1. The Sacraments
An Introduction
Memorization Verses:
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit.‖
1 Cor. 1:28 [God] chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—
and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.

2.  LSB 602 The pastor’s words are Is food from Calvary.
 1 The gifts Christ freely gives Christ’s The body and the blood
He gives to you and me For us to trust and know. Remove our ev’ry sin;
To be His Church, His bride, Forgiveness that we need We leave His presence in
His chosen, saved and free! Is granted to us there; His peace, renewed again.
Saints blest with these rich The Lord of mercy sends
gifts Us forth in His blest care.  6 All glory to the One
Are children who proclaim Who lavishes such love;
That they were won by Christ  4 The gifts are there each day The triune God in love
And cling to His strong name. The holy Word is read; Assures our life above.
God’s children listen, hear, His means of grace for us
 2 The gifts flow from the font Receive, and they are fed. Are gifts He loves to give;
Where He calls us His own; Christ fills them with All thanks and praise for His
New life He gives that makes Himself, Great love by which we live!
Us His and His alone. Blest words that give them
Here He forgives our sins life,
With water and His Word; Restoring and refreshing
The triune God Himself Them for this world’s strife.
Gives to call Him Lord.
 5 The gifts are in the feast,
 3 The gifts of grace and peace Gifts far more than we see;
From absolution flow; Beneath the bread and wine

3. Sacrament = Mystery
μυστήριον (mysterion)
Help the fallen
phrases:

4. Lutheran Teaching on the Sacraments
A
sacrament
is a
sacred act
instituted
by God,
in which God
Himself has
joined His Word
of promise to a
visible element,
and by which He
offers, gives, and
seals the
forgiveness of sins
earned by Christ.

5. PRAYER
• Sacrament
• Mystery
• Baptism
• Lord's Supper
• Word enclosed
P raise
R epentance
A ppreciation
Y ou
E veryone
R esolve

6. LSB 720
3 Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound;
1 We walk by faith and not by sight,
To call on You when You are near
No gracious words we hear
And seek where You are found.
From Him who spoke as none e’er spoke,
But we believe Him near.
4 For You, O resurrected Lord,
2 We may not touch His hands and side, Are found in means divine:
Nor follow where He trod; Beneath the water and the Word,
But in His promise we rejoice Beneath the bread and wine.
And cry, ―My Lord and God!‖
5 Lord, when our life of faith is done,
In realms of clearer light
We may behold You as You are
With full and endless sight.

7. The first saving ordinance is baptism. Thus,
with baptism, to use the Prophet Joseph
Smith’s metaphor, we step onto the ladder.
Once on the ladder, there are more steps to
take. Climbing the ladder requires many
things: the saving grace of our Savior, our
own faith and repentance and good works,
and the assistance of the priesthood
(see D&C 84:19–22). In particular, our own
good actions are aided by additional
enabling power that comes through
priesthood ordinances: first baptism, and
eventually the temple endowment and
sealing. In effect, we are helped up the
ladder by the grace of Christ ―after all we
can do‖ (2 Ne. 25:23). There is no other way
(see 2 Ne. 31:21).

8. Speaking in other tongues was
the first physical manifestation
of the Holy Spirit baptism
throughout the book of Acts
(Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). Once
you have asked for this baptism,
ask God to anoint you. Then in
praise and worship, wait for the
anointing. This witness of
tongues will come forth. Expect
it! Rejoice in it! You are a
unique individual, and your
experiences will be your own.

9.  Baptism was given to take away
the sin inherited from Adam
(original sin) and any sins we
personally committed before
baptism—sins we personally
commit are called actual sins,
because they come from our own
acts.
 For sins committed after baptism,
a different sacrament is needed. It
has been called penance,
confession, and reconciliation,
each word emphasizing one of its

10.  • What is a sacrament?
 •How many such sacraments are there?
 • Why are we to treasure the sacraments, when water, bread, and
wine are such common elements?
______________________________
 SS: Defined
 M: Mystery
Say Mean Matter
 T: Baptism
 W: Holy Communion Key phrases Own words Answer the
 Th: Word and Promise questions/
Personal
application

11.  You ever hear the expressions:
1. ―Let Jesus reign in your heart‖?
2. ―Jesus leaves inside my heart‖?
3. ―Jesus is with me always‖?
4. ―Jesus is talking to you today‖?
 What do these expressions
mean? Are they:
 Literalistic Truths?
 Figures of Speech?
 Spiritual Realities?
 Something ineffable?
 These popular phrases develop a basic
entry into the realities of Sacramental
Theology

12.  What is your connotation of the
word ―symbol‖?
 Fake?
 Different?
 Representative?
 Picture?
 Have you ever been gripped in a
perfect, perhaps overly kitsch
moment of aesthetic perfection and
beauty?
 Would not the expression ―symbol‖
take on a different, and perhaps, more
efficacious meaning?

13.  Sacrament Etymology:
 L. Sacramentum, ―a consecrating‖, o.
sacred. Oath of loyalty
 Gk. musth/rion, ―something that is
unknown‖ usually used in the context
of God’s will, secret consel, a hidden
purpose, or a exclusively revealed
truth.
 Col. 1:26 ―Even the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations, but now is made
manifest to his saints:‖
 Sacrament Theology:
 The use of MEANS, biblically
instituted, that create, impute, declare,
and reinforce the unity the Saints have
in Christ (both person, and action)

14.  A sacrament is a sacred act
 A. instituted by God,
 B. in which God Himself has joined
His Word of promise to a visible
element,
 C. and by which He offers, gives, and
seals the forgiveness of sins earned by
Christ.
 •

15.  Note: The word sacrament comes to us world, taken up in glory.
from the Latin Bible, where it translates  ….Later it was narrowed down to our
the Greek word mystery. μυστήριον present sense.
(mysterion). At first this word
 •
described all the saving truths of the
faith, such as the Trinity, the
incarnation, the redemption, the church
(see for instance …
 1 Cor. 4:1 This is how one should
regard us, as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
 Eph. 5:32 This mystery is profound,
and I am saying that it refers to Christ
and the church.
 I Tim. 3:16 Great indeed, we confess,
is the mystery of godliness: He was
manifested in the flesh, vindicated by
the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed
among the nations, believed on in the

16.  What if a doctor knew a
patient had a terrible illness,
but required that the patient
blindly anticipate or
understand his serious
predicament without any
MEANS of communication?
 How long would this
doctor be licensed?

17.  God creates and sustains the
world:
 Therefore, He also creates and
sustains language and substances to
be used towards His purpose.
 Why was language created?
 To glorify God, to tell of his salvation
(Ps. 40:3)
 Why was water created?
 To instruct towards a reliance beyond
myself (John 4:13-14)
 To be redeemed as a consecration
when delivered with God’s language
to us. (John 3:5)

18.  While not being a sacrament proper
(discussed later), many archetypes and
foreshadowing of sacramental Theology
exist in the OT.
 Animal Clothing
 Tower of Babel
 Circumcision
 Noah and the Flood
 Sacrificial System
 Passover and Festivals
 The Ten Commandments
 Marriage
 Warfare
 Government
 Temple

19.  Lutherans interpret the number of Sacraments
according to its most basic scriptural
elements:
 Instituted directly by Christ and
developed in thought by the disciples as
they continued the practice for future
generations.
 Pertaining to a consecrated substance or
metaphysical truth (such as language and
spiritual ideas) with Christ’s very
presence and authority (―in the name of‖)
sealing the believer in unity.
 There clearly exist two concrete
sacraments (and one transitory):
 Baptism (Matt. :19, Acts 2:38)
 Communion (Lk. 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:24)
 Confession/Absolution (James 5:16)

20.  By this definition there are two reveal, give, and convey unto me the
sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Lord's saving grace which Christ has
Supper. Note: Sometimes Holy obtained for me. And I thank You for
Absolution is counted as a third Your holy Sacraments, through which
sacrament, even though it has no You did deal with me in
divinely instituted visible element (Large particular, and did seal unto me Your
Catechism IV 74; Apology XIll 4). grace by means of visible signs. I pray
 Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be You, my gracious God, thus to make
baptized, every one of you, in the name me firm and glad in faith, and
of Jesus Christ for the for giveness of altogether sure of Your grace. Amen.
your sins. And you will receive the gift (C.M. Zorn, 1846-1928).
of the Holy Spirit."  •
 1 Cor. 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? (NKJV).
 Pray: I thank You, my God, for Your
Holy Gospel, through which You did

21.  Describing faith as a ―gift‖ leaves
us with inadequate connotations
and misperceptions:
 Gifts may be incomplete
 Gifts may only exist for a while,
then break or become obsolete
 Gifts may require good behavior
(do we have an example of this
coming up?)
 Ultimately, gifts are transient,
stuck in time, are only a single
unit, or are simple rewards for
already inward goodness.

22.  Let us think of the gift of the Sacraments as
unity in RELATIONSHIP:
 When did you love your spouse more, on
your wedding day, or now? (don’t
answer!)
 When were you more connected with your
son or daughter, when they were babies or
when they grew up?
 Baptism, Confession, Communion are all
COMPLETE gifts that confirm the
SAME, FULL truth of Christ
 Some are one time, like births
 Others are after faults, like ―I’m
Sorry’s‖
 Still others are routine like ―oh do you
like it? I am not partial to deserts
myself…but…‖ 

23.  A Sacrament is only effective in so
far as God’s will is active and
sovereign over the world and in
the life of the Church.
 A clear power in the declarative
promises of God in Scripture
 A clear power in the actual
intercession of God in human and
world affairs
 Just as with any miracle, the
sacramental life of the Church
exists because of God’s decree
to forgive and commune with
His Saints.

24.  "The sacraments and all the external
things ordained and instituted by God
should be regarded not according to the
gross, external mask (as we see the
shell of a nut) but as that in which
God's Word is enclosed" (Large Cat.
IV, 19).
 1 Cor. 1:28 God chose what is low and
despised in the world, even things that
are not, to bring to nothing things that
are.
 •

25.  The Father’s proceeding willto be
active in covenant, OT
foreshadowing through sacrifice,
and preservation of Israel as an
efficacious symbol of Christ.
 The Christ’s suffering, death, and
resurrection towards sinful
humanity is the ―primordial‖
sacrament
 The Spirit imparts the Church
communion, the individual will and
discernment, and everlasting thirst
for the means of grace given for
both bodily and spiritual edification

26.  Christ immerses Himself in the boundaries
of human limitation and experience.
 This miraculous infusion of God and man is
unknown except through scripture and by
faith with the conviction of the HS
 Every consecration and participation in the
Eucharist is a breaking down of barriers
between Holiness and the profane.
 It is an efficacious representation and a true
―living within‖ the incarnation of Christ
 Every Baptism is a declaration of Christ’s
birth.
 Water now is a symbol of my complete
rebirth and future resurrection
 I ―live my baptism‖ everyday, just as Christ
lived his humanity everyday for me.

27.  Bible narrative: By God's promise the precious Word. Again we ask You to
plain Jordan River had the power to cure give us thankful hearts that we may
Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14). love Your holy Word, prize it very
 • highly , hear it reverently, and
improve our lives accordingly. And so
 Pray: Almighty and everlasting
may we not only understand Your
God, we pray in the name of Your dear
Word rightly but also meet its
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
requirements by our deeds. May we
First, send a spiritual kingdom and
live in accordance with it and daily
the blessed Gospel ministry. Give us
increase in faith and good works. May
devout and faithful preachers who will
these hallow Your name, let Your
bring forth the treasure of Your divine
kingdom come, and Your will be done.
Word in truth and purity. Graciously
Amen. (Luther).
guard us against schisms and heresies.
Do not look upon our ingratitude with
which we have long ago deserved that
You take Your Word away from us.
Do not punish us as severely as we
deserve. Rather let other harm come
to use, but do not deprive us of Your

28.  TLH 65
 4. When Jesus comes, --O blessed story!--
He works a change in heart and life;
God's kingdom comes with power and glory
To young and old, to man and wife;
Through Sacrament and living Word
Faith, love, and hope are now conferred.

29. A sacrament is a sacred act
A. instituted by God,
B. in which God Himself has joined
His Word of promise to a visible
element,
C. and by which He offers, gives, and
seals the forgiveness of sins earned by
Christ.
By this definition there are two
sacraments: Holy Baptism and the
Lord's Supper.
"The sacraments and all the external
things ordained and instituted by God
should be regarded not according to
the gross, external mask (as we see the
shell of a nut) but as that in which
God's Word is enclosed" (Large Cat.
IV, 19).

30.  The Holy Sacrament
of Holy Baptism