The Sacraments

Rome would have us believe that there are seven sacraments that the church should adhere to, these are:

  1. Baptism (this relates to infant, or paedobaptism - meaning child or infant -  it signifies baptismal regeneration, draws on the O. T. rite of circumcision)

  2. Confirmation (this relates to receiving the Holy Spirit - a second blessing draws on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost)

  3. Penance (this relates to acts of contrition that demonstrates outwardly ones true repentance, and secures ones forgiveness by showing God just how sorry we are, draws on the act of sack cloths and ashes)

  4. Holy Eucharist (this relates to heart of Roman Catholic Holy Communion, and embraces a pagan understanding known as transubstantiation, its origins are commonly seen to be of the occult or pagan rituals)

  5. Marriage (this relates to Genesis Chap. 2 v 24 - and is considered a means of receiving God's special grace, it goes beyond the gift of Faith)

  6. Anointing the Sick or the dying (especially at point of death - Extrema Unción Sacrametos - the last rites, without which you cannot enter directly into heaven)

  7. Holy Orders (refers to the hierarchical priesthood, and the monastic orders; reflects the Levitcal priesthood, with the addition of Monks and Nuns)

All of these are said to impart 'special grace' from God.

The Reformation restored the Sacraments...as understood from Scripture; in particular the New Testament teaching of Jesus, from seven to two:

  1. The sacrament of Baptism upon a personal profession of Faith - this is non-regenerative - as regeneration comes before Baptism

  2. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion - this is not transubstantiation - as the elements do not take on the literal body and blood of Christ as in the Catholic meaning of the rite.