How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual mean of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them. The sacraments ARE not effectual means of salvation, but they can BECOME such. They become means of salvation, not by any virtue or power that is in them. Baptism and the Lords Supper can become means of salvation, only by the blessing of Christ. When Christ gives His Spirit to those that receive the sacraments by faith, then baptism and the Lords Supper become means of salvation. Without the blessing of Christ, baptism is nothing but water, and the bread and wine in the Supper are common bread and wine. Only when the Spirit works in one that receives a sacrament, then they are means of salvation. Baptism saves us; not the baptism by the water, but the baptism with the Holy Spirit. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of
