This pattern of word and sacrament has always been a fundamental feature of the Reformational tradition. Of course, the Reformers were following the biblical model of word and bread and wine. The word is spoken, and then our response to the word is to eat and drink. There is certain incompleteness when only word is offered. In many ways, a word-only people lead to an action-less people. But when there is word (training, equipping) and action (eating and drinking), then the gospel is more visible. We are not merely a people who hear, but a people who do. In this sense, having heard the word of the Lord, we now eat and drink of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
