Seven sacred acts which were deemed in medieval theology to confer grace; the most esteemed was the celebration of the mass, sometimes simply referred to as "the sacrament". (Heath, Peter. Church and Realm, 1272-1461, 367)
The sacraments are special signs of Christ’s love and presence.
an exterior sign of no interior action
Special religious ceremonies such as baptism, communion, and marriage.
an outward and visible sign of all inner and spiritual grace
Bread or wafers and wine served at communion
Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means for receiving God's grace. Baptism and Eucharist are the two great sacraments given by Christ to his church. (BCP, pp. 857-858).
Sacraments are what the Book of Common Prayer describes as ‘outward and visible signs of inward spiritual grace'. The main two are Baptism and the Eucharist. The outward form of these sacraments are ‘water' for baptism which represents new life and the ‘bread and wine' of the Eucharist which represents the body and blood of Christ. Other sacramental signs include marriage, ordination, confirmation, confession and healing.
The sacraments are viewed as vital ministries in the Community of Christ for both individual and community spiritual development. They are viewed as essential to the mission, identity and message of the denomination, providing a common foundation for religious practice across the world. Stephen M.
