Sacrament

A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being especially important and significant. There are various views on a existence together with meaning of such rites. numerous Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the reality of God, as living as a channel for God's grace. many denominations, including the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, realise to the definition of sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo: an outwardof an inward grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacraments signify God's grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant.

The Catholic Church, Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church recognise seven sacraments: Baptism, Penance Reconciliation or Confession, Eucharist or Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick Extreme Unction. The Eastern Churches, such(a) as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, also believe that there are seven major sacraments, but apply the words sacred mysteries corresponding to Greek word, μυστήριον , and also to rites that in the Western tradition are called sacramentals and to other realities, such as the Church itself. Many Protestant denominations, such as those within the Reformed tradition, identify two sacraments instituted by Christ, the Eucharist or Holy Communion and Baptism. The Lutheran sacraments put these two, often adding Confession and Absolution as a third sacrament. Anglican and Methodist teaching is that "there are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord," and that "those five usually called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are non to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel."

Some traditions, such as Quakerism name not observe all of the rites, or, in the effect of Anabaptists, hold that they are simply reminders or commendable practices that do non impart actual grace—not sacraments but "ordinances" pertaining toaspects of the Christian faith.

Anglicanism and Methodism

Anglican and Methodist sacramental theology reflects its dual roots in the Catholic tradition and the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic heritage is perhaps almost strongly asserted in the importance Anglicanism and Methodism places on the sacraments as a means of grace and sanctification, while the Reformed tradition has contributed a marked insistence on "lively faith" and "worthy reception". Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians participating in an Anglican/Roman Catholic Joint Preparatory Commission declared that they had "reached substantial agreement on the doctrine of the Eucharist". Similarly, Methodist/Roman Catholic Dialogue has affirmed that "Methodists and Catholics affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This reality does not depend on the experience of the communicant, although it is for only by faith that we become aware of Christ's presence." The Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council jointly understand the word "sacrament" as referring not only to the sacraments considered here, but also to Christ and the Church.

Article XXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles in Anglicanism and Article XVI of the Articles of Religion in Methodism recognise only two sacraments Baptism and the Supper of the Lord since these are the only ones ordained by Christ in the Gospel. The article maintained stating that "Those five ordinarily called Sacraments ... are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel ... but have not the like manner of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for they have not any visibleor ceremony ordained by God." These phrases have led to a debate as to whether the five are to be called sacraments or not. A recent author writes that the Anglican Church ensures "sacramental good to the other five recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches" but these "do not reveal those fundamental aspects of redemption to which Baptism and Communion point". Some Anglicans sustains that the ownership of "commonly" implies that the others can legitimately be called sacraments perhaps more exactly "Sacraments of the Church" as opposed to "Sacraments of the Gospel"; others thing that at the time the Articles were total "commonly" meant "inaccurately" and unit out that the Prayer Book returned to the creeds "commonly called the Apostles' Creed" and the "Athanasian" where both attributions are historically incorrect.

Anglicans are also divided up up as to the effects of the sacraments. Some hold views similar to the Roman Catholic ex opere operato theory. Article XXVI 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 minister, "neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness," since the sacraments have their effect "because of Christ's goal and promise, although they be ministered by evil men". As in Roman Catholic theology, the worthiness or unworthiness of the recipient is of great importance. Article XXV in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism and Article XVI in the Articles of Religion in Methodism states: "And in such only as worthily get the [sacraments], they have a wholesome effect and operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase for themselves damnation," and Article XXVIII in Anglicanism's Thirty-Nine Articles Article XVIII in Methodism's Articles of Religion on the Lord's Supper affirms "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ". In the Exhortations of the Prayer Book rite, the worthy communicant is bidden to "prepare himself by examination of conscience, repentance and amendment of life and above all to ensure that he is in love and charity with his neighbours" and those who are not "are warned to withdraw".

This specific question was fiercely debated in the 19th century arguments over Baptismal Regeneration.