Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.
What the Lord is Saying: Today's lesson title describes one definition of the term sacrament and now I move to a new set of lessons on sacraments. This is a word that is not familiar to me and is not something that I have learned growing up in a Baptist church. In my last lesson on Worship, I had a lesson on Sacraments in Worship and in that lesson I looked at the history of this word "Sacraments" and how it came to be defined both by the Reformers (Protestants) and the Catholics which seem to be the two main body of religious people during the 16th century.
Sacraments was clearly a controversial subject not only between Protestants and Catholics but even between the Protestants today. And this seems to be one of the reasons we have different denominations because of how we have defined this interpretations and churches. Even a church known as the Church of Christ who state they are non-denominational are a church that hold to specific sacraments.
Thus, this new series of lesson will focus on the Reformers view of sacraments and what they are and what they look like or should look like in our lives and churches today. As Tabletalk records:
In contrast to some traditions that view the sacraments as mere memorials and testimonies, traditional Reformed theology affirms that the sacraments convey the promises and grace of God to the elect, but in contrast to Roman Catholicism, traditional Reformed theology understands the efficacy of the sacraments as rooted in the work of the Spirit and faith, not the actual performance of the sacramental rites.
Interesting words here and lots to unpack.
First with the definition. The English word sacrament comes from Latin. And the root of the word is the same as the meaning of "holy" or "consecrate." As such, sacraments are holy mysteries. But this mystery is not an unknown as it is a means to reveal truth. They are specific rites or acts to reveal truth and set God's people apart from the world. Baptism, the Lord's Supper and even preaching are sacraments.
In today's verse, Romans 4:11a, Paul remembers the old covenant sacrament of circumcision. And he states that what this sacrament of circumcision did was describe a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised. So circumcision was a physical representation of an inward decision or faith. It was an outward sign of that which occurred on the inside. It revealed to people what had occurred on the inside. It is a visible mark that God owns us.
Thus, these sacraments and the practice of them become a representation to the outside world that we belong to God. Obviously, not everyone who practices the sacraments is a true representative or part of the remnant (Jeremiah 23:3), but it is meant to be a mark of the visible church.
I think of tattoo's and the prominent place they now have in our world. I have a co-worker that has several tattoo's on her body to chronicle in this permanent way a remembrance of her brother who died and also her kids. When seeing these tattoo's therefore there is no doubt or should be no doubt of what has occurred with her on the inside. My son-in-law has a tattoo on his arm of a nail cross that relays his commitment to Christ and my daughter has also added these tattoo's, though small of a cross and also a New Mexico symbol. They are not ashamed therefore in these ways to press something on their bodies permanently to express who they are or the truth that they want to convey to others. Signs point beyond themselves to something else.
In my life, what do I show others - my life, my words but also a baptism and the Lord's Supper observance but also other avenues of my life.
Summary: Sacraments are signs that point beyond themselves to something else and convey the promises of grace and God.
Promise: For those who believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation, justification, and sanctification, the sacraments provide further confirmation that God cleanses us and nourishes us in Christ.
Prayer: O Lord, thank you for this lesson and these truths about sacraments and revealing to me an understanding of this. I definitely know this has been a subject that has divided many people that are part of Your fold, Your remnant. Lord, give me understanding and help me to understand this subject and what it means to my life as a follower of Yours. Thank you for the truth of Your Word and I pray Holy Spirit that You would continue to reveal truth to me through these times that I have in Your Word and that I would listen and that I would obey.
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