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In Christian belief and practice, a sacrament is a rite, instituted by Christ, that mediates grace, constituting a sacred mystery. The root meaning of the Latin word sacramentum is to "make sacred". Views concerning both what rites are sacramental, and what it means for an act to be sacramental vary among Christian denominations and traditions.

The most conventional functional definition of a sacrament is that it is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ. The two most widely accepted sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist; the majority of Christians recognize seven Sacraments or Divine Mysteries : Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation in the Orthodox tradition), and the Eucharist, Holy Orders, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony. 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. Other denominations and traditions typically affirm only Baptism and Eucharist as sacraments.

Varying definitions

The churches of the Catholic tradition, as well as some among the Methodist, Lutheran, and Anglican confessions, hold that sacraments are not mere symbols, but rather that they effect that which they signify, that is, the sacraments in and of themselves, rightly administered, are used by God as a means to communicate grace to faithful recipients, and for recipients to communicate praise and thanksgiving to God. As a communicative device, they thus constitute a specific form of prayer.

Some post-Reformation (a.k.a. Protestant) denominations do not maintain a sacramental theology, although they may practice the rites themselves. 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. Protestant denominations, both sacramental and non-sacramental, almost invariably affirm only these two as sacraments, traditions, or ordinances; although they may also practice anointing of the sick, ordination, marriage, etc.

Clearly, 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. They are usually administered by the clergy to a recipient or recipients, and are generally understood to involve visible and invisible components. 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).

Catholic views

Enumeration

Main article: Sacraments of the Catholic Church

The following are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church:

• Baptism (Christening)
• Holy Eucharist (or Holy Communion)
• Penance (Confession)
• Confirmation (Chrismation)
• Matrimony
• Holy Orders
• Anointing of the Sick (known prior to Vatican II as Extreme Unction [or more literally from Latin: Last Anointing]; informally, the "Last Rites")

As mentioned above, churches of the Catholic tradition hold to the sacramental nature of all seven of these. For Roman Catholics, this assertion is entirely uncomplicated by reservations or diverse perspectives. Various churches of the Catholic tradition also have sacramentals, acts of worship that differ from sacraments proper, but which are also means of grace. Items such as the rosary or the various scapulars and holy medals issued by some groups are counted among these sacramentals.

St. Thomas Aquinas

For the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Sacraments, go to Aquinas and the Sacraments

Eastern and Oriental Orthodox views

Main article: Sacred Mysteries

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. To be more accurate, 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. 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 view

Main article: Anglican sacraments

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. 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.

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). Anglo-Catholics have always counted the sacraments at seven. 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.

In the Anglican tradition, the sacerdotal function is assigned to clergy in the three orders of ministry: bishops, priests and deacons. 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. 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."

Lutheran view

Martin Luther defined a sacrament as:

1. instituted by God;
2. in which God Himself has joined His Word of promise to the visible element;
3. and by which He offers, gives and seals the forgiveness of sin earned by Christ (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, St. 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. This definition, and the resulting elimination, has historically been held by Lutheranism.

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).

Views from other Christian Traditions

The numeration, naming, understanding, and the adoption of the sacraments vary according to denomination. 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. In most Christian Baptist churches, baptism is practiced only to tell others that they have been saved and do not believe baptism to have anything to do with gaining salvation.

In addition to the seven sacraments that have, more or less, been common contenders, other rituals have been considered and are in use in some Christian traditions. In particular, foot washing (see Gospel of John 13:14), 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 argued for inclusion as sacraments.

Among many post-Reformation traditions, the word mediates or conveys would mean only that it is a visible symbol or reminder of invisible grace. Since most 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 the individual believer. In this sense, the believer him or herself performs the sacerdotal role.

Baptists and Pentecostals, among other Christian denominations, choose to use the word ordinance, rather than sacrament because of certain sacerdotal ideas that the word sacrament has gathered to itself.^[1] These Churches argue that the word ordinance points to the ordaining authority of Christ which lies behind the practice.^[2]

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 our covenant with God in response to God’s grace.^[3] 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.^[4]

The Latter Day Saint movement (also know as Mormonism), the Sacrament is the Lord's Supper, in which participants eat bread and drink wine (or water, in the case of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the late 1800s). It is essentially the same as the Eucharist, Communion in some other Christian denominations. Normally in Mormon congregations, the Sacrament is provided every Sunday as part of the Sacrament meeting. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the word ordinance is used approximately as the word Sacrament is used in Christianity in general.

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^[5]

The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) 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. The Quakers use the words "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe the experience of Christ's presence and his ministry in worship.^[6]

(The Christian Reformed Church) 1. Visible Sign 2. Resemblance 3. Ordained by Christ 4. Must be a "real sign" 5. Words of institution 6. Administered by the Ordained

External links

• Baptism, Eucharist, & Ministry (an ecumenical statement by the World Council of Churches)
• The Sacraments as Means of Grace from Grace upon Grace: Sacramental Theology in the Christian Life. By Gregory S. Neal

References