Sacraments

• What is a sacrament?

  sacred rituals through which Christians believe they receive God’s grace. They are outward signs that symbolize a deeper, inward spiritual grace or blessing from God.
• The 7 sacraments Catholics believe in?

  • Baptism
  • Eucharist (Holy Communion)
  • Confirmation
  • Reconciliation (Confession or Penance)
  • Anointing of the Sick
  • Marriage
  • Holy Orders
• What sacraments do Protestants believe in?

  • Baptism
  • Eucharist
• What is baptism?

  Initiation into the Christian faith. It symbolizes the washing away of sin and rebirth into a new life with Christ. This sacrament is supported by the book of Matthew "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them"
• What are the forms of baptism?

  • Infant- For Catholics and Orthodox, water is poured 3 times on the head to symbolize the trinity purifying their life. A candle is also lit to show the light of Jesus has come into them
  • Adult- For Baptists and Pentecostal churches, only adults/older children who can declare their faith are baptized
• What is the Eucharist?

  Commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples as symbols of his body and blood. Only baptised people can take this and it is still a tradition because he says Luke 22 "Do this in remembrance of me"
• What are the divergent beliefs about Eucharist?

  • Catholic and Orthodox : They believe in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ.
  • Protestant/Anglican: Many Protestants see the Eucharist as symbolic, meaning that it represents Jesus’ body and blood but doesn’t physically change.
• What is confirmation?

  baptized person confirms their faith and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit as it marks the individual’s full membership in the church. Basically adult baptism
• What is reconciliation?

  aka penance, involves confessing sins to a priest as he represents God on earth and receives forgiveness. In order to do reconciliation you have to be truly sorry and be ready to receive the power of the holy spirit
• What is anointing the sick?

  A priest anoints an ill person and heals them when they confess/ a person nearing death would be granted everlasting life in heaven with holy oil
• What is marriage?

  sanctifies the union between a man and a woman, making it a holy covenant. Therefore represents the union of Christ and the Church, as well as love, commitment, and the creation of family.
• What are holy orders?

  Ordains men to the roles of deacon, priest, or bishop. It is a commitment to serve the Church and its community. This is done because Catholics believe priests descended from Jesus' disciples and therefore have the ability to administer sacraments
• Why are Sacraments are Important in Christianity?

  • Spiritual Growth: They provide ways for Christians to grow closer to God, receive forgiveness, and gain spiritual strength.
  • Community and Belonging: Sacraments often involve the church community, emphasizing unity and shared faith.
  • Remembrance of Christ’s Sacrifice: Sacraments like the Eucharist directly recall Jesus’ sacrifice, helping Christians remember and honor his life and teachings.