How do the sacraments become effective means of salvation?

Study for the Westminster Shorter Catechism Licensure Exam. Learn with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The sacraments become effective means of salvation primarily through the blessing of Christ and the working of His Spirit in the recipients. This understanding is rooted in the theological belief that the sacraments are signs and seals of God's covenant, and it is only through Christ's authority and the active work of the Holy Spirit that they convey grace and serve their intended purpose.

In this context, the effectiveness of the sacraments is not attributed to human actions, rituals, or the faith of those present, but rather to divine agency. The sacraments symbolize and communicate the grace of God to believers, illustrating that it is ultimately God's action, independent of human merit or worthiness, that makes them powerful instruments of salvation.

This highlights the importance of faith and reliance on God's intervention in the sacramental process, as the recipient's faith plays a role in receiving the grace offered through the sacraments, but it is the blessing of Christ and the Spirit's work that makes the sacraments truly effective.

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