Difference between revisions of "Sacrament"
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A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in some Christian churches. | A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in some Christian churches. | ||
| − | The [[Roman Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] ( | + | The [[Roman Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation), the [[Eucharist]], [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession), the [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony).<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3E.HTM ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 1210], The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007</ref> [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches usually recognize only Baptism, and sometimes the Eucharist, as sacraments. The others may be considered religious ceremonies, but not sacraments. |
| − | + | The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' defines the sacraments as "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify"<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c1a1.htm CCC 1084], The Vatican. Accessed 8 May 2016</ref>. At the time of the [[Protestant Reformation]], Protestant churches held that five of the sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic Church failed to meet one or more of those four tests established by the Catholic Church herself. | |
| − | For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have authorized Holy Unction, although the | + | For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have authorized Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. The [[Anglican]] Church's Articles of Religion contend that the Catholic doctrine of [[transubstantiation]] negates the sacramental character of the Sacrament of the Altar (the Eucharist) because if the bread and wine are rendered non-existent, as is claimed, there is no longer any physical component. |
| − | The [[Orthodox Church]] accepts the same set of sacraments as the Catholic Church does, but it declines to number the sacraments. The sacraments of the [[Orthodox Church]] are more fully described in | + | The [[Orthodox Church]] accepts the same set of sacraments as the Catholic Church does, but it declines to number the sacraments. The sacraments of the [[Orthodox Church]] are more fully described in the essay "[[Orthodox Mysteries]]". |
The only significant Christian Churches that observe no sacraments at all, in the usual sense of the word, are the Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army, and Unitarians. Most [[Baptists]], instead of referring to sacraments, refer to the two ordinances, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard those as symbolic acts of obedience.<ref>[http://www.baptistdistinctives.org/articles/baptiststwoordinances.shtml Baptists' Two Ordinances]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii Baptism and the Lord's Supper], from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]</ref> | The only significant Christian Churches that observe no sacraments at all, in the usual sense of the word, are the Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army, and Unitarians. Most [[Baptists]], instead of referring to sacraments, refer to the two ordinances, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard those as symbolic acts of obedience.<ref>[http://www.baptistdistinctives.org/articles/baptiststwoordinances.shtml Baptists' Two Ordinances]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii Baptism and the Lord's Supper], from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]</ref> | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| − | * | + | * [[Sacrament]]s in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] |
** [[Baptism]] | ** [[Baptism]] | ||
| − | ** [[Eucharist]] | + | ** [[Eucharist]] (the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of the Altar, Holy Communion) |
| − | ** [[Confession]] | + | ** [[Confession|Reconciliation and Penance]] (Confession) |
| − | ** [[Confirmation]] | + | ** [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation) |
| − | ** [[Holy Orders | + | ** [[Holy Orders]] |
| − | ** [[Marriage]] | + | ** [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony) |
| − | ** [[Anointing of the Sick]] | + | ** [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites) |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 06:53, May 8, 2016
A sacrament is a special religious rite in some Christian churches.
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation (Confession), the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), Holy Orders and Marriage (Holy Matrimony).[1] Protestant churches usually recognize only Baptism, and sometimes the Eucharist, as sacraments. The others may be considered religious ceremonies, but not sacraments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the sacraments as "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify"[2]. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, Protestant churches held that five of the sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic Church failed to meet one or more of those four tests established by the Catholic Church herself.
For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have authorized Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the New Testament. The Anglican Church's Articles of Religion contend that the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation negates the sacramental character of the Sacrament of the Altar (the Eucharist) because if the bread and wine are rendered non-existent, as is claimed, there is no longer any physical component.
The Orthodox Church accepts the same set of sacraments as the Catholic Church does, but it declines to number the sacraments. The sacraments of the Orthodox Church are more fully described in the essay "Orthodox Mysteries".
The only significant Christian Churches that observe no sacraments at all, in the usual sense of the word, are the Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army, and Unitarians. Most Baptists, instead of referring to sacraments, refer to the two ordinances, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard those as symbolic acts of obedience.[3][4]
Quotes
"A sacrament is a curious thing in that all members of the group fervently believe in its existence while being unable to satisfactorily define it."[5].
Ambrose Bierce said that "Rome has seven sacraments, but the Protestant churches, being less prosperous, feel that they can afford only two, and these of inferior sanctity. Some of the smaller sects have no sacraments at all — for which mean economy they will indubitable be damned."[6]
See Also
- Sacraments in the Catholic Church
- Baptism
- Eucharist (the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of the Altar, Holy Communion)
- Reconciliation and Penance (Confession)
- Confirmation (Chrismation)
- Holy Orders
- Marriage (Holy Matrimony)
- Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction, Last Rites)
References
- ↑ Catechism of the Catholic Church 1210, The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007
- ↑ CCC 1084, The Vatican. Accessed 8 May 2016
- ↑ Baptists' Two Ordinances
- ↑ Baptism and the Lord's Supper, from the Southern Baptist Convention
- ↑ Plato, Euthyphro
- ↑ Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
