The Sacraments

• The Seven Sacraments (of the Catholic Church)

  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • Reconciliation
  • Anointing the sick
  • Matrimony
  • Holy orders
  • Eucharist
• Which two sacraments do Protestants recognise?

  • Baptism
  • Eucharist
• Quakers and the Salvation Army don't follow any sacraments because...?


  They believe they are an inward spiritual experience with no need for rituals/external services
• Sacraments

  An outward sign of an inward and invisible blessing by God
• Catholics usually practice infant baptism because of original sin + believe unbaptised children can't go to heaven
• Jesus was baptised as an adult by John the Baptist in the River Jordan
• Quote for Baptism: (Matthew 19, The Fall - Genesis 3)

  'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father the Son, and the Holy Spirit'
• Quote for Baptism (John 3:3)

  'Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again" '
• Many Protestants have adult baptism (believer's baptism) as they don't believe in original sin, and copy Jesus' adult baptism
• Protestants see baptism as a personal proclamation of faith
• Baptism


  Christian rite of sprinkling water onto a baby's forehead or immersing an adult in water (symbolising purification) to admit them into the Church
• Confirmation


  A Christian (often a teenager) renews the vows made on their behalf at baptism as a baby to 'confirm' their faith
• Reconciliation

  Confession of a sin to a priest to obtain forgiveness from God
• Anointing the sick


  A priest/bishop anoints a seriously ill person with oil + Catholics believe the Holy Spirit renews the person's faith + strength to accept their suffering
• Matrimony

  Marriage ceremony - union of two people by God (life commitment)
• Holy orders

  Process by which men are ordained as deacons/priests/bishops (a life commitment)
• Eucharist commemorates 'The Last Supper' where Jesus fed his disciples his blood + body in the form of wine and bread
• Eucharist is also known as...

  Holy communion, Mass
• Quote for The Last Supper/Eucharist: (Matthew 26:26-29)

  'Jesus took bread, saying "Take this and eat, it is my body." Then he took a cup of wine and said "Drink from it, all of you, this is my blood of the covenant (which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins)" '
• Eucharist is performed weekly in Church
• Catholics believe bread + wine literally becomes the body + blood of Christ, this is called...?

  Transubstantiation
• (Some) Protestants believe Christ is only spiritually present within the bread + wine in Eucharist instead of literally, it is...


  Symbolic / a metaphor