Sacraments/Ordinances

Sacraments

A sacrament is a sacred ritual or rite that channels God’s grace or blessing.
Sacraments are often understood to be outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.
They are seen as means of sanctification and a way to receive God’s grace.
The number of sacraments recognised varies amongst different denominations.

In the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, there are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, ordination, and matrimony.
Baptism is seen as a sacrament of initiation, symbolic of cleansing from sin, and entering the Church.
Confirmation is a sacrament in which a baptised person strengthens their bond with the Church and receives the Holy Spirit.
The Eucharist, also known as Communion or Lord’s Supper, involves consuming bread and wine that symbolise Christ’s body and blood.
Penance, also known as Confession or Reconciliation, involves confessing sins and receiving forgiveness.
The Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites, is a sacrament for the seriously ill or dying to provide comfort and grace.
Ordination is the sacrament in which individuals are consecrated to serve the Church as bishops, priests, or deacons.
Matrimony or Marriage is a sacrament that sanctifies the union between a man and a woman.

Most Protestant denominations recognise only two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist.
Some Protestant traditions refer to these not as sacraments but as ordinances, emphasising that they are commands from Christ rather than means of receiving grace.
Baptists, and other ‘believer’s baptism’ denominations, perform the baptism rite only for those old enough to freely choose and understand it; infant baptism is not practiced.
Communion in Protestant churches may have differing interpretations; some see the bread and wine as symbolic only, whilst others understand a ‘real’ (if mystical) presence of Christ.

The Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) and Salvation Army traditions do not observe any sacraments, viewing them as an unnecessary ritualism that may distract from the direct relationship with God.