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Originally Posted by spicedparrot  By the way - it is my understanding that the Reformed hold the sacraments (in this case Baptism) along with the Preaching of the Word as "Means of Grace". Am I mistaken?
If so doesn't that indeed make Baptism an instrument by which God can give the believer faith? In the same manner that it can be given in the preaching of the Word? After all, isn't Baptism just a "visual word" so to speak.
This is my understanding of Calvin - and frankly many current scholars in the continental reformed tradition. Am I missing something? |
Yes Word and Sacrament are means of grace with one distinction; the Word is a means to salvation, the sacraments are not.
Chapter 14 of the WCF on Saving Faith notes the following:
I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
Hope this helps.