The sacraments replay the work of God, and by them we proclaim His salvation.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11.26

The Sabbath Day and various feasts of the Old Covenant focused on the work of the Lord. They reminded the people that God was their Creator and Redeemer, and that He provided for their needs by causing their lands and herds to be fruitful. God’s people in every age need such reminders. The sacraments which Jesus instituted in the New Covenant perform this memorializing role for the Church today.

Baptism is a seal and symbol of the grace of the Lord in cleansing us from our sin, granting us new life, and incorporating us into His own Body, which is the Church. Not just our own baptism, but every baptism we observe offers a reminder of God’s grace which, by its words of institution and drama, remind us of the grace of God in our salvation.

While the Lord’s Supper is more than merely a memorial, it is at least that. Every communion of the Body of Christ can agree in this. By the words and drama of the Supper we are reminded of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, of the renewing power of His blood, of His giving Himself to us to be with us and in us, of His making us one Body in Him, and of His coming again to receive us unto Himself.

With the sacraments, the Sabbath – now the Lord’s Day – continues to remind us not only of the rest to which we have attained in Jesus Christ, but of the sovereign grace of God in creating and redeeming us for His glory.

These New Covenant “ceremonial laws” have their precedent in the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. We should make sure we understand the sacraments and the Lord’s Day, and the purposes for which God intends them. We should prepare well and participate attentively and sincerely, for then we will gain the benefit and know the promise of these ordinances, precisely as God intended we should.

For a fuller study of the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture, order the book, The Highest Thing, by T. M. Moore, from our online store. These studies and brief essays will help you to see how the pattern of sound worship, which began in the Law of God, comes to complete expression in the rest of Scripture. Pastors, we’re getting ready to start the next season of The Pastors’ Fellowship. Write to me today at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information about how you join in these online discussions. Our theme for the coming series is “The Worldview of God’s Law.” There is no charge for participation, but you must reserve a place for these monthly gatherings. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe.