Unit 4, Assignment 2: Five Minor Sacraments

We’ve talked about the two major sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. These special symbols of the Christian faith were commanded by Jesus:

Holy Baptism
[Jesus said:] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Holy Eucharist
“While they were eating, [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:22-24).

In addition to these two major sacraments, there are five minor sacraments. The two major sacraments are distinguished from the five minor sacraments in that the five minor sacraments are “hinted at” but not commanded by Jesus in the New Testament.

Here are the five minor sacraments, and Biblical passages that allude to them:

Anointing (a sacrament of healing) James 5:14

Confirmation (a sacrament of vocation) Acts 8:14-17

Marriage (a sacrament of vocation) Ephesians 5:31

Ordination (a sacrament of vocation) Acts 6:6; Acts 13:2-3

Reconciliation (a sacrament that communicates God’s forgiveness) John 20:21-23

Assignment:

1a. Click here to go to an article about the sacrament of anointing. What did this sacrament used to be called (Extreme _____ )? What did it signify then?

1b. Look up James 5:14 about anointing. Write out the Bible passage.

2. Look up Acts 8:14-17 about confirmation. Write out the Bible passage.

3a. Look up Ephesians 5:31 about marriage. Write out the Bible passage.

3b. What do you think the Bible means when it says “one flesh”?

4. In the Anglican Church we say there are three “orders” of ministry: deacon, priest, and bishop. Find a definition in the dictionary for each of these.

5. Look up John 20:21-23 about reconciliation. Write out the passage.