Sacrament

This article is about the religious term. For other uses, see Sacrament (disambiguation).

The Seven Sacraments , an altarpiece by Rogier van der Weyden

A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. ^[1] There are various views on the existence, number and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the reality of God, as well as a channel for God's grace. Many denominations, including the Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, hold to the definition of sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo: an outward sign of an inward grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} Sacraments signify God's grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant. ^[5]

The Catholic Church, Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church recognise seven sacraments: Baptism, Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Eucharist (or Holy Communion), Confirmation, Marriage (Matrimony), Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction). ^{[6] [7]} The Eastern Churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, also believe that there are seven major sacraments, but apply the words sacred mysteries corresponding to Greek word, μυστήριον (mysterion), and also to rites that in the Western tradition are called sacramentals and to other realities, such as the Church itself. ^{[8] [9] [10]} Many Protestant denominations, such as those within the Reformed tradition, preach just two sacraments instituted by Christ: the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) and Baptism. ^[11] The Lutheran sacraments include these two, often adding Confession (and Absolution) as a third sacrament. ^{[11] [12]} Anglican and Methodist teaching is that "there are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord," and that "those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel." ^{[13] [14]}

Some traditions, such as the Religious Society of Friends do not observe any of the rites, or, in the case of Anabaptists, hold that they are simply reminders or commendable practices that do not impart actual grace—not sacraments but "ordinances" pertaining to certain aspects of the Christian faith. ^[15]

Etymology

The English word sacrament is derived indirectly from the Ecclesiastical Latin sacrāmentum, from the Latin sacrō ('hallow, consecrate'), itself derive from the Latin sacer ('sacred, holy'). In Ancient Rome, the term meant a soldier's oath of allegiance. Tertullian, a 3rd-century Christian writer, suggested that just as the soldier's oath was a sign of the beginning of a new life, so too was initiation into the Christian community through baptism and Eucharist. ^[16]

Summary table

Denomination	Baptism	Confirmation	Holy Communion	Penance	Marriage	Holy Orders	Anointing of the Sick	Holy Leaven	Sign of the Cross
Catholic	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Eastern Orthodox	Yes	Yes (Chrismation)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Oriental Orthodox	Yes	Yes (Chrismation)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Church of the East	Yes	Yes (Chrismation)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Hussite	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Moravian	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Lutheran	Yes	No	Yes	Maybe	No	Maybe	No	No	No
Anglo-Catholicism [17]	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Broad Church Anglicanism	Yes	Maybe [note 1]	Yes	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe	No	No
Center Church Anglicanism	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Evangelical Anglicanism	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Methodism	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Reformed	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Irvingism	Yes	Yes (Holy Sealing)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Latter-Day Saints	Yes (non-trinitarian)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Catholicism

Main article: Sacraments of the Catholic Church

The Council of Trent defined the seven sacraments.

Roman Catholic theology enumerates seven sacraments: ^[18] Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation), Eucharist (Communion), Penance (Reconciliation, Confession), Matrimony (Marriage), Holy Orders (ordination to the diaconate, priesthood, or episcopate) and Anointing of the Sick (before the Second Vatican Council generally called Extreme Unction). The list of seven sacraments already given by the Second Council of Lyon (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) ^[19] was reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which stated:

CANON I. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or that they are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema.

[...]

CANON IV. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification; – though all (the sacraments) are not necessary for every individual; let him be anathema. ^[20]

During the Middle Ages, sacramental records were in Latin. Even after the Reformation, many ecclesiastical leaders continued using this practice into the 20th century. On occasion, Protestant ministers followed the same practice. Since W was not part of the Latin alphabet, scribes only used it when dealing with names or places. In addition, names were modified to fit a "Latin mold". For instance, the name Joseph would be rendered as Iosephus or Josephus. ^[21]

The Catholic Church indicates that the sacraments are necessary for salvation, though not every sacrament is necessary for every individual. The Church applies this teaching even to the sacrament of baptism, the gateway to the other sacraments. It states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament." ^{[22] [23]} But it adds: "God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments," ^[22] and accordingly, "since Christ died for the salvation of all, those can be saved without Baptism who die for the faith ( Baptism of blood ). Catechumens and all those who, even without knowing Christ and the Church, still (under the impulse of grace) sincerely seek God and strive to do his will can also be saved without Baptism (Baptism of desire). The Church in her liturgy entrusts children who die without Baptism to the mercy of God." ^[23]

In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, "the sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions." ^[24]

While the sacraments in the Catholic Church are regarded as means of Divine Grace, The Catholic definition of a sacrament is an event in Christian life that is both spiritual and physical. ^[25] The seven Catholic sacraments have been separated into three groups. The first three Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. The two Healing Sacraments are Anointing of the Sick and Penance. The two Sacraments of Vocation are Matrimony and Holy Orders.

The Church teaches that the effect of the sacraments comes ex opere operato , by the very fact of being administered, regardless of the personal holiness of the minister administering it. ^[26] However, as indicated in this definition of the sacraments given by the Catechism of the Catholic Church , a recipient's own lack of proper disposition to receive the grace conveyed can block a sacrament's effectiveness in that person. The sacraments presuppose faith and, through their words and ritual elements, nourish, strengthen and give expression to faith. ^[27]

Though not every individual has to receive every sacrament, the Church affirms that for believers the sacraments are necessary for salvation. Through each of them, Christ bestows that sacrament's particular healing and transforming grace of the Holy Spirit, making them participants in the divine nature through union with Christ. ^[28]

Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy

See also: Eastern Orthodox Church § Holy mysteries (sacraments), and Sacred mysteries § Eastern Christianity

The Eastern Orthodox tradition does not limit the number of sacraments to seven, holding that anything the Church does as Church is in some sense sacramental. However, it recognizes these seven as "the major sacraments" which are completed by many other blessings and special services. ^{[8] [29]} Some lists of the sacraments taken from the Church Fathers include the consecration of a church, monastic tonsure, and the burial of the dead. ^[30] More specifically, for the Eastern Orthodox the term "sacrament" is a term which seeks to classify something that may, according to Orthodox thought, be impossible to classify. The Orthodox communion's preferred term is "Sacred Mystery", and the Orthodox communion has refrained from attempting to determine absolutely the exact form, number and effect of the sacraments, accepting simply that these elements are unknowable to all except God. 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.

Baptism and Chrismation, the sacraments of initiation, in an Eastern Orthodox church

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 or Synaxis, 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) directly communicate with God. No claim is made to understand how exactly this happens. The Eastern Orthodox merely state: "This appears to be in the form of bread and wine, but God has told me it is His Body and Blood. I will take what He says as a 'mystery' and not attempt to rationalize it to my limited mind". ^[31]

The seven sacraments are also accepted by Oriental Orthodoxy, including the Coptic Orthodox Church, ^{[32] [33]} Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, ^[34] and the Armenian Orthodox Church. ^[35]

Hussite Church and Moravian Church

The Czechoslovak Hussite Church recognizes seven sacraments: baptism, eucharist, penance, confirmation, holy matrimony, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. ^[36]

The Moravian Church administers the sacraments of baptism and eucharist, as well as the rites of confirmation, holy matrimony, and holy orders. ^[37]

Lutheranism

Main article: Lutheran sacraments

The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered. - Augsburg Confession

Lutherans hold that sacraments are sacred acts of divine institution. ^[39] Whenever they are properly administered by the use of the physical component commanded by God ^[40] along with the divine words of institution, ^[41] God is, in a way specific to each sacrament, present with the Word and physical component. ^[42] He earnestly offers to all who receive the sacrament ^[43] forgiveness of sins ^[44] and eternal salvation. ^[45] He also works in the recipients to get them to accept these blessings and to increase the assurance of their possession. ^[46]

Melanchthon's Apology of the Augsburg Confession defines sacraments, according to the German text, as "outward signs and ceremonies that have God's command and have an attached divine promise of graces". His Latin text was shorter: "rites that have the command of God, and to which is added a promise of grace". ^[47] This strict definition narrowed the number of sacraments down to three: Holy Baptism, the Eucharist, and Holy Absolution. ^{[48] [12]} Lutherans do not dogmatically define the exact number of sacraments. ^[49] Luther's initial statement in his Large Catechism speaks of two sacraments, ^[50] Baptism and the Eucharist, in addition to Confession and Absolution, ^[51] "the third sacrament". ^[52] The definition of sacrament in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession lists Absolution as one of them. ^[53] It is important to note that although Lutherans do not consider the other four rites as sacraments, they are still retained and used in the Lutheran church. Luther himself around the time of his marriage and afterwards became one of the greatest champions of Marriage (Holy Matrimony), and the other two (Confirmation and Ordination) were kept in the Lutheran Church for purposes of good order. Within Lutheranism, the sacraments are a Means of Grace, and, together with the Word of God, empower the Church for mission. ^[54]

Anglicanism and Methodism

Main article: Anglican sacraments

Anglican and Methodist sacramental theology reflects its dual roots in the Catholic tradition and the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic heritage is perhaps most strongly asserted in the importance Anglicanism and Methodism places on the sacraments as a means of grace and sanctification, ^[55] while the Reformed tradition has contributed a marked insistence on "lively faith" and "worthy reception". Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians participating in an Anglican/Roman Catholic Joint Preparatory Commission declared that they had "reached substantial agreement on the doctrine of the Eucharist". ^[56] Similarly, Methodist/Roman Catholic Dialogue has affirmed that "Methodists and Catholics affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This reality does not depend on the experience of the communicant, although it is only by faith that we become aware of Christ's presence." ^[57] The Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council jointly understand the word "sacrament" as referring not only to the sacraments considered here, but also to Christ and the Church. ^[58]

Article XXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles in Anglicanism and Article XVI of the Articles of Religion in Methodism ^[59] recognise only two sacraments (Baptism and the Supper of the Lord) since these are the only ones ordained by Christ in the Gospel. The article continues stating that "Those five commonly called Sacraments ... are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel ... but have not the like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained by God." These phrases have led to a debate as to whether the five are to be called sacraments or not. A recent author writes that the Anglican Church gives "sacramental value to the other five recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches" but these "do not reveal those essential aspects of redemption to which Baptism and Communion point". ^[60] Some Anglicans maintain that the use of "commonly" implies that the others can legitimately be called sacraments (perhaps more exactly "Sacraments of the Church" as opposed to "Sacraments of the Gospel"); others object that at the time the Articles were written "commonly" meant "inaccurately" and point out that the Prayer Book refers to the creeds "commonly called the Apostles' Creed" and the "Athanasian" where both attributions are historically incorrect. ^[61]

Anglicans are also divided as to the effects of the sacraments. ^[62] Some hold views similar to the Roman Catholic ex opere operato theory. Article XXVI (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 minister, "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". As in Roman Catholic theology, the worthiness or unworthiness of the recipient is of great importance. ^[63] Article XXV in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism and Article XVI in the Articles of Religion in Methodism states: "And in such only as worthily receive the [sacraments], they have a wholesome effect and operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase for themselves damnation," ^[64] and Article XXVIII in Anglicanism's Thirty-Nine Articles (Article XVIII in Methodism's Articles of Religion) on the Lord's Supper affirms "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ". ^[65] In the Exhortations of the Prayer Book rite, the worthy communicant is bidden to "prepare himself by examination of conscience, repentance and amendment of life and above all to ensure that he is in love and charity with his neighbours" and those who are not "are warned to withdraw". ^[66]

This particular question was fiercely debated in the 19th century arguments over Baptismal Regeneration, culminating in the Gorham Case, wherein the Church of England decided in favor of Baptismal Regeneration, but the secular court overruled them. ^[67]

Reformed (Continental Reformed, Congregationalist, and Presbyterian)

Henry John Dobson's A Scottish Sacrament

John Calvin defined a sacrament as an earthly sign associated with a promise from God. He accepted only two sacraments as valid under the new covenant: baptism and the Lord's Supper. He and all Reformed theologians following him completely rejected the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation and the treatment of the Supper as a sacrifice. He also could not accept the Lutheran doctrine of sacramental union in which Christ was "in, with and under" the elements.

The Westminster Confession of Faith also limits the sacraments to baptism and the Lord's Supper. Sacraments are denoted "signs and seals of the covenant of grace". ^[68] Westminster speaks of "a sacramental relation, or a sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other". ^[69] Baptism is for infant children of believers as well as believers, as it is for all the Reformed except Baptists and some Congregationalists. Baptism admits the baptized into the visible church, and in it all the benefits of Christ are offered to the baptized. ^[68] On the Lord's supper, Westminster takes a position between Lutheran sacramental union and Zwinglian memorialism: "the Lord's supper really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance as the elements themselves are to their outward senses." ^[70]

Irvingism

Irvingian denominations such as the New Apostolic Church teach three sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion and Holy Sealing. ^{[71] [72]}

Latter-day Saints

Main article: Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)

Not to be confused with Sacrament (LDS Church) or Sacrament (Community of Christ).

Members of the Latter-day Saint movement often use the word "ordinance" in the place of the word "sacrament", but the actual theology is sacramental in nature. ^[73] Latter-day Saint ordinances are understood as conferring an invisible form of grace of a saving nature and are required for salvation and exaltation. Latter-day Saints often use the word "sacrament" to refer specifically to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, also known as the Lord's Supper, in which participants eat bread and drink wine (or water, since the late 1800s) as tokens of the flesh and blood of Christ. ^[74] In Latter-day Saint congregations, the sacrament is normally provided every Sunday as part of the sacrament meeting and, like other Latter-day Saint ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, is considered an essential and sacred rite. ^{[75] [73]} Latter-day Saint ordinances which are considered "saving" include baptism, confirmation, sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist), ordination (for males), initiatory (called Chrismation in other Christian traditions), endowment (similar to a monastic initiation involving the taking of vows and reception of priestly clothing), and marriage. ^[76] In the Community of Christ, eight sacraments are recognized, including "baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, the Lord's Supper, ordination, marriage, the Evangelist Blessing, and administration to the sick". ^[77]

Other traditions

The Eucharist is considered a sacrament, ordinance, or equivalent in most Christian denominations.

The enumeration, naming, understanding, and the adoption of the sacraments formally vary according to denomination, although the finer theological distinctions are not always understood and may not even be known to many of the faithful. Many Protestants and other post-Reformation traditions affirm Luther's definition and have only Baptism and Eucharist (or Communion or the Lord's Supper) as sacraments, while others see the ritual as merely symbolic, and still others do not have a sacramental dimension at all.^{[ citation needed ]}

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, Schwarzenau Brethren, German Baptist groups or True Jesus Church, ^[78] and the hearing of the Gospel, as understood by a few Christian groups (such as the Polish National Catholic Church of America ^[79] ), have been considered sacraments by some churches. The Assyrian Church of the East holds the Holy Leaven and the sign of the cross as sacraments. ^[80]

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". 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. In this sense, the believer himself or herself performs the sacerdotal role.^{[ citation needed ]}

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. ^[81] These churches argue that the word ordinance points to the ordaining authority of Christ which lies behind the practice.

Non-sacramental churches

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. ^[82]

The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) also do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be considered holy. Rather, they are focused on an inward transformation of one's whole life. Some Quakers use the words "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe the experience of Christ's presence and his ministry in worship. ^[83]

The Clancularii were an Anabaptist group in the 16th century who reasoned that because religion was seated in the heart, there was no need of any outward expression through the sacraments. ^[84]

Notes

1. Most broad church Anglicans recognize Confession/Absolution, Matrimony, Confirmation, Holy Orders (also called Ordination), and Anointing of the Sick (also called Unction) as "sacramental rites" which are not sacrament but still more important than other rites.

References

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2. The Junior Catechism of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Jennings and Graham. 1905. p. 26. 87. What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an outward sign, appointed by Christ, of an inward grace. (Rom. 4:11.)
3. Lutheran Forum, Volumes 38–39. 2004. p. 46. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace.
4. Lyden, John C.; Mazur, Eric Michael (27 March 2015). The Routledge Companion to Religion and Popular Culture. Routledge. p. 180. ISBN   9781317531067. Augustine defines a sacrament as "an outward sign of an inward grace". Reformed tradition subscribes to this definition (see McKim 2001: 135).
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12. Smith, Preserved (1911). The Life and Letters of Martin Luther. Houghton Mifflin. p.  89. In the first place I deny that the sacraments are seven in number, and assert that there are only three, baptism, penance, and the Lord's Supper, and that all these three have been bound by the Roman Curia in a miserable captivity and that the Church has been deprived of all her freedom.
13. Thirty-Nine Articles, Article XXV
14. Articles of Religion (Methodist), Article XVI
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45. 1 Peter 3:21 , Titus 3:5 , Graebner, Augustus Lawrence (1910). Outlines Of Doctrinal Theology. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. p. 163. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012.
46. Titus 3:5 , John 3:5 , Graebner, Augustus Lawrence (1910). Outlines Of Doctrinal Theology. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. p. 163. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012.
47. Apologia Augustanae Confessionis |quote=die äußerlichen Zeichen und Ceremonien, die da haben Gottes Befehl und haben eine angehefte göttlichen Zusage der Gnaden (p. 367); ritus, qui habent mandatum dei et quibus addita est promissio gratiae
48. Haffner, Paul (1999). The Sacramental Mystery. Gracewing Publishing. p. 11. ISBN   9780852444764. The Augsburg Confession drawn up by Melanchton, one of Luther's disciples admitted only three sacraments, Baptism, Communion, and Penance. Melanchton left the way open for the other five sacred signs to be considered as "secondary sacraments". However, Zwingli, Calvin and most of the later Reformed tradition accepted only Baptism and the Lord's Supper as sacraments, but in a highly symbolic sense.
49. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII, 2: "We believe we have the duty not to neglect any of the rites and ceremonies instituted in Scripture, whatever their number. We do not think it makes much difference if, for purposes of teaching, the enumeration varies, provided what is handed down in Scripture is preserved" (cf. Theodore G. Tappert, trans. and ed., The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1959), 211).
50. Luther's Large Catechism IV, 1: "We have now finished the three chief parts of the common Christian doctrine. Besides these we have yet to speak of our two Sacraments instituted by Christ, of which also every Christian ought to have at least an ordinary, brief instruction, because without them there can be no Christian; although, alas! hitherto no instruction concerning them has been given" (emphasis added; cf. Theodore G. Tappert, trans. and ed., The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1959), 733).
51. John 20:23 Archived 22 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine , and Engelder, T.E.W., Popular Symbolics. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934. pp. 112–3, Part XXVI "The Ministry", paragraph 156.
52. Luther's Large Catechism IV, 74–75: "And here you see that Baptism, both in its power and signification, comprehends also the third Sacrament, which has been called repentance, as it is really nothing else than Baptism" (emphasis added; cf. Theodore G. Tappert, trans. and ed., The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1959), 751).
53. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII, 3, 4: "If we define the sacraments as rites, which have the command of God and to which the promise of grace has been added, it is easy to determine what the sacraments are, properly speaking. For humanly instituted rites are not sacraments, properly speaking, because human beings do not have the authority to promise grace. Therefore signs instituted without the command of God are not sure signs of grace, even though they perhaps serve to teach or admonish the common folk. Therefore, the sacraments are actually baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and absolution (the sacrament of repentance)" (cf. Tappert, 211). Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 13, Of the Number and Use of the Sacraments Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
54. Use and Means of Grace, Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1997, 56
55. Yrigoyen, Charles Jr. (25 September 2014). T&T Clark Companion to Methodism. T&T Clark. p. 259. ISBN   9780567290779. Baptism and eucharist are 'not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession,' (Anglican and Methodist). ... They are that, but they are also 'certain sure witnesses and effectual signs of grace' (Anglican), or 'certain signs of grace and of God's good will toward us' (Methodist) ... Thereby, they not only 'quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith.' ... they are 'means of grace,' a point agreed on in other sources by both Anglicans and Methodists. Sacraments are thus seen as being 'from above' That is, they are divine acts directed toward humanity as a way of ultimately sanctifying us.
56. See Windsor Statement on Eucharistic Doctrine from the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Consultation Archived 17 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine and Elucidation of the ARCIC Windsor Statement Archived 8 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 15 October 2007.
57. "Synthesis, Together to Holiness: 40 Years of Methodist and Roman Catholic Dialogue" (PDF). World Methodist Council. 2010. p. 23. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
58. "The Grace Given You in Christ: Catholics and Methodists Reflect Further on the Church (The Seoul Report), Report of the Joint Commission for Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council". 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2016. The idea of a sacrament is ideally suited to holding together internal and external, visible and spiritual, and both Catholics and Methodists have begun to speak of the Church itself in a sacramental way. Christ himself is "the primary sacrament", and, as the company of those who have been incorporated into Christ and nourished by the life-giving Holy Spirit, "the Church may analogously be thought of in a sacramental way." United Methodists and Catholics both proclaim that the church itself is sacramental, because it effects and signifies the presence of Christ in the world of today.
59. "Join us in Daily Prayer". Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
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See also

• Filakto
• Sacramental bread

External links

• Kennedy, Daniel Joseph (1912). "Sacraments"  . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia . Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• Exploring the Sacraments in Anglican Ministry
• The Sacraments in the Orthodox Church