Sacraments

 
• An  outward  and  visible  sign  of  an  inward  and  invisible  Grace,  given  by  Christ  as  sure  ways  to  
receive  that  grace.      
 
o Grace  is  God’s  favor  towards  us,  unearned  and  undeserved.      Examples  of  Grace:  forgiveness,  Jesus,  being  
with  God  now,  wisdom,  strength,  healing….        
 
• We  are  a  Sacramental  Church.    Everything  we  do  on  the  outside  (down  to  everything  in  the  
sanctuary)  has  an  “inside”  meaning.        
 
• Sacraments  should  mean  something;  should  mark  something  on  the  inside:  as  a  church,  we  hope  
that  sacraments  mark  an  experience  of  God.  
 
• The  Articles  of  Religion  (BCP  P872)  states  that  the  Sacraments  are  to  be  “used”  duly  not  just  
carried  out.    They  are  sure  witnesses  and  effectual  signs  of  Grace  that  God  does  invisibly  work  in  
us  and  does  strengthen  and  confirm  our  Faith.        
 
• What  are  the  two  great  sacraments  of  the  Gospel?          Baptism    and    Eucharist  
    The  outward  signs  of  each?    The  inward  signs?    
 
• Other  sacraments?    Confirmation,  ordination,  matrimony,  unction  and  reconciliation  (penitence)  
 
What  is  the  difference  between  the  two  great  Sacraments  of  the  church  and  the  lesser  ones?  
They  are  not  ordained  in  the  Gospels  by  Christ  thus  are  not  necessary  for  all  persons.  
 
Baptism  
Jewish  Roots:  
• Judaic  Baptism/Initiation:    Jesus  was  not  baptized  a  Christian.        neither  was  John  
the  Baptist  baptizing  people  Christians        
• In  Judaism  baptism  signified  that  person’s  crossing  of  the  Red  Sea  into  freedom,  
into  the  promised  land;  accepting  the  heritage  and  hopes  of  the  rest  of  the  
community.        
• Baptism  went  beyond  people  also:  ceremonial  purifications  were  common  and  a  part  of  the  Old  
Covenant  (Mosaic/Levitical  Law):    think  Kosher  kitchen  and  food.  
• The  Jews  were  baptized  nude,  full  immersion  in  the  presence  of  witnesses;  they  took  an  oath  of  
loyalty  after  a  period  of  intense  instruction;  they  renounced  their  former  way  of  life  and  were  
then  sealed;  marked;  signed  on  their  forehead  with  oil  as  belonging  to  God.      
• John  the  Baptist  was  baptizing  people  to  prepare  them…  “prepare  the  way  of  the  Lord”    He  called  
people  to  repentance  and  to  come  back  to  God:  symbolizing  a  new  beginning  in  a  new  
community.      Jesus  was  first  baptized  by  John  before  he  began  his  ministry.      
 
 
 
 
 
Early  Church  Roots:  
• In  the  New  Testament  and  the  early  church:    
o circumcision  became  a  sign  and  seal  of  the  Abrahamic  Covenant  and  practiced  under  
Mosaic  Law    
o  baptism  became  construed  as  the  sign  and  seal  of  the  New  Covenant  of  the  Gospel.    They  
redefined  what  they  had  always  done.      Remember  Jesus  saying,  I  came  not  to  abolish  the  law  but  to  
fulfill  it.        
o The  church  deemed  true  circumcision  to  be  circumcision  of  the  heart.      And  with  baptism  no  
one  was  excluded  from  “full  membership.”      (only  men  were  circumcised).  
o Entire  households  (children  and  adults  were  baptized  together  and  one  time).    
• Baptism  already  meant:  repentance,  cleansing,  new  birth,  adoption,  death  and  resurrection  
o Cleansed  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  
o New  birth  in  Christ  
o Death  and  Resurrection  in  Christ  
o Incorporation  into  his  body  
o “marked”  with  the  seal  of  Christ    
o To  be  adopted  by  God  
o Anointed  to  receive  the  Holy  Spirit  for  ministry  (just  like  the  kings  and  priests  were  back  
then).  
o To  confess  one’s  faith  in  Christ  and  swear  loyalty  to  him.    
o To  the  Early  Church  to  be  baptized  was  to  repent  and  to  confess  the  faith.  
 
Apostolic  Times  (200  AD):  
• Converts    who  wished  to  be  admitted  as  catechumens  were  brought  forth  to  teachers  by  those  
who  could  vouch  them.  
• They  entered  a  three  year  period  of  study    
• They  bathed  on  Thursday  before  Easter;  Fasted  Friday  and  Saturday;  Saturday  night  was  spent  in  
vigil.    At  cock  crow  prayer  was  said  over  the  water.        
• Two  oils:  oil  of  exorcism  covered  the  entire  body,  the  candidate  then  renounced  “Satan  and  all  
his  servants  and  all  his  works.”      -­‐renouncing  not  just  sin  but  former  way  of  life.  
• Then  the  candidate  was  taken  down  into  the  water  where  he/she  was  asked  three  questions:    Do  
you  believe  in  God,  the  father  almighty?  Do  you  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  …  Do  you  believe  in  the  
Holy  Spirit    …  the  reply  “I  believe.”        They  were  dunked  after  each  profession  of  faith.    
• Next  they  were  anointed  with  the  oil  of  “thanksgiving”    (chrism)  and  robed.        
• They  were  then  brought  into  the  congregation  for  public  recognition  and  to  continue  in  the  
prayers  and  exchange  the  peace.      The  new  baptized  supplied  the  oblations  for  the  preparation  
of  the  Table.    
• The  establishment  of  Christianity  through  Constantine  brought  significant  changes  to  this  
initiation  rite  and  eventually  led  to  its  curtailment.      
 
From  Baptism  to  Confirmation:  
• Baptism  in  the  church  obviously  began  with  adults  
• Baptisms  originally  done  by  a  Bishop  immediately  followed  by  the  rite  of  confirmation:  the  laying  
on  of  apostolic  hands    (Bishops  follow  an  unbroken  line  from  the  Apostles  themselves)  and  the  
sealing  with  oil.      Usually  first  communion  followed.  
• Bishops  ended  up  with  huge  dioceses  and  would  only  be  able  to  visit  each  church  every  3  to  4  
years.      So  folks  could  only  be  baptized  every  3  to  4  years.          
 • Between  the  fear  of  infancy  death  and  the  theology  of  original  sin  (Augustine  400  AD)  the  mad  
rush  to  have  babies  baptized  grew  stronger.    The  catecheticaal  instructional  period  prior  to  
baptism  was  practically  unheard  of  by  the  13th  century  and  the  tie  to  Bishop’s,  the  church  year  
(Easter)  diminished.    
• So  priests  began  doing  the  baptism  part  of  the  service  –  they  baptized  with  water  and  sealed  
with  oil.    And  whenever  the  Bishop  came  to  the  church  he  would  finish  off  the  service  by      1.  
laying  on  of  hands.      2.    the  sealing  with  oil      3.      inviting  of  the  Holy  Spirit    
• Period  of  time  lengthened  between  baptism  and  the  “laying  on  of  hands”  And  so  the  one  
sacrament  became  two.    And  a  period  of  instruction  was  added  before  the  rite  of  confirmation.  
 
What  is  Baptism?  
 A  Sacrament  
 Doorway  to  Christian  Community  –  to  Christ’s  body  –  to  the  church  
 Full  membership  in  the  church  
 Establishes  us  as  members  of  God’s  family  
 A  turn  towards  God;  towards  being  in  relationship  with  God  (as  babies  this  intent  is  declared  by  
your  parents  and  Godparents  who  vow  to  raise  you  in  such  a  way)  
 Baptized  into  union  with  Christ  and  His  Church  
 “marked  and  sealed  forever”  –  “the  bond  God  establishes  at  Baptism  is  indissoluble.”  –  BCP.    
Baptism  is  permanent.      
 Two  Parts  to  Baptism:    1.      application  of  water          2.      sealed  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  
Holy  Spirit  
 
   Baptism  in  the  Episcopal  Church  
1. any  method  you  like:  immersion,  rivers,  sprinkling,  splashing,  dipping,  dunking.  
2. As  long  as  water  is  used,  it’s  legit:  water  symbolizing  spiritual  cleansing  and  renewal  and  
purification  
3. Baptism  in  infancy  versus  adulthood.  
a. In    TEC:  any  age  
b. Citizenship  of  the  US  is  applied  as  soon  as  one  is  born  here  regardless  of  the  fact  that  
they  don’t  know  the  rules;  the  law;  the  president  etc.  therefore  doesn’t  it  make  sense  
that  even  babies  are  citizens  of  Heaven  and  belong  to  God;  are  His  children  whether  
they  know  him  personally  or  not  
c. Greatest  illustration  of  GRACE  the  church  offers.    
d. Confirmation  is  roughly  equivalent  of  baptism  in  Baptist;  Church  Of  Christ  and  other  
non-­‐denominational  streams  of  the  church.  
 
 
The  Episcopal  Church  expects  those  who  are  baptized  young  to  be  confirmed  when  ready.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Confirmation?    (BCP  p.412)  
 
Confirmation  comes  from  the  word  “confirmare”  meaning    “to  strengthen”  
 
• According  to  the  Catechism  (pg.  860  of  BCP)  
“Confirmation  is  the  rite  in  which  we  express  a  mature  commitment  to  Christ,  and  receive  strength  from  
the  Holy  Spirit  through  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  hands  by  a  Bishop.”        
 
o The  sacramental  action  of  inviting  the  Holy  Spirit  to  come  upon  you  (through  the  laying  
on  of  hands)  to  equip  and  strengthen  you  to  carry  out  the  great  commission.  (Matthew  
28:19)    
o Confirmation  is  the  commissioning  (the  sending  forth)  and  the  equipping  for  ministry  and  
carry  it  out  in  the  church  and  in  the  world.    
 
• According  to  the  rubric  (p.412  of  BCP)  
 
 “In  the  course  of  their  Christian  development,  those  baptized  at  any  early  age  are  expected,  when  they  
are  ready  and  have  been  duly  prepared,  to  make  a  mature  public  affirmation  of  their  faith  and  
commitment  to  the  responsibilities  of  their  Baptism  and  to  receive  the  laying  on  of  hands  by  the  
bishop.”          
 
• The  Australian  BCP  following  the  presentation  of  candidates  has  a  section  labeled  “THE  
DECISION”  where  the  candidates  are  told    “Before  God  and  this  congregation,  you  must  affirm  
that  you  turn  to  Christ.”      
 
• Confirmation  is  not  graduation  from  the  church.    It  is  not  the  beginning  of  your  Spiritual  journey  
nor  is  it  the  end.      Confirmation  is  the  place  of  “strengthening”  you  and  equipping  you  for  the  
rigors  of  mature  Christian  life.        
 
• Confirmation  is  the  Episcopal  Church’s  “Altar  Call.”      Here  you  make  a  public  and  personal  and  
voluntary  affirmation  of  your  Christian  identity.        
 
• Confirmation  is  a  mature  personal  commitment  to  the  church,  to  God.    It  is  the  rite  of  passage  
into  being  an  adult  in  the  church.      And  through  the  Bishop’s  hands  you  are  connected  to  church  
beyond  your  parish.      
 
• Confirmation  is  saying  “yes,  I  believe.”    Your  parents  said  “yes”  for  you  when  you  were  baptized,  
now  it’s  your  turn.    Confirmation  is  saying  “yes”  to  Jesus’  call  to  believe  and  to  follow  Him.      
 
• Confirmation  is  not  “joining”  the  church  -­‐  you  joined  the  church  the  day  you  were  baptized.    
“renewing”  your  baptismal  vows  (I  like  to  say  “owning”  them)  –  not  doing  them  over  and  not  
completing  them;  “confirming”  them.        It’s  being  “confirmed”  or  “strengthened”  
 
• Confirmation  is  not  becoming  a  Christian.    You  already  are  one  at  least  in  name  if  not  in  practice.  
 
• Confirmation  is  taking  ownership  of  your  FAITH  …  and  your  participation  in  the  church.  
  
• Confirmation  is  not  something  you  do  because  you  are  the  right  age  or  because  your  parents  
want  you  to  or  because  your  friends  are  doing  it  –  according  to  the  commentary  on  the  BCP,  the  church  
expects  “confirmation”  to  be  a  voluntary,  mature  decision.      
 
• Confirmation  is  your  commitment  move  (your  parents  did  it  at  Baptism  and  now  it’s  your  turn).    
It  is  your  opportunity  to  choose  whom  you  will  serve  in  this  life.      
 
• To  quote  one  of  St.  Paul’s    confirmands,  Confirmation  goes  like  this:  
“I’ve  known  for  a  while  what  I  believe  and  I  have  taken  ownership  of  my  faith,  but  now  
it’s  time  to  tell  the  church.”  
 
 
Confirmands  during  the  rite  used  to  be  slapped  by  the  Bishop  as  part  of  the  outward  sign  
of  the  sacrament:    why????          To  AWAKEN  you  to  the  mature  life  in  Christ.      Another  
aspect  of  defining  confirmation:      A  time  of    AWAKENING.            

 
What  is  required  of  those  to  be  confirmed?    
• Been  baptized  (maybe  baptized  on  the  same  day)  
o Sufficiently  instructed  in  the  Christian  Faith:  so  that  confirmands  become  “intelligent,  loyal  
and  regular  members  of  Christian  Community  and  effective  ambassadors  for  Christ  in  their  daily  
life.”  
• Penitent  for  their  sins  (in  other  words  know  we  need  God  and  sinners)  
• Ready  to  affirm  their  confession  of  Jesus  Christ  as  Savior  and  Lord.          
 
 
So  what  does  confirmation  mean  in  your  life?  
1. It’s  YOUR  responsibility  now  to  get  your  self  to  church  and  to  PARTICIPATE  in  the  church.      
2. It’s  YOUR  faith  now.      Know  what  you  believe  and  why.    And  if  YOUR  faith  isn’t  growing,  then  
it’s  up  to  you  to  do  something  about  it.    It’s  time  to  figure  out  how  you  are  going  to  practice  
your  faith.    
3. It’s  a  sacrament:  it  should  be  the  outward  sign  of  something  happening  on  the  inside.    It  
should  mark  an  experience  of  God  on  your  journey  through  life.  You  should  be  able  to  look  at  
your  life  and  see  the  outward  signs  of  a  life  committed  to  walking  with  God.        
 
 
The  goal  of  the  Catechumenate:    
 It  is  not  to  help  you  know  more  about  God,  the  church  and  your  faith;    
but  instead  it  is  to  help  you  to  KNOW  God  personally  by  following  Him  with  your  life    
and  to  KNOW  the  church  by  being  an  integral  part  of  it.      
 
 I  could  have  you  just  memorize  things  (the  catechism,  the  creed,  the  10  commandments).      
Though  that  is  what  the  church  used  to  do  in  its  middle  ages,  I’d  like  to  think  at  least  in  some  areas  we’re  
a  little  wiser  now  and  know  that  really  this  whole  confirmation  gig  –  the  whole  Christian  thing  –  is  more  
than  just  knowing  facts.