The sacraments are religious rites through which Christians express their faith, participate in worship, and acknowledge the work of God in their lives. Christian denominations differ concerning the number of sacraments, their spiritual significance, and how they should be administered. Nevertheless, many of the practices associated with them are recognized throughout Christianity.
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, and other Christian traditions have developed different teachings concerning these practices. Some understand the sacraments as means through which God communicates grace. Others emphasize their significance as expressions of faith, obedience, and participation in the Christian community.
Despite these differences, Christians share important responsibilities concerning baptism, communion, spiritual growth, repentance, care for the sick, ministry, and marriage.
How Many Sacraments Are There?
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance or Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1113–1131), these sacraments were instituted by Christ and are effective signs of grace through which God acts in the lives of believers.
Eastern Orthodox Christians also commonly recognize seven principal sacraments, which they call mysteries. Orthodox teaching emphasizes God’s work through these practices and their relationship to the spiritual life of the Church. However, Orthodox theology does not universally restrict the Church’s sacramental life to a fixed number of seven.
Most Protestant denominations recognize Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the two sacraments instituted by Christ for the Church.
Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist traditions generally recognize these two as sacraments, although they differ concerning their spiritual effects. Baptist and many evangelical churches commonly use the term ordinances to emphasize obedience to Christ’s commands.
Other practices, such as Confirmation, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination, and Marriage, remain important in Protestant Christianity, even when they are not classified as sacraments.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper occupy a distinctive place in Christianity because Jesus Christ explicitly instructed His disciples concerning both practices.
Following His resurrection, Jesus commanded:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 NASB)
Christ also instituted the Lord’s Supper and instructed His disciples:
Do this in remembrance of Me. (Luke 22:19 NASB)
Christian denominations differ concerning whether Baptism should be administered to infants or professing believers, whether it communicates regenerating grace, and whether immersion, pouring, or sprinkling should be used.
They also differ concerning the Lord’s Supper. Catholics teach transubstantiation, Eastern Orthodox Christians affirm Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist, Lutherans teach sacramental union, Reformed Christians emphasize spiritual participation in Christ, and many Baptists understand Communion primarily as a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice.
These differences concern the meaning and administration of the practices rather than whether Christians should observe them.
Other Sacramental Practices
The remaining five subjects concern responsibilities and activities that Christians recognize in different forms.
Confirmation concerns the strengthening of believers in the Christian faith. Catholic and Orthodox Christians recognize it as a sacrament, while many Protestant denominations practice public professions of faith or provide religious instruction without recognizing a separate sacrament.
Confession concerns acknowledging sins, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. Catholic and Orthodox Christians practice sacramental confession, while many Protestant denominations emphasize confession directly to God, mutual confession, and congregational prayers of repentance.
Anointing of the Sick concerns prayer, healing, and care for those experiencing illness. Some churches administer sacramental anointing, while others practice prayer, pastoral visitation, and the laying on of hands.
Holy Orders concerns the appointment of individuals to positions of Christian ministry. Christian traditions differ concerning ordination, ministerial authority, and church leadership, but recognize the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel and serve others.
Holy Matrimony concerns marriage, marital fidelity, and family responsibilities. Catholic and Orthodox Christians recognize marriage as a sacrament or mystery, while most Protestant denominations regard it as an institution established by God rather than a separate sacrament.
Christians also recognize that not everyone is called to marriage or ordained ministry. The responsibilities associated with these practices must therefore be distinguished from requirements that apply to every believer.
The Common Christian Responsibilities
Although Christian denominations differ concerning the theological meaning and administration of the sacraments, they share important responsibilities associated with these practices.
The seven articles in this series examine the following Christian conclusions:
- Baptism: Christians are to be baptized in accordance with Christ’s command (Matthew 28:19).
- The Lord’s Supper: Christians are to continue observing the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
- Confirmation: Christians are to be instructed, established, and strengthened in the faith (Colossians 2:6–7).
- Confession: Christians are to confess their sins, repent of wrongdoing, and seek God’s forgiveness (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9).
- Anointing of the Sick: Christians are to pray for the sick, seek God’s healing, and provide care for those who are suffering (James 5:14–16).
- Holy Orders and Christian Ministry: Christians are to participate in spreading the Gospel and serving others according to their calling (Matthew 28:19–20; Ephesians 4:11–12).
- Holy Matrimony: Christians are to honor marriage, practice marital fidelity, and fulfill their responsibilities toward their families (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4).
These conclusions do not require every Christian to participate in every religious rite. Not all denominations practice Confirmation as a separate ceremony, not every Christian is called to ordained ministry, and Scripture does not require every believer to marry.
The purpose of these articles is to explain how different Christian traditions understand and practice these responsibilities. Each article identifies the relevant biblical passages, summarizes denominational teachings, and provides references for readers interested in further study.
The shared Christian responsibilities remain the central concern, regardless of the different theological explanations that Christian traditions give for them.