Faith and Sacraments HCLD25

Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 25
65. Since, then, we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by faith only, where does this faith come from?
The Holy Ghost works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, and confirms it by the use of the holy sacraments.

66. What are the sacraments?
    The sacraments are visible holy signs and seals appointed by God for this end, that by their use He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the Gospel, namely, that of free grace He grants us the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life for the sake of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross.

67. Are both the Word and the sacraments designed to direct our faith to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
    Yes, truly, for the Holy Ghost teaches in the Gospel and assures us by the holy sacraments, that our whole salvation stands in the one sacrifice of Christ made for us on the cross.

68. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the New Testament?
    Two: Holy Baptism and the Holy Supper.

Salvation rests solely in the sacrifice of Christ. Both preaching and sacraments serve to direct faith toward this foundational truth. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Romans and Genesis, the sacraments—baptism and the Lord's Supper—are visible, tangible signs and seals of God's covenant and Christ's work, functioning as tokens that point to the real value of His atoning death. The message cautions against elevating sacraments above the preaching of the Gospel, a proper understanding prioritizes the Word as the primary means by which the Holy Spirit works faith in believers' hearts.