And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 4:42 (ESV)

What are the Means of Grace?

How does Christ give the blessings of salvation to His people? How does a sinner come to faith, and how does a believer grow in holiness and comfort? The answer of Scripture, summarized in the Shorter Catechism, is that Christ uses the means He Himself has appointed:

Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 88

These are called means because they are the instruments Christ uses; ordinary because they are the regular, appointed way He works — not occasional, spectacular, or reserved for a few; and of grace because the blessings they convey are not earned but freely given. The power is never in the water, the bread, the preacher, or the words of a prayer, but in Christ Himself, working by His Spirit through what He has appointed.

Why “Ordinary” Matters

We believe Christ ordinarily builds and strengthens His Church through the means He has appointed. The Westminster Shorter Catechism calls these the “outward and ordinary means” by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption: the Word, the sacraments, and prayer.

“Ordinary” does not mean unimportant, lifeless, or dull. It means that these are the regular means Christ has given His Church and promised to bless. A hungry man is not disappointed that bread is ordinary; bread is ordinary because it is what nourishes him day after day.

The apostles understood this. Faced with the pressures of a growing church, they resolved, “we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Likewise, the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

For that reason, we do not place our confidence in novelty, programs, or religious experiences. At Seven Springs, the Word, sacraments, and prayer are our bread and butter — the outward and ordinary means Christ has given for gathering, feeding, and strengthening His people.

The Word

Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 89

The Word of God is read and preached in every service. When the Bible is faithfully preached, Christ Himself speaks to His people. It is through the Word that unbelievers are convicted and converted, and through the Word that believers are strengthened, corrected, and comforted. This is why we come to worship expecting to hear from God, and why we encourage every member to read Scripture daily at home.

The Sacraments

Q. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 91

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are signs and seals of the covenant of grace. In them Christ and His benefits are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. They do not add to the Word but confirm it, making the promises of the gospel visible. In baptism God marks His people as His own; in the Lord’s Supper He nourishes them, by faith, with the body and blood of Christ for their spiritual growth.

Prayer

Q. 98. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 98

Prayer is not only something we do; it is a means by which God gives. In prayer we confess our dependence on Him, receive His promises, and are drawn nearer to Christ. The church prays together in public worship and at our midweek meeting, and every Christian is called to pray in secret and with their family.

Where You Will Find the Means of Grace at Seven Springs?

• Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Worship — the Word read and preached, the sacraments administered, and the prayers of the church.
• Sunday School — instruction in the Scriptures and the Westminster Standards for all ages.
• Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer — study of Scripture and the Confession, with prayer for the needs of the congregation.
• Family and Private Worship — reading Scripture, praying, and singing at home throughout the week.