A Survey ThroughThe Heidelberg Catechism

LORD’S DAY #27, part 1

God’s relationship with man in the world is through covenant. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear

him, and he makes known to them his covenant. (Ps. 25:14, ESV)

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:1; 32:38; Ezek. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 21:3, ESV)

Understanding the Sacramentsis based on Covenant Continuity

Gen. 1:1 Gen. 3:15 Rev. 22:21

Covenant of Covenant of Grace

Works

Covenant of Redemption –

One message of salvation in Jesus Christ (Col. 1:15-20)

One Church/Two CharactersInvisible (the Elect) Full, spiritual

benefits

Visible (Temporal, Experiential) Enjoyment of

outward/temporal privileges Membership –

organizational and confessional affiliation, government and discipline

Means of Grace – Preaching, Sacraments, Prayer

Enjoyment of outward/temporal privileges

Means of Grace – Preaching, Sacraments, Prayer

Holy Spirit softens or hardens the heart under the Word.

Sacraments represent the work of the Holy Spirit in the elect but also signify and condemn imposters who participate in the practices.

Holy Spirit delivers the prayers of the elect but hinders efforts of imposters who wish to bargain with God.

Understanding the Sacramentsis based on Covenant Continuity

Gen. 1:1 Gen. 3:15 Rev. 22:21

Covenant of Covenant of Grace

Works

Covenant of Redemption –

One message of salvation in Jesus Christ

Understanding the Sacramentsis based on Covenant Continuity

Gen. 6-9 2 Peter 3:7

Covenant of Grace

(comp. Hos. 1:10-11 with Rom. 9:24-26; Jer. 31:31-34 with Heb. 8:6-13; Amos 9:11-15 with Acts 15:13-17, etc.)

Covenant Ordinances(or Sacraments) before

ChristCircumcision –

inclusion/identity

of God’s relationship

Passover –

regular observance/reminder

of God’s promise of deliverance

The Basic Elements of Covenant:

1) a bond of promise/blessing.

2) not made among equals

3) stipulations must be fulfilled –

- favor/grace

or curses/consequences

- therefore the stipulations not eternal/irrevocable

(not to be confused with the decrees of God)

(demonstrates a visible, temporal distinction

between “Israel” and “Israel”, rf. Rom. 9:1-6)

4) headship

Covenant Ordinances(or Sacraments) before

ChristCircumcision –

inclusion/identity

of God’s relationship – “You shall be circumcised.”

Passover –

regular observance/reminder

of God’s promise of deliverance –

“Every man shall take a lamb … shall eat the flesh … .”

Covenant Continuity

Circumcision Baptism

(Mt. 28:19; Col. 2:11-12)

Passover Lord’s Supper

(Mt. 26:17-30 & parallels;

1 Cor. 11:23-26)

Covenant ContinuityCircumcision Baptism

Seal of God

(Col. 2:11-12; Phil. 3:3) (cf. Rev. 7:3)

Passover Lord’s Supper Marriage

Supper

Sabbath Lord’s Day Day of the

Lord

Christ at Christ at Christ atCreation Redemption Culmination

What is baptism?WSC #94

Baptism is a sacrament,

wherein the washing with water

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,

doth signify and seal

our ingrafting into Christ,

and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace,

and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

Heidelberg Cat. #66

The sacraments

are holy, visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end,

that by the use thereof He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel;

namely, that He of grace grants us the remission of sins and life eternal, for the sake of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross.

Water Baptism signifies

Water Baptism:it signifies

Roman PresbyterianIndependent/

Catholic Baptistic

enrollment visible visible con-

into the one connection formation of

Church with invisible invisible

(no invisible) Church experience

(individualistic)

Water Baptism:it also seals

Roman Presbyterian Independent/

Catholic Baptistic

guarantees entrusts to the outward

the person validity of God’s expression

is saved promise and of the new

calls for faith believer’s

decision or

testimony

Water Baptism:how it is regarded

Roman PresbyterianIndependent/

Catholic Baptistic

assurance the promise the claim by

of the of God the individual

corporate in response to the visible

church to to faith church and to

the within the the world

individual visible church

New Covenant

Presbyterian Church

Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace

to a World of Need

128 St. Mary’s Church Rd. Abingdon, MD 21009

410-569-0289

www.ncpres.org

www.ephesians515.com