Sacraments Baptism and Eucharist
Sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist
Sacraments are holy rituals that Christians believe are channels of God's grace. Catholics recognise seven sacraments; most Protestants recognise two (baptism and Eucharist).
Baptism
Baptism is the initiation rite into the Christian Church. It symbolises cleansing from sin, new life in Christ and joining the Christian community.
Two Forms of Baptism
| Type | Who? | How? | Denominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant baptism | Babies/young children | Water poured over the head; parents and godparents make promises on behalf of the child | Catholic, Anglican, Methodist |
| Believers' baptism | Adults/older teenagers who choose for themselves | Full immersion in water | Baptist, Pentecostal |
Why Infant Baptism?
- Removes original sin (Catholic teaching)
- Welcomes the child into the Church community
- Parents and godparents promise to raise the child as a Christian
- Mark 10:14 — Jesus said: "Let the little children come to me"
Why Believers' Baptism?
- Baptism should be a personal, conscious choice — babies cannot choose
- Full immersion symbolises dying to sin and rising to new life with Christ (like Jesus' death and resurrection)
- Jesus was baptised as an adult (Matthew 3:13-17), setting the example
- Acts 2:38 — "Repent and be baptised" — implies understanding and choice
The Eucharist (Holy Communion / Mass / Lord's Supper)
The Eucharist re-enacts the Last Supper — Jesus' final meal with his disciples before the crucifixion. Bread and wine represent (or become) Jesus' body and blood.
Different Views on the Eucharist
| View | Denomination | Belief |
|---|---|---|
| Transubstantiation | Catholic | The bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ, though they still look and taste like bread and wine |
| Consubstantiation | Lutheran | Christ is present in the bread and wine, but they do not change substance |
| Symbolic/Memorial | Baptist, many Protestants | The bread and wine are symbols only — a way to remember Jesus' sacrifice, not literally his body and blood |
Biblical Basis
- Luke 22:19-20 — At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, broke it and said: "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me"
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — Paul instructs Christians to share the Eucharist "until he comes"
Why the Eucharist Matters
- It remembers Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
- It brings Christians closer to God through grace
- It unites the Christian community — all share the same meal
- For Catholics, it is the most important act of worship — the centre of the Mass
Exam Tips
- Know the key differences between Catholic and Protestant views on both sacraments
- Transubstantiation is a favourite exam term — define it precisely
- For AO2: Should babies be baptised if they cannot consent? Is the bread literally the body of Christ?