- This article is about sacraments within Christianity. For the use of the term within Catholicism, see Sacraments of the Catholic Church. For other uses, see Sacrament (disambiguation).
A sacrament is a religious symbol, often a rite that conveys divine grace, blessing, or holiness to the believer who participates in it, or a tangible object that represents an intangible object. A rite is an established ceremonious usually Religious act or Process art. In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions An example would be baptism in water, representing (and conveying) baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance Views concerning what rites are sacramental, and what it means for an act to be sacramental vary among Christian denominations and traditions. Some other religious traditions also have what might be called "sacraments" in a sense, though not necessarily according to the Christian meaning of the term.
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General definitions and terms
In western Christianity, a traditional definition of a sacrament is that it is an outward sign that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ. The two most widely accepted sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist, but the traditional seven sacraments or divine mysteries also include Confirmation (Chrismation in the Orthodox tradition), Holy Orders, Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those The term sacred mysteries generally denotes the area of Supernatural phenomena associated with a Divinity or a religious ideology. Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for Chrismation is the name given in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East The term Orthodox Christianity may refer to The Eastern Orthodox Church: the Eastern Christian churches of Byzantine In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. The confession of one's Sins is a religious practice important to many faiths e Anointing of the Sick is distinguished from other forms of religious Anointing or "unction" (an older term with the same meaning in that it is intended as its name Throughout history Christians have regarded Marriage as ordained by God for the lifelong union of a Man
Taken together, these are the Seven Sacraments as recognised by churches in the High church tradition - notably Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Independent Catholic, Old Catholic and some Anglicans. " High Church " relates to Ecclesiology and Liturgy in Anglican theology and practice This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Independent Catholic Churches are Christian denominations (or congregations) which claim apostolic succession The Old Catholic Church is a Christian denomination originating with churches (many of them German -speaking that split from the Roman Catholic Church in Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The Orthodox Church typically does not limit the number of sacraments, viewing all encounters with reality in life as sacramental in some sense, and the acknowledgment of the number of sacraments at seven as an innovation of convenience not found in the Church Fathers, but used infrequently later on from its later encounter with the West[1]. The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church Other denominations and traditions typically affirm only Baptism and Eucharist as sacraments.
Some post-Reformation denominations (including Protestants and other Christian denominations who reject that label) do not maintain a sacramental theology, although they may practice the rites themselves. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. These rites may be variously labelled "traditions" or - in the case of Baptism and the Eucharist ("the Lord's Supper") - "ordinances," since they are seen as having been ordained by Christ to be permanently observed by the church. Ordinance is a Protestant Christian term for Baptism, Communion and other Religious rituals Some Protestants do not call them Protestant denominations, both sacramental and non-sacramental, almost invariably affirm only these two as sacraments, traditions, or ordinances; although they may also practice some or all of the other traditional sacraments as well.
Christian churches, denominations, and sects are divided regarding the number and operation of the sacraments, but they are generally held to have been instituted by Jesus Christ. Church (disambiguation A religious denomination is a subgroup within a Religion that operates under a common name tradition and identity In the Sociology of religion a sect is generally a smaller religious or political group that has broken off from a larger group for example from a Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) They are usually administered by the clergy to a recipient or recipients, and are generally understood to involve visible and invisible components. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. The invisible component (manifested inwardly) is understood to be brought about by the action of the Holy Spirit, God's grace working in the sacrament's participants, while the visible (or outward) component entails the use of such things as water, oil, and bread and wine that is blessed or consecrated; the laying-on-of-hands; or a particularly significant covenant that is marked by a public benediction (such as with marriage or absolution of sin in the reconciliation of a penitent). God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service usually religious
Catholic teaching
Enumeration
The following are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church:[1]
- Baptism (Christening)
- Confirmation (Chrismation)
- Holy Eucharist (or Holy Communion)
- Penance (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick (known prior to Vatican II as Extreme Unction (or more literally from Latin: Last Anointing); informally, the "Last Rites")
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
St. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those Penance is repentance of Sins as well as the proper name of the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation/Confession Anointing of the Sick is distinguished from other forms of religious Anointing or "unction" (an older term with the same meaning in that it is intended as its name The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. Throughout history Christians have regarded Marriage as ordained by God for the lifelong union of a Man Thomas Aquinas
For the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Sacraments, see Aquinas and the Sacraments
Eastern and Oriental Orthodox teaching
- See also: Eastern Orthodoxy - Mysteries
The seven sacraments are also accepted by Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, but these traditions do not limit the number of sacraments to seven, holding that anything the Church does as Church is in some sense sacramental. Aquinas and the Sacraments: The following article is a condensation of the writings of St The term sacred mysteries generally denotes the area of Supernatural phenomena associated with a Divinity or a religious ideology. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Sacramentals are material objects or things ( sacramentalia) set apart or blessed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches and the Anglican More specifically, for the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christian the term “Sacrament” is a Westernism that seeks to classify something that may be impossible to classify. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Preferably the term “Sacred Mystery” is used, the reason being that the “How it is possible” is unanswerable to human understanding. God touches us through material means such as water, wine, bread, oil, incense, candles, altars, icons, etc. How God does this is a mystery. On a broad level, the Mysteries are an affirmation of the goodness of created matter, and are an emphatic declaration of what that matter was originally created to be.
Despite this broad view, Orthodox divines do write about there being seven "principal" mysteries. On a specific level, while not systematically limiting the mysteries to seven, the most profound Mystery is the Eucharist, in which the partakers, by participation in the liturgy and receiving the consecrated bread and wine, understood to have become the body and blood of Christ itself, directly communicate with God. In this sense, there is no substantial difference from the practice of other churches of the Catholic patrimony.
The emphasis on mystery is, however, characteristic of Orthodox theology, and is often called "apophatic," meaning that any and all positive statements about God and other theological matters must be balanced by negative statements. For example, while it is correct and appropriate to say that God exists, or even that God is the only Being which truly exists, such statements must be understood to also convey the idea that God transcends what is usually meant by the term "to exist. "
Anglican teaching
As befits its prevailing self-identity as a via media or "middle path" of Western Christianity, Anglican sacramental theology expresses elements in keeping with its status as a church in the Catholic tradition, and a church of the Reformation. In keeping with its prevailing self-identity as a Via media or "middle path" of Western Christianity, Anglican sacramental theology expresses Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th century England by which the Church of England first broke away from the authority of the Pope With respect to sacramental theology, that Catholic heritage is perhaps most strongly asserted in the importance Anglicanism places on the sacraments as a means of grace, sanctification, and salvation as expressed in the church's liturgy. In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions The word sanctification (see -ification) refers to the act or Process In Theology, salvation can mean three related things being saved from or Liberation from something such as Suffering or the punishment of A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group according to their particular traditions
Anglicans recognise two sacraments - Baptism and the Holy Eucharist - as having been ordained by Christ ("sacraments of the Gospel," as Article XXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles describes them). In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were established in 1563 and are the historic defining statements of Anglican doctrine in relation to the controversies of the Anglo-Catholics have always counted the sacraments at seven. The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism (or sometimes possibly incorrectly High Church &mdashsee below describe people In this sense, Baptism and Eucharist are the "precepted, primary, and principal sacraments ordained for our salvation. " This is a view shared by Old Catholics and others. The Old Catholic Church is a Christian denomination originating with churches (many of them German -speaking that split from the Roman Catholic Church in
In the Anglican tradition, the sacerdotal function is assigned to clergy in the three orders of ministry: bishops, priests and deacons. See also Holy Orders The Anglican ministry is both the leadership and agency of Christian service in the Anglican Communion. Anglicans hold to the principle of ex opere operato with respect to the efficacy of the sacraments vis-a-vis the presider and his or her administration thereof. Ex opere operato is a Latin theological expression meaning literally "from the work having been worked" and with the specific meaning "by the very fact Article XXVI of the Thirty-nine Articles (entitled Of the unworthiness of ministers which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament) states that the "ministration of the Word and Sacraments" is not done in the name of the one performing the sacerdotal function, "neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness," since the sacraments have their effect "because of Christ's intention and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were established in 1563 and are the historic defining statements of Anglican doctrine in relation to the controversies of the "
Lutheran teaching
Martin Luther defined a sacrament as:
- instituted by God;
- in which God Himself has joined His Word of promise to the visible element;
- and by which He offers, gives and seals the forgiveness of sin earned by Christ (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, St. Martin Luther (November 10 1483 February 18 1546 was a German Monk, theologian, university professor Father of Protestantism, and church reformer Louis: Concordia, 1991, 236).
This strict definition narrowed the number of sacraments down to just two, Baptism and Holy Communion, with the other five rituals eliminated for not having a visible element or the ability to forgive sin. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those This definition, and the resulting elimination, has historically been held by Lutheranism. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther
Within Lutheranism, the sacraments are a Means of Grace, and, together with the Word of God, empower the Church for mission (Use and Means of Grace, Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1997, 56). The Means of Grace in Christian theology are those things (the means) through which God gives grace.
It is important to note that though Lutherans do not consider the other five rituals sacraments, they are still retained and used in the Lutheran church. Luther's Small Catechism and the various Lutheran liturgical books, for instance, have short orders of and promote private confession and absolution. A liturgical book is a book published by the authority of a Church, that contains the text and directions for the Liturgy of its official Religious services Though once required for reception of Holy Communion, the practice has fallen out of disuse. Several of the Lutheran denominations have attempted to revive the practice of recent.
Teachings of other Christian traditions
The enumeration, naming, understanding, and the adoption of the sacraments vary according to denomination. Church (disambiguation A religious denomination is a subgroup within a Religion that operates under a common name tradition and identity Many Protestants and other post-Reformation traditions affirm Luther's definition and have only Baptism and Eucharist as sacraments, while others see the ritual as merely symbolic, and still others do not have a sacramental dimension at all. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
In addition to the traditional seven sacraments, other rituals have been considered sacraments by some Christian traditions. In particular, foot washing as seen in Anabaptist and Brethren groups, and the hearing of the Gospel, as understood by a few Christian groups (such as the Polish National Catholic Church of America), have been considered sacraments by some churches. Foot washing or washing of feet is a religious Rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. Anabaptists ( Greek ανα (again twice + βαπτιζω (baptize thus "re-baptizers" are Christians of the Radical Reformation The Brethren are a number of Protestant Christian religious bodies using the word "brethren" in their names The Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC is a Christian church founded and based in the United States by Polish-Americans who were Roman Catholic
Since some post-Reformation denominations do not regard clergy as having a classically sacerdotal or priestly function, they avoid the term "sacrament," preferring the terms "sacerdotal function," "ordinance," or "tradition. Sacerdotalism (from Latin sacerdos, priest literally one who presents sacred offerings sacer, sacred and dare, to give is a term applied to the system " This belief invests the efficacy of the ordinance in the obedience and participation of the believer and the witness of the presiding minister and the congregation. This view stems from a highly developed concept of the priesthood of all believers. The universal priesthood or the priesthood of all believers, as it would come to be known in the present day is a Christian doctrine believed to be derived from several In this sense, the believer himself or herself performs the sacerdotal role.
Baptists and Pentecostals, among other Christian denominations, use the word ordinance, rather than sacrament because of certain sacerdotal ideas connected, in their view, with the word sacrament. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships Sacerdotalism (from Latin sacerdos, priest literally one who presents sacred offerings sacer, sacred and dare, to give is a term applied to the system . [2] These churches argue that the word ordinance points to the ordaining authority of Christ which lies behind the practice. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " [3]
The Community of Christ holds that the sacraments express the continuing presence of Christ through the Church. They help believers establish and continually renew their relationship with God. Through them believers establish or reaffirm their covenant with God in response to God’s grace. [4] This Christian denomination recognizes eight sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Blessing of Children, The Lord's Supper, Marriage, Administration to the sick, Ordination, and Evangelist's blessing. The sacraments are viewed as vital ministries in the Community of Christ for both individual and community spiritual development In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Anointing of the Sick is distinguished from other forms of religious Anointing or "unction" (an older term with the same meaning in that it is intended as its name In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies In the Latter Day Saint movement, a patriarchal blessing (also called an evangelist's blessing) is a blessing or ordinance given by a patriarch [5]
For members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Sacrament is the Lord's Supper, in which participants eat bread and drink wine (or water, since the late 1800s). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known In Mormonism, the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper most often simply referred to as the Sacrament is the Sacrament in which participants partake of The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those It is essentially the same as the Eucharist or Holy Communion in other Christian denominations. In Mormon congregations, the Sacrament is normally provided every Sunday as part of the Sacrament meeting. Sacrament meeting is the weekly worship service held on Sunday in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In LDS teachings, the word ordinance is used approximately as the word Sacrament is used in Christianity in general. In Mormonism, an ordinance is a religious Ritual of special significance often involving the formation of a covenant with God
Some denominations do not have a sacramental dimension (or equivalent) at all. The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments for a variety of reasons, including a belief that it is better to concentrate on the reality behind the symbols; however, it does not forbid its members from receiving sacraments in other denominations[6]
The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be considered holy. The Salvation Army is a Christian charity and church that is internally organised like a military service. Rather, they are focused on an inward transformation of one's whole life. The Quakers use the words "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe the experience of Christ's presence and his ministry in worship. [7]
Teachings of other faith traditions
There are a number of religions which also utilize sacraments in a similar context to the Christian Eucharist.
The Native American Church utilizes The Holy Peyote Sacrament as a means of communion with the Great Father. Native American Church, a religious denomination which practices Peyotism or the Peyote religion originated in the U The NAC as well as the Unaio de Vegital are synchronistic in that they believe that The Bible is the written word of God, in addition to the belief that the sacraments are messengers of his will. The UDV consumes a tea called ayahuasca or Huasca, which is believed to be the Holy Communion.
References
- ^ Here listed in the traditional order (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1210)
- ^ BBC: Religion and Ethics: Pentecostalism
- ^ BELIEVE Religious Information Source: Baptists
- ^ Community of Christ: Sacraments in the Community of Christ Community of Christ
- ^ Community of Christ: The Sacraments
- ^ The Salvation Army: Why does The Salvation Army not baptise or hold communion?.
- ^ [Eden Grace: Reflection on what Quakers bring to the ecumenical table]
External links
- Baptism, Eucharist, & Ministry (an ecumenical statement by the World Council of Churches)
- The Sacraments in the Orthodox Church
- The Sacraments as Means of Grace from Grace upon Grace: Sacramental Theology in the Christian Life. Ecumenism (also oecumenism, œcumenism) refers to initiatives aimed at greater Religious unity or cooperation The World Council of Churches ( WCC) is an international By Gregory S. Neal
Dictionary
sacrament
-noun
- (Christianity) A sacred act or ceremony in Christianity. In Roman Catholic theology, a sacrament is defined as "an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace."
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