Belgic Confession, week 19

Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members

We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance.

Shorter Catechism, week 45

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.^[188]

Q. 92. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ;^[189] wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.^[190]

Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, baptism,^[191] and the Lord’s Supper.^[192]

Children’s Catechism, week 45

Q. 122. How many sacraments are there?
A. Two.

Q. 123. What are they?
A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Q. 124. Who appointed these sacraments?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. 125. Why did Christ appoint these sacraments?
A. To distinguish his disciples from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 45

45. Lord’s Day

Q. 116. Why is prayer necessary for christians?
A. Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us: [a] and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them. [b]

Q. 117. What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?
A. First, that we from the heart pray [a] to the one true God only, who has manifested himself in his word, [b] for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him; [c] secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, [d] that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty; [e] thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, [f] as he has promised us in his word. [g]

Q. 118. What has God commanded us to ask of him?
A. All things necessary for soul and body; which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself has taught us. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Matt.6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Q. 119. What are the words of that prayer? [a]
A. Our Father which art in heaven, 1 Hallowed be thy name. 2 Thy kingdom come. 3 Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 4 Give us this day our daily bread. 5 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 6 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Westminster Confession, week 45

Chapter 28: Of Baptism

1: Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,^[521] not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;^[522] but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,^[523] of his ingrafting into Christ,^[524] of regeneration,^[525] of remission of sins,^[526] and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life.^[527]Which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.^[528]

2: The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.^[529]

3: Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.^[530]

Canons of Dordt, week 45

The Fifth Head of Doctrine: The Perseverance of the Saints

Article 13: Assurance No Inducement to Carelessness

Neither does the renewed confidence of perseverance produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the ways of the Lord which he prepared in advance. They observe these ways in order that by walking in them they may maintain the assurance of their perseverance, lest, by their abuse of his fatherly goodness, the face of the gracious God (for the godly, looking upon his face is sweeter than life, but its withdrawal is more bitter than death) turn away from them again, with the result that they fall into greater anguish of spirit.

Article 14: God’s Use of Means in Perseverance

And, just as it has pleased God to begin this work of grace in us by the proclamation of the gospel, so he preserves, continues, and completes his work by the hearing and reading of the gospel, by meditation on it, by its exhortations, threats, and promises, and also by the use of the sacraments.

Larger Catechism, week 45

Q. 176. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree?
A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree, in that the author of both is God;^[1137] the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits;^[1138] both are seals of the same covenant,^[1139] are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other;^[1140] and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming.^[1141]

Q. 177. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper differ?
A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once, with water, to be a sign and seal of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christ,^[1142] and that even to infants;^[1143] whereas the Lord’s supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul,^[1144] and to confirm our continuance and growth in him,^[1145] and that only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves.^[1146]

Belgic Confession, week 18

Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church

We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church– a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men– as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal.[74] And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith.

Shorter Catechism, week 44

Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.^[185]

Q. 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer;^[186] receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.^[187]

Children’s Catechism, week 44

Q. 120. What is the sixth petition?
A. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Q. 121. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. That God would keep us from sin.