The Sacraments

The Catholic believer is required to follow certain steps from the day they are born until their death bed which are as follows: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

The Church clearly believes that participating in the sacraments dispenses a measure of grace to its believers. While Protestants observe certain sacraments, they do not believe that they allow people to transcend into a deeper level of grace by simply performing the sacraments.

As an example, Protestants observe baptism as an act of public affirmation rather than a way to attain grace. Additionally, Protestants observe the sacrament of communion at the Lord’s table, which is performed to remember Christ rather than to give followers a measure of grace points.

A Catholic believer’s general progression in life through the sacraments would be as follows:

• At birth, the Catholic church claims that the Holy Spirit embraces the child (this is known as the first actual grace). In this initial interaction, the child is said to be given the grace to reach out to God and prepares their soul for the next step, which is baptism.

• Catholics believe that when a child is baptized, they are cleansed of their original sin. They also claim that ‘sanctifying grace’ (which is higher than the grace received at birth) is infused into the child.

• Next comes the Sacrament of Confirmation (usually performed during the age 7 to 18). In this Sacrament, the priest lays his hand on the individual to receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore, more grace is applied to the individual at this stage.

• Upon completion of these two major rituals (Baptism & Confirmation), the individual is declared justified before God. However, they have not yet been fully accepted or prepared to be received into heaven. They must commit to a lifetime of good works, which are ultimately weighed against their flaws or shortcomings.
• The next step a Catholic needs to take is the Sacrament of Matrimony. For additional grace points, followers must marry a Roman Catholic spouse.

• The Sacrament of holy orders is another option available to Catholic believers, where a priest ordains them to take on a higher role within the church. Most Catholics do not reach this point in their lifetime, but all are encouraged to do so.

• Additionally, two ‘continuous’ acts must be performed: the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

• • • The Eucharist is participation in the weekly mass where Jesus’ life on earth is reenacted (metaphorically) until He is crucified on the cross. The Catholic Church believes that in every mass, Jesus’ flesh and blood is presented in the Eucharist. Catholics understand that forgiveness for sins and merits are added to the believer’s life when bread and wine are consumed.

• • • The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance is another mandatory act that all Catholics are required to perform, especially if they have committed a Mortal Sin (a serious, deliberate sin as listed in the ten commandments, including those deemed as serious sins by the church itself such as missing the weekly mass) in their lives. All Catholics need to go for confessionals to their local priests frequently. Depending on the severity of their sins, they are required to perform certain good works prescribed by the priest to absolve themselves of those sins (such as fasting, praying, and donating money to the church).
• Lastly, anointing the sick is a sacrament that is often forgotten or ignored but is nonetheless considered important.The Sacrament of Anointing the Sick basically involves putting oil on someone who is ill to pray for them.

The Catholic Church, in its teachings, positions itself as a vital intermediary between the believer and Christ. This is evidenced through the emphasis on sacraments and rituals as essential components of salvation. This approach, fosters a dependency on the Church for salvation, potentially overshadowing the individual’s direct relationship with Christ. We can see how the church entraps its followers at different stages of life leaving Catholics in fear of losing “easy grace points” to get to heaven.

Below are some of the doctrinal statements concerning the teaching of the Sacraments affirmed during the General Council of Trent (1545–1563): Seventh Session;

CANON I. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or that they are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema.

CANON IV. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification; – though all (the sacraments) are not necessary for every individual; let him be anathema.

Additionally it is important to note that these sacraments were not established formally until 1439 AD, which raises some pertinent questions;

Why did it take 1439 years after Jesus for something so critical to be established? How about those who lived by faith before the sacraments were established? Why was it not mandated for 1400 years? Are all those who lived before the sacraments condemned?

It is essential to ask these questions about the sacraments.

However, the most important question is, what does the Bible say about these sacraments? Are they required to go to heaven?

Most definitely not.

It is clear in the Bible that we have been saved only through Jesus’ work. As humans, we are sinful by nature, and nothing we can do on our own can justify us before a Holy God. This is illustrated in the following verses;

Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

As a conclusion, the sacraments are primarily established to entrap the followers and to create a fear of losing out if they do not adhere to or deviate from the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Ultimately, it comes down to doing more work to receive more grace. The more grace you have, the closer you are to being fully justified. This is note the good news of the gospel.