18. The         180
sacraments         
of the Church

The Church is a communion of believers where God manifests himself (see com. Mt 16:18). This is why we say that the Church is a sacrament of God (see com. on Mt 18:15). Various rites of the Church, called sacraments, come from Christ and His apostles; they express and make the saving action of God present.

181

Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:5), with the spirit and fire (Mt 3:11); with water along with the word (Eph 5:26) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19) in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16). Baptism for the dead (1 Cor 15:29). Baptism and baptisms (Heb 6:2 and com. on Lk 3:7 and v. 16).

182

The one who believes is baptized (Mk 16:16) to receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism means death to a sinful past (Rom 6:3-9) and entrance into a risen life (Rom 6:4; Col 2:11-12). It is an interior purification (1 P 1:22) through Christ blood (1 P 1:2). It is a new birth from above (Jn 3:7), a birth in the Spirit (Jn 3:6; Col 2:12). The only baptism in the one faith reunites us in a single body (1 Cor 12:13). Baptism introduces us into life “in Christ,” into Christian life (Phil 4:1ff.). See 200.

183

The imposition of the hands to confirm baptism and to confer the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 8:14; 19:6) A rite which cannot be performed by just any minister (Acts 8:14-17). See also Heb 6:2.

184

The power to forgive sins: see com. on Jas 5:16. The baptized person must fear weakening of faith and loss of hope. Without faith and hope there is neither the desire nor the possibility to have sins forgiven again (Lk 13:7-9; Heb 6:4-8; 12:15). This is the kind of sin which leads to death (1 Jn 5:16). The Church may exclude sinners who do not mend their ways (Mt 18:17; 1 Cor 5:11-13), and may ask God to give them a warning through physical punishment (1 Cor 4:4-5; Rev 2:22).

185

The anointing of the sick: practiced by missionaries of Jesus (Lk 10:1) and entrusted to the elders of the Church (James 5:14).

186

The imposition of the hands to consecrate the ministers of the Church (1 Tim 4 :14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6).

187

Matrimony of Christians has its own demands (1 Cor 7:10-12 and com. on 1 Cor 11:2 and 1 P 3:1: it is a sacrament because it is an image and a active realization of Christ’s union with the Church (Eph 5:22-23).

188

The Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20) or the breaking of the bread (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16). See the commentaries on the promise on the promise of the Eucharist (Jn 6:22-58) and its institution (Mk 14:12; 1 Cor 11:23).

189

Some passages of the Old Testament prefigure and clarify the meaning of the sacraments, especially Baptism (Gen 6-7; Ex 12:16; Jos 3; 2 K 5; Is 12:1; 55:1; Zec 13:1; Ezk 47:1), the Eucharist (Ex 12:16; 1 K 19:5; Gen 14:14; Mal 1:11). Matrimony (Gen 1:26; 2:18; Tb 8:4-7; Song).