SACRAMENT

According to common usage, the word ‘sacrament’ refers to some formal religious act that is an outward sign of an inward spiritual truth. The two sacraments commanded by Jesus are baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 11:23-24). They are also called ‘ordinances’, meaning rites or ceremonies established by divine command. Baptism is an outward expression of faith in Christ and what he has done for believers through his death and resurrection (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; see BAPTISM). The Lord’s Supper is an outward expression of fellowship with the risen Christ and his people, through recalling his sacrificial death and proclaiming its eternal blessings (Matt 26:26-29; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:26; see LORD’S SUPPER).