OC | Question 64 & 65

64. It is by faith alone that we share in Christ and all his blessings: where then does that faith come from?

The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts 185 by the preaching of the holy gospel, 186and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments.187

^ 185. John 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 2:8
^ 186. Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25
^ 187. Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16

65. What are sacraments?

Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put his seal on that promise.188 And this is God’s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ’s one sacrifice finished on the cross.189

^ 188. Gen. 17:11; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 4:11
^ 189. Matt. 26:27-28; Acts 2:38; Heb. 10:10