First off, it must be stated that the term, sacrament, is a human term, and thus, churches choosing to use this term are also free to define it as they see fit. Because of this some churches choose not to use this term at all, since it is not a scriptural term, but still baptize people, marry people, celebrate the Lord’s Supper and so on. For those churches that use this term, it is always a rite carried out by the church.
The Orthodox church of America, while listing the same 7 sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church, writes in their website (The Orthodox Faith - Volume II - Worship - The Sacraments - The Sacraments - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)): The sacraments in the Orthodox Church are officially called the “holy mysteries.” Usually seven sacraments are counted: baptism, chrismation (or confirmation), holy eucharist, penance, matrimony, holy orders and the unction of the sick.
The practice of counting the sacraments was adopted in the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholics. It is not an ancient practice of the Church and, in many ways, it tends to be misleading since it appears that there are just seven specific rites which are “sacraments” and that all other aspects of the life of the Church are essentially different from these particular actions. The more ancient and traditional practice of the Orthodox Church is to consider everything which is in and of the Church as sacramental or mystical.
Most other Churches either follow the lead of the Roman Church (a specific rite of the church), or the more narrowly defined definition of the Lutheran Church. For Lutherans, a sacrament is a rite of the church that specifically conveys the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Thus for Lutherans, the sacraments would be Confession and Absolution, Baptism, and Holy Communion. Some Lutherans also include the requirement of a visible element (water or bread and wine). Those that do, speak of just 2 sacraments, Baptism, and Holy Communion.
With this being said, I will take a closer look at how the church bodies differ on their views of Confession and Absolution, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
Confession and Absolution – Many churches believe that God has not given to man the right or ability to speak on His behalf and forgive sins. This goes directly against the words of Jesus when speaking to the apostles when He said: if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. They say that since the priest/pastor cannot look into anyone’s heart, and know that they are sincere in their repentance, they cannot and should not tell anyone their sins are forgive. They can only say, your sins are forgiven IF you’re repentance is sincere, and that it is God who is forgiving you, not they themselves.
The Roman Catholic, orthodox, and some other Churches teach confession and absolution under the name penance. Under this system, the priest hears the confession, gives the person specific acts of penance the person is to do, and then absolves them. On the positive side, these acts, which are usually devotional in nature, help a person psychologically to feel they have done something to make amends for their sin, and to feel forgiven. Unlike the earlier group, They do teach that the words of absolution given by the priest are a certain and sure as if Christ spoke the words Himself.
The Lutheran position is the same, except that giving a person acts of penance they must do may make them feel that they are, by doing the penance, earning forgiveness. But we cannot earn forgiveness. Forgiveness is a gift God gives to believers on account of the perfect life and suffering and death of Jesus.
The purpose of private confession and absolution is to give the person who continues to feel guilt after corporate confession and absolution an extra measure of comfort that yes, that specific sin that troubles you so much is indeed covered by the blood of Christ.
Holy Baptism – Almost all Christian churches teach that the rite of holy baptism is to be performed. Many churches teach what they call believers baptism. Only after reaching a poorly defined age of accountability and confessing their faith should someone be baptized. They reject any concept that an infant is capable of saving faith, even though John leapt for joy in his mother’s womb when Elizabeth met Mary when Mary was pregnant with Jesus.
Lutherans, Catholics, and Orthodox churches teach that God can and does work saving faith in an infant in the rite of Holy Baptism, and brings that child into the fellowship of the Church. They teach that all are sinners, and that in baptism, all their sins are forgiven. The main point here is that GOD works faith in ALL who believe.
Holy Communion – Many see Holy Communion as primarily and act of obedience whereby the Christian shows Christ’s death, until He comes again. These same churches teach that all that is received is bread and wine, nothing more. While partaking of Holy communion does indeed show the Lord’s death until He comes and is certainly an act of obedience, it is much more. Sacramental Churches teach that in holy communion Christ feeds His people on Himself. A common symbol is that of a pelican that rips open his own flesh to feed its chicks. While this is clearly about the cross, and Christ giving Himself for sinners, the supper, as a Sacrament connects us to that cross, connects us to Christ, and gives us what is promised. Take eat, this is my body. Take, drink, this is my blood.
How can this be? With God, all things are possible. Confession and Absolution, Baptism, and Holy Communion are gifts God has given to His Church that through her he might bring us to life, feed us, and keeps us firm to the end. It’s all about the mercy of Jesus.
Note: This is but a brief overview of this topic. No mention was made of transubstantiation (Roman Catholic – bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ) or mystical union (Lutheran - the body is united with the bread, Christ’s blood with the wine). Very little is mentioned about the birth of the new Adam, Christ in us, that takes place in baptism, etc. etc. I would be happy to explore this and any other topics with any of the readers of this article. Feel free to call me at 307-434-2314.
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