3.2 Sacraments

Question 1

Define Sacraments

Answer 1

Sacraments are important Christian ceremonies that have been officially recognized as having been established (‘ordained’) by Jesus.

Question 2

Each sacrament has a physical and a spiritual side, describe the physical side?

Answer 2

The physical side refers to things that can be experienced with the five senses (such as tasting the bread and wine during the Eucharist).

Question 3

Each sacrament has a physical and a spiritual side, describe the spiritual side?

Answer 3

The spiritual side refers to the spiritual blessing that a person receives from the sacrament.

Question 4

A synopsis of Baptism?

Answer 4

When a person formally becomes a

member of the Church

Question 5

SOW- Baptism

Answer 5

After Jesus was resurrected, he commanded his disciples to baptise ‘all nations’ (Matthew 28:19 [NIVN).

Question 6

Which churches celebrate infant baptisms?

Answer 6

Infant baptism is the most common form today. It is celebrated by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches.

Question 7

Which churches celebrate adult baptisms?

Answer 7

Baptist and Pentecostal Churches baptise people when they are old enough to understand the ceremony and choose it for themselves.

Question 8

Describe the actions of the baptism and why they happen?

Answer 8

A priest pours water three times over the child’s head- this shows that the Trinity has entered their life and their sins have been washed away.

The child’s parents and godparents publicly declare their beliefs. They hold a lighted candle- the candle shows that they
and the child have passed from the darkness of sin into the light of Jesus- In the Catholic Church, the candle is lit from the Paschal candle to show faith in the resurrection of Jesus.

The child is welcomed into the
Church

Question 9

A synopsis of confirmation?

Answer 9

When a person chooses to confirm they are a member of the Church

They restate the promises that were made on their behalf at the baptism

Question 10

A synopsis of the Eucharist?

Answer 10

Recalls the Last Supper. This was the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples, during which he spoke of the bread and wine as being his body and blood

Question 11

What are the different names for the Eucharist?

Answer 11

It is called different things by different denominations, such as ‘Mass’ by the Catholic Church and ‘Holy Communion’ by the Anglican Church.

Question 12

What do Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe about the Eucharist?

Answer 12

Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ This means Jesus is fully present in the bread and wine

Question 13

What do Anglican Christians believe about the Eucharist?

Answer 13

Other Christians, including Anglicans, believe the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus body and blood. These symbols help believers to remember Jesus death and sacrifice

Question 14

How often is the Eucharist celebrated?

Answer 14

How often Christians attend the Eucharist also varies Catholics usually attend at least once a week; Protestants may attend less often such as once every few weeks

Question 15

Describe the actions of the Eucharist and why they happen?

Answer 15

In the Catholic and Anglican Churches:

• The priest prays for God’s special blessing on the bread and wine.
• Each person is given a small piece of bread or a wafer, and a sip from a cup of wine.
• Only those who are baptised or confirmed are allowed to receive the bread and wine.
• In the Orthodox Church, Christians receive bread soaked in wine

In the Orthodox Church, Christians receive bread soaked in wine

Question 16

A synopsis of marriage/matrimony?

Answer 16

The legal union of a man and a woman, who promise before God that they will love and respect each other until they are parted by death.

Question 17

A synopsis of holy orders/ordination?

Answer 17

When a person becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop

Question 18

A synopsis of reconciliation?

Answer 18

When a person confesses their sins to a priest and these are forgiven by God

Question 19

A synopsis of Anointing the sick?

Answer 19

When a person who is very ill is anointed with holy oil.

The sick person confesses their sins and prays with the priest.

Question 20

How do the Church of England view sacraments?

Answer 20

Sacraments are symbols of God’s love.

E.g. baptism symbolises the forgiveness of sins.

Question 21

How do the Catholic Church view sacraments?

Answer 21

Sacraments are ‘effective signs’ They bring about the thing they symbolize, ie. they have an actual effect on a person.

Eg. baptism does not just symbolize the
washing away of sin, it actually washes away sin.

Question 22

What sacraments do the Church of England accept?

Answer 22

The Church of England: two (baptism and the Eucharist)

Question 23

What sacraments do Catholic and Orthodox Churches accept?

Answer 23

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches: seven (baptism, the Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, taking holy orders, reconciliation, anointing the sick)

Question 24

What sacraments do Salvation Army and Quakers accept?

Answer 24

The Salvation Army and the Quakers: none

Question 25

What do the 39 articles of faith outline?

Answer 25

The 39 Articles of Religion outline the
core beliefs of the Church of England

They cover important aspects of the
faith, such as heaven and hell, the
Trinity, and salvation.

Question 26

When were the 39 Articles of Faith accepted?

Answer 26

The articles were agreed in 1562.

Question 27

What were the purpose of the 39 articles for priests?

Answer 27

Today, priests in the Church of
England must accept the 39 Articles
before their ordination.

Question 28

What does article 25 specify?

Answer 28

Article 25 states that the Church of England will only recognize two sacraments as being ordained of Christ
our Lord in the Gospel’: baptism and the
Eucharist.