Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 176

Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree?

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree, in that the author of both is God;a the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits;b both are seals of the same covenant,c are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other;d and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming.e

Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree?

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree, in that the author of both is God;a the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits;b both are seals of the same covenant,c are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other;d and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming.e

  1. a. Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23

    Matthew 28:19

    28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

    28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    1 Corinthians 11:23

    11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

    11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 10:16

    Romans 6:3–4

    6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

    6:3 Or aren't you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

    1 Corinthians 10:16

    10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

    10:16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Romans 4:11; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:27–28

    Romans 4:11

    4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

    4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

    Colossians 2:12

    2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

    2:12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

    Matthew 26:27–28

    26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

    26:27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 26:28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. John 1:33; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 4:1; Hebrews 5:4

    John 1:33

    1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

    1:33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

    Matthew 28:19

    28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

    28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    1 Corinthians 11:23

    11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

    11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,

    1 Corinthians 4:1

    4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

    4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

    Hebrews 5:4

    5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

    5:4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:26

    Matthew 28:19–20

    28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

    28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

    1 Corinthians 11:26

    11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

    11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (1)

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 93

Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?

The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

Commentaries (8)