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Sacraments An Essay By: Iain A. Emberson Date: 20 October 2009 1  sketch 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 - set apart Communion 6. Conclusion 7. Bibliography 2 1. Introduction The Sacraments argon amongst the well-nigh visible forms of external way 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 signification 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 understand 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 s tage, a connecter was made between the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and the mystery of Gods slake work in Christ. 1 Tertullian (c. 160-220) translated the Greek term into Latin, by using sacramentum, a word which in a unholy sense meant an oath of allegiance, for example the sort that a deteriorate might make to his commanding officer. The 4th century theologist Augustine of Hippo defined a sacrament as an outwards and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. scorn this definition, there was no widespread agreement as to the number of rites that could properly be called sacraments. It was not until the 12th century, with the work of shucks Lombard (1100-1160), that the sacraments were systemised and their total number listed as seven. These were Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders, penitence and Unction. All of these, it was argued were instituted by Christ 2 and remain (with differences in terminology for some of them), th e sacraments of the Roman Catholic and Ortho! dox...If you want to modernise out a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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