FAITH NECESSARY. Without faith, no one can obtain any benefit from the sacraments. But he who believes receives the heavenly gifts offered in them, and has the blessed assurance that he is a child of God and an heir of heaven.
QUESTIONS.—1. How are the spiritual blessings spoken of in the Creed and asked for in the Lord's Prayer brought to us? 2. What are the Means of Grace? 3. Why are they so called? 4. What is the chief means of grace? 5. Why does the Word of God possess saving power? 6. What is a Sacrament? 7. How many Sacraments are there? 8. What are the three essentials of a sacrament? 9. What is the purpose of the sacraments? 10. Does every one who receives the sacraments derive a benefit from them?
SCULPTURE READING.—The Man Born Blind, John 9:1-7.
PART IV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
I. What is Baptism?
Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water comprehended in God's command, and connected with God's Word.