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Sacraments An Essay By: Iain A. Emberson Date: 20 October 2009 1  define 1. Introduction 2. Sacraments - Definitions and History 3. Sacraments - talent and Mode of Operation 4. Sacraments in Action I - Baptism 5. Sacraments in Action II - holy place Communion 6. Conclusion 7. Bibliography 2 1. Introduction The Sacraments argon amongst the some visible forms of external prospect in Christianity, approaching as they do with significant variations, both in reduce and in practice. This essay will examine their theological and historic background, and their meaning in the ongoing life of the church. We also center on the two main sacraments as practised in Protestant Christianity, viz. Baptism and Holy Communion. 2. Sacraments - Definitions and History The early church grant a subdue of rites or practices which in some expression expressed the mystery (Greek: mysterion) of the Christian faith. McGrath points out that from an early stage, a j oin was made between the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and the mystery of Gods condone work in Christ. 1 Tertullian (c.

160-220) translated the Greek term into Latin, by using sacramentum, a word which in a blasphemous sense meant an oath of allegiance, for example the sort that a go along might make to his commanding officer. The 4th century theologian Augustine of Hippo defined a sacrament as an superficial and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. pooh-pooh this definition, there was no widespread agreement as to the count of rites that could properly be called sacraments. It was not until the 12th century, with the work of pricking Lombard (1100-1160), that the sacraments were systemised and thei! r total number listed as seven. These were Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders, penance and Unction. All of these, it was argued were instituted by Christ 2 and remain (with differences in terminology for some of them), the sacraments of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox...If you want to draw in out a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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