Knowra Sacrament Sacrament A sacred rite understood by a Christian tradition as conveying divine grace or expressing a covenant with God. Traditions differ over which rites qualify and how they work.
Divine grace : In Christian theology, divine grace is God's freely given aid, favor, or presence. Sacraments are understood in many traditions as means through which God gives grace.
Seven sacraments : The seven sacraments are baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony. The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches recognize these seven rites as sacraments.
Baptism : Baptism is a Christian rite using water to signify or effect entry into the church and life in Christ. It is widely recognized as a sacrament and marks initiation into Christian life.
New Testament : The New Testament is the collection of Christian scriptures about Jesus, the early church, and Christian teaching. Later sacramental arguments appeal to its accounts of baptism, the Lord's Supper, and church practice.
Christian initiation : Christian initiation is the process by which a person is incorporated into a Christian community and its practices. Baptism and, in some traditions, confirmation define stages of sacramental belonging.
Covenant theology : Covenant theology interprets God's relationship with humanity through covenants established in biblical history. Some traditions understand sacraments as signs and seals of God's covenant promises.
Two sacraments : The two sacraments commonly recognized in Protestant traditions are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Many Protestant churches restrict the category to rites instituted by Christ in the New Testament.
Eucharist : The Eucharist is a Christian rite in which bread and wine are used in remembrance of Jesus' Last Supper. It is central to sacramental worship and generates major disputes about Christ's presence.
Last Supper : The Last Supper is the meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. Its bread-and-cup tradition grounds Christian celebration of the Eucharist.
Infant baptism : Infant baptism is the baptism of children too young to make a personal profession of faith. Its sacramental meaning shapes debates about faith, grace, and church membership.
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