Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung

Episode Summary: "What Are the Sacraments?"

Date: November 4, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Kevin DeYoung explores the doctrine of the sacraments within Christian ecclesiology. He examines what sacraments are, why they matter, their biblical foundation, and why Protestants recognize two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) rather than the seven claimed by the Roman Catholic Church. DeYoung aims to clarify misunderstandings and reawaken appreciation for the sacraments as vital, grace-filled elements of the Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Centrality and Passion Surrounding Sacraments

• DeYoung highlights the sacraments as a theological flashpoint—arguably rivaling justification in their historical importance and controversy during the Reformation:

  "With [the] possible exception [of justification], there was more written about the sacraments than anything else... nothing animated people's spiritual, emotional, intellectual life with more passion... than the doctrine of the sacraments." (01:15)

What Is a Sacrament? Three Definitions

• Westminster Shorter Catechism:
  “A holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.” (02:01)
• Simplified (DeYoung):
  “A sacrament is a sign and seal of the covenant. Blessings we receive by faith.” (02:19)
• Augustine’s Definition:
  “A visible sign of invisible grace.” (02:34)

Signs and Seals

• Signs: Sacraments are God-given visible symbols that accompany the spoken gospel.

  “The word adapted to the ear, sacrament adapted to the eye.” (03:00)

• Seals: Sacraments function like a notarized document, authenticating and confirming a covenant relationship.

  “It authenticates. So it shows where this has come from. There's a legal authority to do this.” (04:30)

Biblical Foundation: Romans 4:11

• Paul’s language of “sign and seal” regarding circumcision points to how sacraments function:

  “As signs, sacraments point us to spiritual realities and promises. As seals, they presuppose a covenant transaction, an arrangement between God and then the one who participates in the sacrament.” (05:30)

Reception by Faith

• The efficacy of the sacraments depends on faith—not mere participation:

  “We don’t believe [the sacraments are] just a divine vending machine... you must receive these in faith.” (07:00)

• Even if faith is not outwardly visible (as in infant baptism), the reality remains:

  “To receive what is truly signified, it must be received by faith... that sign would be applied to Ishmael and then to Isaac, one of whom was child of the promise and one of whom was not.” (08:19)

Underappreciation of the Sacraments Today

• DeYoung observes that modern churches, especially Protestant ones, often downplay the sacraments:

  “Yet for many of us, probably the danger is ascribing too little importance to baptism and making the Lord’s Supper too unimportant... rather than [seeing] God is ministering to us through these sacraments.” (10:07)

Why Only Two Sacraments? (vs. Seven in Catholicism) (12:05–27:00)

Not Just Pictures or Powerful Symbols

• Sacraments are not just mere reminders (like marriage, foot-washing, etc.), but actual means of grace instituted by Christ.

The Two Sacraments Instituted by Christ

• Baptism:
  Instituted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

  “Baptism, which is clearly given by the Lord Jesus in the Great Commission... given to the disciples, I would say to the Church, to its ordained officers, and in particular the pastors.” (14:25)

• The Lord’s Supper:
  Instituted at the Last Supper (1 Corinthians 11).

  “Paul makes it very clear he is passing on what was received to him, that this Lord’s Supper is celebrated often... instituted by the Lord himself from the Last Supper.” (15:12)

Catholic Sacraments Not Recognized by Protestants

DeYoung succinctly surveys the five additional Catholic sacraments and why Protestants don’t accept them:

• Confirmation:
  A profession of faith is good, but not instituted as a sacrament by Christ. (16:20)

  “These should not be seen as somehow instituted by Christ as means of grace.”

• Penance:
  Confession and assurance of pardon are biblical, but are applications of the Word, not a separate sacrament, and not tied to works or indulgences. (17:30)

• Ordination:
  Ordination is practiced in the New Testament but, being reserved for some, cannot be an “ordinary means of grace available to all.” (18:57)

  “We argue that this is at odds with the priesthood of all believers...”

• Extreme Unction (Last Rites):
  Anointing the sick (James 5:14) is a biblical practice but not a sacrament instituted by Christ and not present as such in early Church or the ministry of Christ. (20:00)

• Marriage:
  While marriage can be sanctifying, it is never termed an “ordinary means of grace” in the Bible and is a creation ordinance available to all, not just Christians. (22:20)

  “Marriage is a creation ordinance... shared in common with non-Christians.” (22:53)

The Uniqueness of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

• Only these two are directly instituted by Christ, are for all believers, and are spiritually effectual as means of grace.

  “To add to that number or subtract from them dishonors Christ, and it misses the grace that he means to give us in these two sacraments and only in these two sacraments of the Church.” (25:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the drama of sacraments:

  “Let’s have more drama. Let’s stick to the visuals, however, and the drama that the Lord instituted. He gave us sacraments. He gave us the pictures, the visuals that he wants us to see, smell, taste, touch.” (03:30)

• On receiving by faith:

  “You can receive the administration without at that time coming into the fullness or the complete experience of all that is sealed and signed in the sacrament.” (07:50)

• On overvaluing and undervaluing sacraments:

  “We can make them necessary for salvation. We can assume they work like magic. Rituals... can end up minimizing the preached word... Yet for many of us... the danger is ascribing too little importance to baptism and making the Lord's Supper too unimportant.” (09:21)

• On the sufficiency of Christ’s institution:

  “Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are unique in that they are so obviously and directly instituted by Christ, and so to add to that number or subtract from them dishonors Christ…” (25:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:15 — Sacraments and Church History
• 02:01 — What is a Sacrament? Three Definitions
• 03:00 — Sign and Seal Epistemology
• 05:30 — Biblical Basis: Romans 4:11
• 07:00 — Reception by Faith
• 10:07 — Critique of Sacramental Neglect
• 12:05 — Why Only Two Sacraments?
• 16:20 — Review of Additional Catholic Sacraments
• 25:40 — Unique Significance of Baptism & Lord’s Supper

Tone & Style

Kevin DeYoung combines academic rigor with accessible explanations, blending personal insights, scriptural exegesis, and Reformed theological tradition. The mood is urgent yet pastoral, inviting reflection on often-misunderstood or neglected doctrines.

Conclusion

DeYoung calls listeners to recover the centrality and spiritual richness of the sacraments as divine means of grace, rooted in Christ’s own institution. He challenges both overvaluation and underappreciation, and sets a course for deeper sacramental teaching in forthcoming episodes.

For further reading, DeYoung suggests “Daily Doctrine” at crossway.org.