The Idea and Importance of the Sacraments (1)

Under ecclesiology (the study of the church) we consider not only what the church is, but also what the church does. We have now moved into this second area, and are considering the church's calling to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. The preaching and the sacraments together are called the means of grace, because they are means that God uses to cause us to partake of the grace that Christ purchased for us. They are sometimes also referred to as means of faith, since it is by...