Development of Seven Sacraments

Introduction

A sacrament is referred to a sacred rite of the Christians that is recognized as having a particular significance and importance. It is further observed that there are different views that are found on the meaning and the existence of the sacraments in the Catholic religion. The sacraments have been defined as efficacious signs of grace that were instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church through which the divine life is dispensed to the Catholic people. The significant rites through which the sacraments are fulfilled play a vital role in dispensing the graces that are related to each of the sacraments properly. It is very important to understand the sacraments bear fruit in those people who receive them with the required dispositions in the matter of religion. It is further observed that the Catechism that is found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer has defined a sacrament as a visible and outward sign of a spiritual and inward grace given to the people, ordained by Jesus Christ Himself, as a means through which the people receive the same and a pledge to assure the people thereof. The seven sacraments are regarded very high in the lives of the Catholics and it is mandatory for them to receive the seven sacraments at the proper time. The core focus of this paper is to view, identify and discuss the development of the seven sacraments that are very important in Catholicism (Medieval Sourcebook, pp.1-90).

Discussion

It is very significant that the seven sacraments are very important in the religion of Catholicism. The seven sacraments are very important to note and it is very important to know that the individuals would play a vital role in receiving the sacraments with the proper dispositions as required by the religion (First Letter of Paul to Timothy 2:5). The following are the seven sacraments that have been given to the Catholics through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Baptism.

Confirmation.

Holy Eucharist.

Confession.

The Anointing of the Sick.

Holy Orders.

Matrimony.

The following discussion involves the focus on the development of these sacraments and the emergence of these sacraments to be s important for the Catholics to receive. It is obvious that the origin of the importance of these sacraments has come from the teachings of Jesus Christ. The following is the discussion on the development of each of the seven sacraments through the history of Christianity (Weidner, pp.5-16).

Baptism

Baptism is considered to be the foundation of a Christian's life. Baptism is compulsory for salvation ad it also provides a clear message that the new Christian is a child of God. It has been observed in the Holy Bible that Jess Christ was also baptized. It becomes very important for Christians to get their children baptized. It is further observed that the child is anointed with the oil of catechumens, which is then followed by the confession of faith that is made by the parents or godparents of the child. It is obvious that the priest immerses the head of the child ...