea and Importance of the Sacraments (2)

The sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals given by Christ to the church to confirm the faith of His covenant people. They are not empty signs, as some make them out to be. Rather, they really are means of grace by which the Spirit of Christ strengthens the faith that He has worked by the preaching. They are not empty signs, but seals. They seal unto us God's promise, and thus confirm or strengthen our faith. Therefore, to understand the sacraments one must understand what is meant by a...