Sacraments
Sacrament “A sign and instrument of grace. Sacrament are liturgical rites instituted by Jesus Christ as channels of his salvation to the world” by Dr. Scott Hahn in his Catholic Bible Dictionary. Sacraments, as seen in the Old Testament, were physical forms that represent spiritual bonding. There are also Sacramentals.
There are seven sacraments:
- Baptism
- Holy Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation
- Confession (Reconciliation)
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
The Ten Commandments were a unification of conduct for all of mankind, manifest into two stones tablets that represent a spiritual law. This is seen through a spiritual oath represented by physical sacrifices to God (as evidenced in Genesis 15:7-21; 22:13-18; Exodus 24:3-8, etc.). Sacraments can be an offering of an oath, an acceptance of an oath, or a renewal of an oath to God. The most known sacrament, which is an oath of spirituality portrayed physically, is baptism.
Baptism is known for its salvific power because it is the rebirth with Christ (John 3:3-5). It binds us into the life of the Trinity and offers us the regression of sins.
Eucharist is salvific for it is the participation in the Body and Blood of Christ. We know that His flesh brought about life for all of mankind, and to be in participation of life giving flesh gives us life (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Confirmation confers a spiritual anointing of the Paraclete (1 John 2:20, 27) which help us promulgate our belief (Acts 1:8; Hebrews 2:4) which has salvific roots.
Reconciliation is salvific in which sin regresses and is forgiven (John 20:23).
Matrimony mirrors the Trinity which all salvation is derived from. Matrimony is the union of a husband and wife and edifies mankind by being physical images of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:6-8). For additional understanding, please read articles Trinity, section “Man: Made in the Image of God, the Trinity” to further grasp the validity of Matrimony, and Celibacy and Holy Orders which are all intrinsic.
Holy Orders vocation and ordination of those in apostolic succession who preach the Word that brings about salvation (Acts 20:28-32).
Anointing of the Sick aids in the remission of sins, which is salvific, as seen in James 5:14-15.
And because of this grace and allowance permitting us to seek our Almighty, it is most appropriate to quote,
“The simple words ‘Thank you’ will always stand out as a refutation of determinism, for they imply something which was done could possibly have been left undone” Archbishop Fulton Sheen in his The Life of All Living.
God didn’t have to, but He did; Thank You.
Your’s,
Drew Castel.
