The effectiveness of a sacrament depends not on the outward act alone, nor on the personal holiness of the minister, but on the sovereign grace of God working through His appointed means and received by faith. Sacraments are never magical or automatic; they are gifts ordained by Christ to be rightly administered and faithfully received. When joined to God’s Word and received with repentance and trust, the sacraments become powerful instruments of grace, nourishing and strengthening the believer.

Anglican doctrine, drawing from Article XXV and Article XXVI of the Thirty-Nine Articles, affirms that sacraments are “effectual signs of grace” and that their benefit “cometh not by the faith or holiness of the minister,” but by Christ’s blessing and the operation of His Spirit in the hearts of those who believe. The grace is truly offered in the sacrament, but it is only spiritually fruitful when received by faith.

In Baptism, those who come in repentance and faith are united with Christ, washed clean, and born anew. In the Lord’s Supper, believers who discern the body of Christ and partake worthily are nourished and strengthened. But Scripture warns that careless or unbelieving reception of the sacraments brings no blessing—and may even result in judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27–29).

Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “The sacraments were never meant to work like a medicine, irrespective of the heart of the recipient. The soul must be alive to God. Without faith, the outward sign is empty” (Knots Untied, 1874).

Canon Dr. John Yates III (Falls Church Anglican, ACNA) teaches, “The sacraments don’t work automatically. They must be approached in faith, with a heart open to grace. The Spirit applies Christ’s work through the sacrament to those who are ready to receive it” (Catechesis Forum, 2021).

Rev. Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) explains, “The sacraments must be received with faith and repentance. They are not magic. They are Christ’s appointed means by which the Spirit assures, nourishes, and strengthens those who trust in Him” (Anglican Catechism in Depth, 2020).

Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba (Church of Uganda) affirms, “If you come to the Lord’s Table with pride and without repentance, you mock the cross. But if you come in faith, God meets you with healing, mercy, and power” (Pastoral Letter, 2022).

Thus, for a sacrament to be effective, it must be rightly administered according to Christ’s command and received with a living faith, true repentance, and a desire to be conformed to Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit.