administrator, Bureaucrats, bureaucrats, editor, emailconfirmed, Administrators
11,540
edits
Changes
Category:Christian doctrine and debates
A sacrament is a Christian practice that signifies or effectuates the [[grace]] of [[God]]. These practices are generally understood to have been instituted (or commanded) by Jesus Christ. In some churches the term is referred to as an ordinance. In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Lutheranism]] and some forms of [[Anglicanism]] it is taught that sacraments are not only symbolic but also a means by which God communicates his grace. Most other [[Protestant]] churches hold that sacraments are purely symbolic signs of an inward change.
The [[Latin]] word ''sacramentum'' (holy sign) was used in secular [[Latin]] for military oaths of allegiance. Its religious use was introduced by [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]. In [[Jerome]]'s [[Latin ]] translation of the Bible, the [[Vulgata]], Jerome translated the Greek word [[mysterion]] as [[sacramentum]] in some cases, and as [[mysterium]] in other cases.
In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches it is taught that there are seven sacraments. These sacraments are
* [[Baptism]]
* [[Confirmation]]
* [[Confession]]
* [[Eucharist]]
* [[Matrimony]]
* [[Ordination]]
* [[Anointing of the sick]]
In Eastern Orthodoxy baptism and confirmation are administered together.
In most Protestant churches, including the Lutheran, Anglican and Baptist churches, it is taught that there are two sacraments. These are
* [[Baptism]]
* [[Holy Communion]] (also called the Lord's supper or the Eucharist)
Additionally, in Anglicanism, the other five five sacraments of the Catholic and Orthodox traditions are mentioned in the [[39 Articles]], although they are not counted as "Sacraments of the Gospel".
* [[Baptism]]
* The [[Lord's supper]]* Foot-washing ==Quotes== ==Links==* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrament Wikipedia - Sacrament] {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian doctrine and debates]] -> [[Theology]][[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]