Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Sign and seal

The Reformed description of a sacrament: it pictures (signifies) the grace of the gospel and confirms (seals) God's promise to the believer.

From Romans 4:11, where circumcision is called 'a sign' and 'a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith'.

Romans 4:11; and by extension the sacramental language of Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 10–11.

Calvin and the Reformed confessions (Westminster, Heidelberg, Belgic) use this framework to affirm a real efficacy for the sacraments (the Spirit works through them) while denying that grace is conveyed automatically.

The sacrament does not create the grace it signifies but is a God-given means of receiving and being assured of it, effective 'by the working of the Holy Spirit and the word of institution' — for the elect, in God's timing.

Catholic/Orthodox theology sees this as too weak (grace really is conferred); Zwinglian/Baptist theology sees it as too strong (the rite is testimony, not means).

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.