IV. Des sacrements — Le 47e dimanche
The Necessity of the Sacraments
The sacraments are essential gifts from God, and rejecting them is a sign of pride and spiritual neglect.
The sacraments are necessary. M: Since God instituted the sacraments for our need, it would be pride and presumption to think we can do without them. E: Yes, certainly. So much so that anyone who voluntarily abstains from using them, thinking he has no need of them, despises Jesus Christ, rejects his grace, and quenches his Holy Spirit.
The Nature and Efficacy of Sacramental Grace
While the wicked may nullify the sacraments, they remain effective for those who receive them in faith.
316. M: But what certainty of grace can the sacraments give, seeing that both the good and the wicked receive them? C: Although unbelievers and wicked people nullify the grace presented to them by the sacraments, it does not follow that the sacraments do not have that nature.1 The Effect of the Sacraments 317. M: So how, and when, do the Sacraments produce their effect? E: When they're received in faith, seeking only Jesus Christ and his grace.
Seeking Christ, Not the Sign
The sacraments are not ends in themselves but are signs intended to direct the believer toward Christ.
Seeking Jesus Christ in the Sacraments 318. M: Why do you say that we must seek Jesus Christ in them? E: To make it clear that we shouldn't linger over the earthly sign as if we were to seek our salvation there, and that we shouldn't imagine some power is enclosed in it; on the contrary, we should take the sign as a help that leads us straight to the Lord Jesus, so we may seek in him salvation and every good.23
Strengthening Weak Faith
God provides the sacraments to nourish and seal his promises in the hearts of his children, whose faith remains imperfect in this life.
Growth of faith through the sacraments M: Since faith is required for them, how can you say they are given to us to confirm us in the faith, assuring us of God's promises? Elders: It isn't enough for faith to simply begin in us; it must be nourished and maintained so that it grows and increases day by day.4 Therefore, God gives us the sacraments to nourish, strengthen, and increase it. This is what Saint Paul points to when he says their purpose is to seal God's promises in our hearts (Romans 4:11). The Imperfection of God's Children 320. M: But isn't it a sign of unbelief when God's promises aren't enough for us on their own, without extra help? C: It's a sign of the smallness and weakness of faith—which does belong to God's children, who nonetheless don't stop being faithful—but it isn't yet perfect.5 As long as we live in this world, there will always be some remnants of distrust in our flesh, yet we must keep making progress and growing.6
Read the original Latin
Les sacrements sont nécessaires 315. M : Puisque Dieu a introduit les sacrements pour notre nécessité, ce serait orgueil et présomption de penser qu'on s'en peut passer. E : Oui pour certain. Tellement que quiconque s'abstient volontairement de l'usage, pensant qu'il n'en a point de besoin, méprise Jésus-Christ, rejette sa grâce et éteint son Saint-Esprit.
316. M : Mais quelle certitude de grâce peuvent donner les sacrements vu que bons et mauvais les reçoivent? E : Combien que les incrédules et méchants anéantissent la grâce qui leur est présentée par les sacrements, si ne s'ensuit-il pas que la propriété d'iceux ne soit telle.
L'effet des sacrements 317. M : Comment donc et quand est-ce que les sacrements produisent leur effet? E : Quand on les reçoit en foi, cherchant seulement Jésus-Christ et sa grâce.
Chercher Jésus-Christ aux sacrements 318. M : Pourquoi dis-tu que nous y devons chercher Jésus-Christ? E : Pour signifier qu'il ne nous faut pas amuser au signe terrien pour là chercher notre salut, et que ne nous faut pas imaginer qu'il y ait là quelque vertu enclose, mais au contraire que nous prenions le signe pour une aide qui nous conduise droitement au Seigneur Jésus, pour chercher en lui salut et tout bien.
Augmentation de foi par les sacrements 319. M : Vu que la foi y est requise, comment dis-tu qu'ils nous sont donnés pour nous confirmer en foi, nous assurant des promesses de Dieu? E : Il ne suffit pas que la foi soit seulement commandée en nous pour une fois, mais faut qu'elle soit nourrie et entretenue, puis qu'elle croisse journellement et soit augmentée en nous. Pour la nourrir donc, pour la fortifier et l'accroître, Dieu nous donne les sacrements. Ce que saint Paul dénote, en disant que l'usage d'iceux est de sceller les promesses de Dieu en nos coeurs (Romains 4:11).
Imperfection des enfants de Dieu 320. M : Mais n'est-ce pas signe d'infidélité quand les promesses de Dieu ne nous sont pas assez fermes d'elles-mêmes, sans aide? E : C'est signe de petitesse et infirmité de foi, laquelle est bien aux enfants de Dieu, qui ne laissent pas pourtant d'être fidèles, mais ce n'est pas encore en perfection. Car cependant que nous vivons en ce monde, il y a toujours quelques reliques de défiance en notre chair, et pourtant nous faut-il toujours profiter et croître.
Notes
- 1 ↩French 'propriété d'iceux' means the proper character/nature of the sacraments (as means that present grace), not property in a legal or material sense. 'Anéantissent' is rendered 'nullify' (they make the offered grace of no effect for themselves), not that they destroy the sacraments themselves. Speaker label 'E' (Enfant) is rendered 'C' (Child) to match the Geneva Catechism dialogue roles.
- 2 ↩French 'amuser au' (early modern) means to linger over / get caught up in, not to be amused by; rendered as 'linger over'.
- 3 ↩'vertu enclose' is sacramental-theological language for an intrinsic power sealed in the sign itself; rendered as 'power...enclosed' rather than moral 'virtue'.
- 4 ↩Source "commandée" is read in the Middle French sense "begun/commenced" (the sense required by the following nourishment–growth logic). If taken strictly as modern "commanded/enjoined," the sentence would be less natural and less coherent with the answer that follows.
- 5 ↩French 'infidélité' (s2) is answered by 'fidèles' here: unbelief vs. remaining faithful believers, not moral faithlessness in a general sense. 'Petitesse et infirmité de foi' keeps Calvin's scale of imperfect but real faith in the children of God.
- 6 ↩'Profiter' here is the older spiritual sense 'to make progress / advance,' not material gain; paired with 'croître' (grow).
Catechism of the Church of Geneva (Le catéchisme de l'Église de Genève) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit