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Only these two have a sign or ceremony ordained by God. The Article distinguishes the sacrament from the grace which the sacrament points to. The sacrament is the sign but it is not the same as the thing which the sign points to. The sacrament or sign is like a promise.

But the two sacraments of Christ are not only a sign. They are signs that bring with them the grace of God. They are signs of God’s good will toward us. Sacraments do not bring the grace that is promised automatically. The grace is not contained in the sign. The sign or sacrament has to be received in the right way, that is, by faith.

The Article says that God works invisibly in us. This does not mean that the sacrament works invisibly. God does an invisible or spiritual work through the sacrament, because the sacrament brings a promise from God. The sign represents and reminds us of the promises of the gospel. It is like a visible word from God. When we recognize and believe what the sacrament is describing, our faith is strengthened. In the sacrament God brings his promises to us in a visible form and we receive the promises by faith.

The Article rejects the practice of worshiping or venerating the sacraments, especially the Holy Communion.

The Article also rejects the idea that the sacraments contain grace, that is, that grace can be received just because we receive the outward sign. The Anglican church says the sacrament must be received in a worthy manner, that is by faith. (See later Articles on Baptism and the Lord's Supper).

Dale

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