Belgic Confession, Article 33: The Sacraments
This excerpt from Article 33 of the Belgic Confession presents the Reformed understanding of sacraments as visible signs and seals of invisible grace, ordained by Christ to nourish faith and confirm salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit. The article affirms that there are only two sacraments—baptism and the Lord's Supper—and emphasizes that their efficacy derives entirely from Christ and the Spirit's power rather than from any inherent quality in the signs themselves. This is essential reading for understanding Protestant Reformed sacramental theology and the historic Reformed rejection of both Roman Catholic and Anabaptist views on the number and nature of the sacraments.
Article 33: The Sacraments We believe that our good God, mindful of our crudeness and weakness, has ordained sacraments for usto seal his promises in us, to pledge good will and grace toward us, and also to nourish and sustain our faith.God has added these to the Word of the gospel to represent better to our external senses both what God enables us to understand by the Word and what he does inwardly in our hearts,confirming in us the salvation he imparts to us.For they are visible signs and...