In my research and writing on Pentecostal sacramentality I have come to appreciate the tension between ex opere operate and ex opere operantis. Please bear with me. The classic Catholic understanding of sacraments is that they convey God’s grace ex opere operate, that is, by virtue of the act. The faith of the recipient is not required. As long as the sacrament is properly administered and grace is not resisted, grace is conveyed. The classic Protestant understanding of sacraments is ex opere operantis, that is, by virtue of the work. Grace is conveyed because of the faith of the recipient and/or the celebrant.
There is an irony here. The Catholic view of ex opere operate insist that the conveyance of grace through the sacrament is an act of unmerited grace. The Protestant view of ex opere operantis suggest that the conveyed grace of the sacrament is merited by the act of faith. In the Catholic view the sacrament is salvific because of the faithfulness of Christ. In the Protestant view the sacrament is salvific because of the believer’s faith. The Catholic view of grace and the Protestant view of merit often escape serious consideration.
I once was engaged in a conversation with a Catholic brother about the distinction between our views of sacraments. I insisted that a sacrament was valid only when received in faith. That led to a discussion about baptism. Again, I insisted on believer’s baptism and suggested that the Catholic practice of infant baptism was not salvific because an infant could not consent in faith. My brother explained that faith is indeed present in infant baptism – the faith of the Church. He then asked, “Have you ever prayed for someone who was very sick and unconscious?” I replied, “Of course.” He then said, “In your view of sacraments, your prayer for a sick and unconscious person is invalid because they are incapable of consenting faith.” Hence the tension between ex opere operate and ex opere operantis.
Or maybe, there is not tension, but synergism. All of God’s redemptive acts are gracious and unmerited. God is utterly faithful. Yes, we are to respond in faith. But our faith is at best imperfect, flawed, and sometimes conflicted with doubt. Let’s consider this from a different perspective.
Several years ago I was in despair of my financial situation. I had prayed, but there seemed to be no answer. I descended into a season of dark depression and doubt. During this season I received a phone call from a friend who prophesied, “God is going to bless you financially. It will begin in a small way, but it will have a snowball effect.” I thanked him for the encouraging words, but I remained full of doubt. Frankly, I was incapable of faith. But my doubt was not a barrier to God. Within days God began to provide. People began to bless us with small financial gifts. Within months God miraculously provided thousands of dollars for our family. The prosperity gospel preachers proclaim that faith is the key to receiving miracles from God. I can testify that God doesn’t need our faith to act in our behalf. Faith does not merit a miracle. All miracles are acts of God’s grace.
Once, a man brought his demonized son to the disciples of Jesus hoping that they could exorcise the demon. The disciples were powerless and faithless to help. When Jesus arrived he declared, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). In his despair, the father exclaimed, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). In the conversation between Jesus and the father we can hear the tension between faith and doubt; and the synergism between God’s grace and the father’s conflicted faith. In spite of an unbelieving generation, the impotence of the disciples, the demonized son’s incapacity, and the father’s despair, Jesus exorcised the demon and delivered the boy. Demonic powers, impotence, nor unbelief could hinder the gracious work of Christ.
Most Christians are plagued by doubts, even if they hesitate to confess it. The trials and disappointments of life often challenge faith at every opportunity. Our seed of faith is often buried under a mountain of doubt. However, the mountains of doubt quake and crumble before the presence of God. Yes, God acts in response to faith. But sometimes God is simply faithful to act.
