Christian Sacraments - Article Example

Christian Sacraments Christians are people in our society who believe in belonging to God in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. They believe in a call by God to holiness and in the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that a sacrament is a doctrine of second way of Gods salvation of humanity. This paper discusses the purposes of sacraments in a Christian life. Sacrament By celebrating various events in their lives for example marriage, baptism, and dedications; Christians consider it sacramental. A sacrament is a rite or an action that is of particular importance in a Christian life. According to Charry,” Sacraments are concrete actions by which Christians may be marked, fed, and touched by the Holy Spirit so that the reality of God and the work of Christ become embedded in the body and psyche” (Cherry web). Therefore, a sacrament is an outward efficacious sign instituted by Christ to give grace to his beloved Christians. Purposes of Sacraments The bible, which is the holy book that Christians believe in, contains various promises. Christians believe in it since the men who wrote it received Gods inspiration before writing it. The first purpose that sacraments play is to recall Gods promise and presence in the worshipping community. Promises of God tagged in different sacraments invoke his love and presence when celebrated. The Holy Spirit invoked in the sacraments and who is the third person in the trinity brings the presence of God in the sacrament celebrations. He dwells in the lives of Christians influencing their daily undertakings. Secondly, Christians celebrate sacraments in remembrance of the life of their saviour Jesus Christ. In participating in the Eucharist, Christians remember the death of their saviour Jesus Christ, his rise from the dead, and their expectation of seeing Him again after they die is revived. Thirdly, Christians participate in sacraments to increase their strength and comfort from the harsh worldly conditions they go through. This physical symbol of partaking in Eucharist feed Christians, sustain their salvation and transforms them daily into the life of Christ. This way they can fight their enemy the devil who dwells in the world to kill, destroy, and steal from the Christians. Practices Considered Sacraments The most celebrated sacraments include Baptism, Eucharist, Matrimony, Death, Penance, Holy orders, Confirmation, and anointing for the sick. While Christians in the catholic churches celebrate all the seven sacraments, other Christians only celebrate a few of them. For instance, the Pentecostal churches Christians practise baptism, Eucharist, matrimony, and confirmation. Others like Salvation Army and Society of friends do not practise any sacraments at all since they believe to lead a sacramental life. Baptism is one practise considered sacrament by many of the Christians. The Catholics Christians believe in pouring water three times in the head of a child or on a new believer. This is not the case with the Pentecostals because they prefer to baptize mature adults who understand the process of salvation and the reason for baptism. In addition, their way of baptism is different since they prefer to immerse the whole body in water and remove it after few seconds. Despite the different methods Christian use to administer this sacrament, the sole purpose of it is second rebirth of a Christian, washing them from the first sin committed by Adam and Eve. Confirmation is the second sacrament of Christian initiation. According to American Catholic website, confirmation is one of the three Christian initiation sacraments. It is administered on a mature committed Christian to deepen baptismal gifts and invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit (American Catholic web). Catholics and Orthodox believe in this sacrament and they use to make Christians make a promise to God. The Third sacrament common with Christians is Eucharist. It is commonly also known as the Holy Communion or the Lords Supper. Most Christians administer Holy Communion and believe in it. Christians take Eucharist in remembrance of Jesus words before His death on the cross. According to an education website, “When Jesus had the last supper he took some bread, broke it, and shared it with the disciples. He passed a big cup of wine round the group. He told them that he must die to save mankind and they must always share the bread and wine in remembrance of him” (Educational web). Jesus commanded the Christians to celebrate the Eucharist and this they do in their meetings to remember his life, death, and resurrection. The fourth practise considered as a sacrament by orthodox and the Catholic Christians is Marriage. Two people in love are joined together in this sacrament of marriage to become a new family. Each of them recites some promises to the other and their marriage is blessed to overcome all obstacles of life. The two remain faithful to each other until death parts them. Some Christians may decide to remain single and dedicate their lives to serve God and fellow humankind. This sacrament administered by Catholics in Holy orders and celibacy. The Fifth and Sixth practices considered sacramental are the anointing of the sick and death. Some Christians believe in preparing a sick person before they die by anointing them. Its administration depends on immediate danger of death and calls for absolution where one cannot confess or receive the Eucharist. On dying, Christians celebrate in a burial ceremony of the reunion of a believer back to Christ. Lastly, Penance and reconciliation is a common practise with Catholic Christians who consider it sacramental. This spiritual healing sacrament connects a believer back to God after sinning. The process involves a remorseful sinner visiting a priest to confess, actual confession, an absolution by the priest, and penance. Conclusion A sacrament is an outward sign depicting a certain inward belief by Christians. Seven mostly practised sacraments include baptism, confirmation, Holy supper, reconciliation and penance, marriage, death, and anointing of the sick. Sacraments strengths Christians faith, cause inner satisfaction, and remembrance of Christ the saviour of Christians. Not all Christians recognise the same sacraments. While Catholics observe all the seven sacraments, Salvation Army and Society of Friends do not practice any of the sacraments. Works Cited American Catholic. “The seven Catholic Sacraments.” 2012. Web 11 April 2012. http://www.americancatholic.org/features/special/default.aspx?id=29 Charry, Ellen “Sacraments for the Christian life.” Religion-Online. 1995. Web 11 April 2012. http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=527 Educational website. “Christian Celebrations-Sacraments.” Web 11 April 2012. http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/christianity/christian_sacraments.html Read More