Christianity: Sacraments

Question 1

What is a sacrament?

Answer 1

A ritual initiated by Jesus through which the grace of God can be received.

Question 2

What are the 7 Sacraments observed by the Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 2

Initiation sacraments:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
Service sacraments:
- Holy Orders
- Marriage
Healing sacraments:
- Confession
- Anointing of the sick

Question 3

How many sacraments do different denominations have?

Answer 3

• Roman Catholic: 7

- Some Protestant (e.g. Lutheran): 2 - Baptism and Eucharist

Question 4

What is the role of baptism?

Answer 4

• Symbolises a person’s admission into the Christian Church
• Obeying Jesus’s command:
  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
  Roman Catholic:
• Necessary for salvation, to wash away original sin
• Infant baptism was introduced due to high infant mortality rates, as Catholics believe that to go to Heaven, you have to repent. To repent, you have to sin. Babies can’t sin so technically they can’t go to Heaven. This is why they need to be baptised.
  Orthodox:
• Baptised as soon as possible
  Protestant:
• Some (e.g. Baptist Church) do not believe in child baptism. Only adults can be baptised, as they can choose whether they want to be Christian.

Question 5

What is the role of Eucharist?

Answer 5

• Sharing bread and wine in memory of Jesus’s crucifixion
• Reminds Christians of the sacrifice of Jesus and the salvation they have received
• Obeying Jesus’s command:
  “Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)
  Roman Catholic:
• Transubstantiation
• Christ has a ‘real presence’ during mass
• Eucharist (Holy Communion) completes Christian initiation
  Church of England:
• Some believe in transubstantiation
• Some believe in consubstatiation