The Sacraments are defined in the Episcopal Church’s catechism, found in the Book of Common Prayer, as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” In other words, a Sacrament is a promise made by Christ to respond in specific ways to rituals that are carried out by the ministers of his Church.
In the Anglican tradition, we recognize seven Sacraments, among them the two great Sacraments of the Gospel (Baptism and the Eucharist) and five other Sacramental Rites: Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), and Unction (anointing of the sick).
It is important to note that God's grace is in no way limited to these seven avenues. The Sacraments are simply a means by which we can trust that God's grace is bestowed on us, because we believe the god of the Bible, who never forgot his promises to Abraham or to David, will always keep his word.
To learn more about the Sacraments, the Outline of the Faith (commonly called the Catechism) is a great place to start. The section on the Sacraments starts on page 857 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and can also be read online.
In the Anglican tradition, we recognize seven Sacraments, among them the two great Sacraments of the Gospel (Baptism and the Eucharist) and five other Sacramental Rites: Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), and Unction (anointing of the sick).
It is important to note that God's grace is in no way limited to these seven avenues. The Sacraments are simply a means by which we can trust that God's grace is bestowed on us, because we believe the god of the Bible, who never forgot his promises to Abraham or to David, will always keep his word.
To learn more about the Sacraments, the Outline of the Faith (commonly called the Catechism) is a great place to start. The section on the Sacraments starts on page 857 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and can also be read online.