sacraments

In extra-ordinary circumstances where a sacrament may not be performed in the exact way that Christ prescribed, ought a church to forego the sacrament (or that part of it) or ought principled accommodations be made which keep the essential, spiritual principles of the sacrament? In the...

Romanism has five more sacraments than protestants do: Confirmation Penance Marriage Ordination Extereme Unction (or a Last Anointing) As Romanists can cite verses in the New Testament for each of these things (Acts 9:17; Lk. 3:8; Mt. 19:5-6; Acts 13:2-3; James 5:14), why are they not...

I was reading through some very old works and came across two interesting observations on Baptism. For example Tertullian says, “Tertullian spoke of [the sacrament of] baptism as the beginning of the militia Christi [(service to the church)] and the early church referred to baptism as the...

After talking with one of the deacons of my church, the general teaching surrounding baptism seems to be that it is solely a profession of faith. Essentially that baptism is just a testimony to the congregation that you believe in Christ and are not ashamed to follow and obey Him. This is very...

I came (but currently going through the inquirer's class of a reformed church) from a non-denominational church who just started a consistent celebration of the Lord's Supper early last year. The church also encourages a celebration of the Lord's Supper between members administered or...

5 Marks of a Biblical Church by C. Matthew McMahon Scripture furnishes Christ’s blood-bought church with everything it needs to worship God effectively with the greatest degree of honor (John 4:24). The holy exaltation of God by his people is vital to giving him high praise in glorifying Christ...

Good day, brethren. I was recently asked if I've ever come across in my studies on whether the elements of the Lord's Supper can be administered outside of the church, by the church government, in cases of illnesses and when an individual is bedridden. I have searched my Systematic Theology...

If God alone determines the manner in which sinners approach him, is any other kind of worship acceptable to Him other than what he has prescribed? True Worship and the Consequences of Idolatry – by John Knox (1505-1572). John Knox (1505-1572) was a Scottish Reformer and fiery preacher of...

This classic work by Burroughs deals with the Regulative Principle: God alone determines the manner in which sinners approach him. This is a life-transforming and Christ-glorifying biblical work. Gospel Worship, or, The Right Manner of Sanctifying the name of God in General, in Hearing the...

The Covenant Theology Section has been updated. It has links to Francis Robert's Marrow on CT, as well as Witsius in its entirely online at APM. More to come.

I am a Reformed Baptist who is close to converting to Reformed Paedobaptism/Presbyterianism. I am working through the implications of paedobaptist theology pretty much on my own, as I have a Baptist family and Church. I am wondering what the significance of infant baptism is for union with...

Hello all, this is my first post here on the PB so please forgive me if this has been answered/discussed elsewhere (I couldn't find it), but I was looking for some opinions on the symbolism of circumcision. Let me explain how I presently understand it and then anyone can feel free to help me...

I am working through some thoughts on the Lord's Supper. I keep stumbling over this phrase in 1 Corinthians 11:27 "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord." The nagging question for me is...

Some members of my church recently attended a seminar at a local Baptist church dealing with John Calvin. There, much to the shock and dismay of my fellow Presbyterian churchmen, they claimed that Calvin believed in Baptismal regeneration. It is true that some of his statements do seem to...

Due to a recent thread discussing Oneness Pentecostalism the subject of the proper baptismal formula came up with some contending that the Trinitarian formula wasn't necessary. 1. Do you feel the using the Trinitarian formula is necessary? 2. Would do we make of those who have been not been...

I have read many odd opinions written about Communion/Lord's Supper. But I have recently come across someone who claims the Lord's Supper is not a church Sacrament with bread and wine so much as it is an actual meal. I mean literally. What constitutes the institution of the Lord's Supper is an...

I have a question for my more learned brethren regarding the Roman doctrine of transubstantiation. This question came up during a street witnessing encounter with two of the other elders of my church (I arrived after it was already over) and it stirred some interest in me. As a former...

Our church has practiced weekly communion for years. I believe we see this as the example of the apostolic church, but not a requirement. However, there are many things we see in the NT by way of example (the love feast, selling possessions and having all things in common, etc.) that are not...

There promises to be a very informative Colloquium on the sacraments at this year's General Assembly for the PCA. For those going, it will be from 9:30 am to 12:30 PM on Tuesday, June 10. I'm guessing it will be in a sizable hall at the Hyatt. The colloquium will be on the topic: "What...