Protestants: What Is A Sacrament?

A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace, which actually achieves what it signifies.

Each sacrament carries with it the promise of God's Word. Since everything God says is true, His Word makes a sacrament more than what we see with human eyes: A miracle occurs with the administration of a sacrament, because God's Word always accomplishes what it promises.

For some protestants, Baptism is an initiation into God's family and the family of Christian believers. Jesus was Baptized when He started His ministry although He had no sin. The water is symbolic of cleansing. Baptism is the beginning of a process within a group of Christian believers which includes spiritual growth leading to a formal Profession of Faith and sanctification. Holy Communion is participating in the act of eating the bread and drinking the wine that is consecrated by an ordained pastor in remembrance of when Jesus gave Himself up for us and sacrificed His life for all sinners. The spirit of Christ is present in the consecrated bread and wine although these elements are not he actual flesh and blood of Christ. These two sacraments have no power in and of themselves, but they are a powerful means of grace where the participating believers are transformed inwardly by their faith only through the Grace of God. This answer is only a snapshot of the two sacraments. Some Protestants hold that the other five sacraments that Catholics believe in are means of grace acts instead of sacraments,

1. Baptism: Reborn in Christ. Removes Original Sin. Preparation for the other Six Sacraments. 2. Reconciliation: The repentance of Sins and absolution of Sins. 3. Eucharist: Most important Sacrament. Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. 4. Confirmation: Receiving the Holy Spirit of God. 5. Matrimony: Marriage of Man and Woman to become as one. 6. Holy Orders: The calling of God to the Priesthood and Servants of God in the Sister & Brothers Teachers convent and Monks. 7. Anointing of the Sick: Spiritual Healing and forgiveness of sins, which will free a person from anxiety, emotional healing and peace.

The first 4 Sacraments are necessary for eternal salvation of our souls. As Jesus Christ said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise on the last day.” Jn 6, 54-56.

I was grew up with the understanding that the last supper/ cummunion was just to remember what he did that night with the 12. Now for me just going threw the baptism and our first cumuntion as new members of the Catholic Church, I will have to say both were a spiritual awakening. On Thursday night foot washing my own feelings were, how humble I felt and took me back on what I would have done if Jesus washed my feet? All 7!!