Sacrament facts for kids
A sacrament is a special religious ceremony or ritual in Christian faith. Many Christians believe these ceremonies are important ways to connect with God and receive His grace, which is like His loving help and blessing. They see sacraments as visible signs that show an invisible spiritual truth.
Many Christian groups, like the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches, agree with a definition from an ancient writer named Augustine of Hippo. He said a sacrament is an "outward sign of an inward grace" that was started by Jesus Christ. This means it's a physical action or symbol that represents a spiritual gift from God.
The Catholic Church, along with the Hussite Church and Old Catholic Church, recognizes seven main sacraments:
- Baptism (being welcomed into the Church)
- Penance (also called Reconciliation or Confession, for forgiveness)
- Eucharist (or Holy Communion, sharing bread and wine)
- Confirmation (strengthening one's faith)
- Marriage (Matrimony, a sacred union)
- Holy Orders (becoming a priest, deacon, or bishop)
- Anointing of the Sick (prayers and anointing for healing)
The Eastern Churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church, also recognize these seven as major "sacred mysteries." They use the Greek word mysterion, which means "mystery," because they believe these actions connect them to God in ways that are not fully understood.
Many Protestant groups, such as those in the Reformed tradition, usually focus on two sacraments that Jesus himself started: the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and Baptism. Lutherans also include these two, and often add Confession as a third sacrament. Anglicans and Methodists teach that there are two main sacraments from the Gospel: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They see the other five (Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick) as important rites but not sacraments in the same way.
Some Christian traditions, like the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends), do not practice any formal sacraments. They believe that all of life can be a way to experience God's grace. Other groups, like the Plymouth Brethren, see these rituals as reminders or good practices, but not as ways to receive actual grace from God. They call them "ordinances" instead of sacraments.
Contents
- What Does "Sacrament" Mean?
- How Different Churches See Sacraments
- Sacraments in the Catholic Church
- Sacred Mysteries in Eastern Orthodoxy
- Sacraments in Hussite and Moravian Churches
- Sacraments in Lutheranism
- Sacraments in Anglicanism and Methodism
- Sacraments in Reformed Churches
- Sacraments in Baptist Churches
- Sacraments in Irvingism
- Ordinances in Latter-day Saints
- Other Christian Traditions and Sacraments
- See also
What Does "Sacrament" Mean?
The English word sacrament comes from the Latin word sacramentum. In Ancient Rome, this term meant a soldier's promise or oath of loyalty. An early Christian writer named Tertullian in the 3rd century suggested that just as a soldier's oath marked the start of a new life, so did joining the Christian community through baptism and the Eucharist. It's about making a sacred promise and starting a new spiritual journey.
How Different Churches See Sacraments
Here's a quick look at how various Christian groups view the main sacraments:
| Denomination | Baptism | Confirmation | Holy Communion | Penance | Marriage | Holy orders | Anointing of the sick | Holy Leaven | Sign of the cross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic |  Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
 No |
No |
| Eastern Orthodox | Yes |
Yes (Chrismation) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Oriental Orthodox | Yes |
Yes (Chrismation) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Church of the East | Yes |
Yes (Chrismation) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Hussite | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Moravian | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Lutheran | Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Maybe | No |
No |
No |
| Anglo-Catholicism | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Broad Church Anglicanism | Yes |
Maybe | Yes |
Maybe | Maybe | Maybe | Maybe | No |
No |
| Center Church Anglicanism | Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Evangelical Anglicanism | Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Methodism | Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Reformed | Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Baptists | Yes |
Maybe | Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Irvingism | Yes |
Yes (Holy Sealing) |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Latter-Day Saints | Yes (non-trinitarian) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Sacraments in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church teaches that there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (Holy Communion), Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. These seven sacraments were confirmed by important Church councils, like the Council of Trent in the 1500s. The Council stated that these seven are truly and properly sacraments.
The Church believes that sacraments are very important for salvation, which means reaching heaven. However, not every sacrament is needed by every person. For example, Baptism is usually necessary for those who know about it and can ask for it. But the Church also teaches that God's mercy is wider than the sacraments. People can be saved even without formal Baptism if they die for their faith (called "Baptism of blood") or if they sincerely seek God and try to do His will, even without knowing Christ (called "Baptism of desire"). The Church also trusts children who die without Baptism to God's mercy.
Catholic teaching says that sacraments are "effective signs of grace." This means they truly give God's grace to people. The visible actions and words of the sacraments show and bring about the special graces that each sacrament offers. These graces help people grow in faith and live a divine life.
The seven Catholic sacraments are often grouped into three types:
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. These welcome people into the Church and strengthen their faith.
- Sacraments of Healing: Anointing of the Sick and Penance. These offer spiritual and sometimes physical healing.
- Sacraments of Vocation: Matrimony and Holy Orders. These are about special callings in life, like marriage or serving as a priest.
The Church teaches that sacraments work "ex opere operato," which means "by the very fact of being administered." Their power comes from Christ, not from the personal goodness of the priest who performs them. However, a person needs to be ready in their heart to receive the grace the sacrament offers. Sacraments help to nourish, strengthen, and express faith.
Sacred Mysteries in Eastern Orthodoxy
In Eastern Orthodox churches, sacraments are often called "Sacred Mysteries." They believe that anything the Church does as a community can be seen as a mystery that connects them to God. They don't limit the number of mysteries to exactly seven. However, they do recognize seven "principal" or main mysteries, similar to the Catholic Church.
For Orthodox Christians, the term "mystery" shows that these actions connect them to God in ways that are beyond human understanding. They believe that God's presence in these mysteries is real, even if they can't fully explain how it works. The most important mystery is the Eucharist (also called Synaxis), where people share consecrated bread and wine, believing it becomes the body and blood of Christ. They don't try to fully explain how this happens, simply accepting it as a divine mystery.
Oriental Orthodox Churches, like the Coptic Orthodox Church and Armenian Orthodox Church, also accept these seven main sacraments or mysteries.
Sacraments in Hussite and Moravian Churches
The Czechoslovak Hussite Church recognizes seven sacraments: baptism, eucharist, penance, confirmation, holy matrimony, holy orders, and anointing of the sick.
The Moravian Church practices the sacraments of baptism and eucharist. They also observe the rites of confirmation, holy matrimony, and holy orders.
Sacraments in Lutheranism
Lutherans believe that sacraments are holy acts started by God. When they are performed correctly, using the physical elements God commanded (like water in Baptism or bread and wine in the Eucharist) along with His divine words, God is truly present. He offers forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation to all who receive the sacrament. He also helps people accept these blessings and feel sure they have them.
Early Lutheran teachings defined sacraments as "outward signs and ceremonies that have God's command and a divine promise of grace." Based on this, Lutherans usually recognize two sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Eucharist. They often also include Holy Absolution (forgiveness of sins) as a third sacrament.
While Lutherans focus on these two or three, they still use other important rites like Confirmation, Marriage (Holy Matrimony), and Ordination (for ministers). These are kept for good order and tradition, even if not called sacraments in the same way. For Lutherans, sacraments are a "Means of Grace," meaning they are ways God gives His grace, and they help the Church in its mission.
Sacraments in Anglicanism and Methodism
Anglican and Methodist churches have beliefs about sacraments that combine ideas from both Catholic and Protestant traditions. They emphasize the sacraments as ways to receive God's grace and grow in holiness. They also stress the importance of having "lively faith" and being "worthy" when receiving them.
Both Anglicans and Methodists recognize two main sacraments that Jesus himself commanded in the Bible: Baptism and the Eucharist (called the Supper of the Lord). They believe these two are special because they have a clear visible sign and ceremony ordered by God.
They also acknowledge five other important rites: Confirmation, Penance, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. These are often called "commonly called Sacraments." There's some discussion about whether these five should be called sacraments or not. Some Anglicans believe they have "sacramental value" but are different from Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Anglicans and Methodists also discuss how sacraments work. They believe that the sacraments are effective because of Christ's intention and promise, even if the minister performing them isn't perfect. However, it's very important for the person receiving the sacrament to be worthy and have faith. If someone receives a sacrament without faith or with an unprepared heart, they might not receive its full benefits.
Sacraments in Reformed Churches
John Calvin, an important leader in the Reformed tradition, described a sacrament as an earthly sign connected to a promise from God. Reformed churches, including Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist groups, accept only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
They do not agree with the Catholic teaching that the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper physically change into Christ's body and blood. Instead, they believe that Christ is truly present in a spiritual way during the Lord's Supper, and believers receive Him by faith.
The Westminster Confession of Faith, a key document for many Reformed churches, calls sacraments "signs and seals of the covenant of grace." This means they are symbols and promises of God's loving agreement with His people. Baptism is given to both adult believers and their infant children, welcoming them into the visible Church. In the Lord's Supper, believers spiritually receive Christ and the benefits of His death.
Sacraments in Baptist Churches
In the Baptist tradition, both the terms "sacrament" and "ordinance" are used when talking about Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Sacraments in Irvingism
Irvingian churches, like the New Apostolic Church, teach three sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, and Holy Sealing.
Ordinances in Latter-day Saints
Members of the Latter-day Saint movement often use the word "ordinance" instead of "sacrament." However, their beliefs about these rituals are similar to how other Christians view sacraments. Latter-day Saint ordinances are seen as giving a special kind of grace that is needed for salvation and exaltation (a higher state in heaven).
Latter-day Saints often use the word "sacrament" specifically for the Lord's Supper. In this ceremony, participants eat bread and drink water (or wine in earlier times) as symbols of Christ's body and blood. This sacrament is usually offered every Sunday and is considered a very important and sacred rite.
Latter-day Saint ordinances that are considered "saving" include baptism, confirmation, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, ordination (for males), initiatory (similar to Chrismation), endowment (involving vows and special clothing), and marriage. The Community of Christ, another group in the Latter-day Saint movement, recognizes eight sacraments, including baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, the Lord's Supper, ordination, marriage, the Evangelist Blessing, and administration to the sick.
Other Christian Traditions and Sacraments
The number, names, and understanding of sacraments can vary a lot among different Christian groups. Many Protestants and other post-Reformation traditions follow Luther's idea of having only Baptism and Eucharist (or Communion or the Lord's Supper) as sacraments. Other groups see these rituals as simply symbolic, while some do not have any formal sacraments at all.
Besides the traditional seven sacraments, some Christian traditions consider other rituals as sacraments. For example, foot washing is seen as a sacrament by some Anabaptist and True Jesus Church groups. The Assyrian Church of the East considers the Holy Leaven and the sign of the cross as sacraments.
Some Christian groups avoid the term "sacrament" and prefer "ordinance" or "tradition." This is because they don't see clergy as having a special priestly role in the same way some other churches do. They believe the power of the "ordinance" comes from the believer's obedience and participation, and the witness of the minister and the community. This idea is linked to the concept of the "priesthood of all believers," where every believer has a direct connection to God.
Groups like the Plymouth Brethren and Pentecostals use "ordinance" instead of "sacrament." They feel that "sacrament" might suggest ideas about priests that they don't agree with. They believe "ordinance" better highlights that these practices were commanded by Christ.
Churches Without Sacraments
Some Christian groups do not have any formal sacraments or similar rituals. The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments. They believe it's more important to focus on the spiritual meaning behind the symbols. However, they don't stop their members from receiving sacraments in other churches.
The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) also do not practice formal sacraments. They believe that all of life can be a way to experience God's grace. Quakers emphasize an inner spiritual change in one's whole life. Some Quakers use words like "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe experiencing Christ's presence during worship.
The Clancularii were an Anabaptist group in the 16th century. They believed that because religion is a matter of the heart, there was no need for any outward religious ceremonies like sacraments.
See also
In Spanish: Sacramento para niños
- Filakto
- Sacramental bread
