Sacraments

Sacraments

1. Christian beliefs

   • The external and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace
     • Something people can experience with their senses
     • But there is a deeper reality to it which cannot be experienced through the senses. ​ ​
   • Eucharist: ‘And when Jesus had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup [of wine] after they had eaten, saying, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for you and the many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20)
   • The Protestant traditions generally acknowledge only the two sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist.
     • They are known as Gospel sacraments because they were authorised by Jesus and there are many references to their use in the books of the New Testament. ​
   • Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

2. Baptism, confirmation and Eucharist​

   • The sacraments are God’s gifts of grace offered to Christians at appropriate points in their lives. ​
   • Baptism marks the start of the Christian life, giving the strength needed for the journey ahead.​
   • Confirmation reinforces baptism, as now those being confirmed make the commitment themselves. ​
   • The Eucharist is unique in that it is the only sacrament intended to be received frequently as it unites them with the risen Christ. ​

3. Reconciliation, marriage, healing and ordination​

   • Reconciliation enables Christians to think about how they have fallen short of God’s will for them. They show their penitence (regret for sins) through confessing their sins and performing a special task set for them by the priest and they are assured of forgiveness through the priest’s words of absolution. ​
   • The sacrament of marriage is believed to unite the couple with each other and with God in what is to be a lifelong loving relationship.
   • Healing is given at times of serious or prolonged illness, not necessarily just when a person is dying. It is believe to give strength and peace of mind. However, when given to those who are dying it is intended to prepare them for death by enabling them to accept peacefully and trustingly what will come. The Eucharist which is given at this point is known as the viaticum, that is, the food for the journey.​
   • Ordination sets apart those who believe God has called them to the priesthood, giving them the gifts needed to carry out their ministry. ​
   • For some Christians, the seven sacraments are the means by which they can grown closer in love to God and are as essential to their spiritual lives as oxygen is to physical life.

4. Quakers and Salvation Army views​

   • Quakers and members of the Salvation Army reject all sacraments.
     • They claim that there is no reference to most of the seven in the Bible.
   • They also think that Jesus did not intend either baptism or his words and actions over the bread and wine at the Last Supper to become rituals for his followers to follow.
   • Above all, they believe that God speaks directly to the believer’s heart and that there is no need of any form of ‘go-between’. Symbols and rituals are a distraction from true religion. ​