2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

From Background Notes [BN] for April 21^st & 22^nd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The historical Church has recognized many different means of grace through the centuries. Of the means of grace, the church defines some as sacraments.   The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Confession, Last Rites, Ordination, and Marriage). The Protestant Church typically recognizes two sacraments (Baptism and Communion)...

Some churches do not acknowledge any official means of grace, and some churches and theologians say the number is infinite. Though the sacraments acknowledged and the number of sacraments differ, most Christian denominations recognize that God works through ordinary, physical means to give His grace to His followers. Though not considered sacraments, Christians recognize the grace-giving quality of prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, service, worship, and other disciplines of the Christian life in addition to those listed previously. The Protestant Church may not recognize marriage, ordination, and others as sacraments, but they certainly recognize the grace-filled nature of these actions. The question for many, focuses on the role of the sacraments in the Christian’s life. With an emphasis on the freedom of the Holy Spirit and an inward transformation, many consider the sacraments of little or no value. Protestantism shifted the focus of the worship service from the sacramental to the preaching of the Word. This shift caused the sacraments to become of peripheral importance. This is unfortunate because an added emphasis on preaching does not mean the sacraments have any less value to the Christian life. (For a more in depth discussion of this dilemma and the theological concerns involved read Dr. Rob L. Staples book Outward Sign and Inward Grace.  Available at www.NPH.com.)

Proclaiming the Word of God can and should take two distinct forms of proclamation. First, proclamation should be verbal. “Verbal” means to use words. It is the responsibility of the Church to verbally proclaim the Word of God and His desire for our salvation and growth. We do this by preaching, teaching, and sharing our faith. Second, proclamation should be an action. Christians must use actions to proclaim the Word of God and His desire for people’s salvation and growth. The sacraments are one means to fulfill the active proclamation of the gospel. They are visible and physical. They help us see that, “God may accomplish spiritual ends through material means” (Staples, Outward Sign and Inward Grace, p. 62).  [BN, 2]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at ChicagoFirstChurch of the Nazarene –

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm