ChristianSacrament

sSCTR 19 – Religions of the BookPrepared by Sean Hind

What is a Sacrament?• Definitions:• Latin: sacramentum; Greek: mysterion • Rites/rituals performed in/by the Church, to

convey God’s “grace” to believers

• Number of Sacraments?• Catholics & Orthodox Christians: seven• Most Protestants: only two (Bapt. & Euch.)

• Aspects of each Sacrament:• Effects & Ministers• Biblical Basis• Central Words & Actions

Types of Sacraments• Sacraments of Initiation:• Baptism• Confirmation• Eucharist

• Sacraments of Healing:• Penance/Reconciliation• Anointing of the Sick

• Sacraments of Vocation:• Marriage/Matrimony• Holy Orders

Baptism• Effects:

• Gk. baptizo = “dipped/immersed” in water. • Becoming a member of Christ’s Church.• Having one's sins forgiven.

• Ministers:• Bishops• Priests• Deacons• Anyone!

(in case of urgent need)

Central Words & ActionsBaptism

• Words:• "I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

• Actions:• Full immersion in water,

or pouring water over head• Sprinkling or dabbing?• Infants? or only Adults?• Other symbols: anointing;

candles, white garment

Biblical Basis: Baptism• Jesus’ Commands:• Matt 28:19

• Evangelists’ Theology:• John 3:22; 4:1-2

• Early Church Practice:• Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48• Etc.

Eucharist• Effects:

• Spiritually nourished by body & blood of Christ.• United "in communion" with Christ & community.•Gk. Eucharistia = “thanksgiving” prayer

• Ministers:• Bishops• Priests

• Jesus’ Last Supper:• Mark 14:22-25• Matt 26; Luke 22; 1 Cor 11

• Gospel Theology:• John 6:48-58

• Early Xn Practice:• Luke 24:35• Acts 2:42; etc.

Biblical Basis: Eucharist

• Words:• Long prayer of “Thanksgiving”• Esp. the Words of Institution:

“This is my body…”“This is my blood…”

• Actions:• Bread and wine blessed by minister;

received/shared by communicants.

Central Words & ActionsEucharist

• Effects:• Strengthened by the Holy Spirit.• “Confirmed” in the fullness of Christian faith.

• Ministers:• Bishops• Priests (in some cases)

Confirmation

• Jesus:• John 20:22

• Apostles:• Acts 8:17; 19:6• Acts 10:44-48

Biblical Basis: Confirmation

• Words:• "(Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

• Actions:• Bishop lays his hands on the head of the confirmed

Central Words & Actions

Confirmation

• Effects:• Forgiven of one's sins• Reconciled to God• Reconciled to others

• Ministers:• Bishops• Priests

Penance/Reconciliation

• Jesus: Forgive!• John 20:23• Matt 16:19; 18:18

• James: Confess!• James 5:16

Biblical BasisPenance/Reconciliation

• Words:• "I forgive you of all of your sins, in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

• Actions:• confesses his sins• expresses contrition• proposes amendment

Central Words & Actions

Penance/Reconciliation

• Effects:• Being strengthened in time of illness.• United in prayer with the community.• Physically/psychologically healed?

• Ministers:• Bishops• Priests

Anointing of the Sick

• Disciples anoint the sick:• Mark 6:7-13

• Call elders to pray/anoint:• James 5:14-16

Biblical BasisAnointing of the Sick

• Words:• "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love

and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."

• Actions:• Anointing sick person’s forehead &hands with blessed oil

Central Words & Actions

Anointing of the Sick

• Effects:• United in eyes of God & church.• Legally recognized as a couple.

• Ministers:• The couple themselves!• Clergy are merely witnesses!

Matrimony/Marriage

• God creates M & F:• Gen 2:24

• Jesus vs. Divorce:• Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9

• Paul on spousal unity:• Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16

Biblical BasisMatrimony/Marriage

• Words:• "I, (name), take you, (name), to be my

husband/wife. I promise to be true to you…”

• Actions:• Husband & wife publicly

promise fidelity & love.• Optional: exchange of rings,

lighting of candles, etc.

Central Words & ActionsMatrimony/Marriage

• Effects:• Becoming "ordained" clergy, in leadership “orders”:

• Bishops• Priests• Deacons

• Ministers:• only Bishops

Holy Orders

• Jesus chooses Apostles:• Mark 3:13-19; etc.

• Laying on of Hands:• Acts 6:6• 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22• 2 Tim 1:6

Biblical BasisHoly Orders

• Words:• "Prayer of Consecration”

• Actions:• Laying hands on ordinand’s head • Anointing hands with holy oil• Several other symbolic gestures

Central Words & Actions

Holy Orders

Summary• Seven Sacraments (Cath.):• Baptism• Eucharist• Confirmation• Penance/Reconciliation• Anointing of the Sick• Matrimony/Marriage• Holy Orders

• Two Sacraments (Prot.):• Baptism• Eucharist