THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS INSTITUTED BY JESUS CHRIST

THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS INSTITUTED BY JESUS CHRIST Sacraments are essential elements of the New Covenant Law, revealed in visible signs that were instituted by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul.
Sacrament	Scripture Reference	Catechism Reference
1. Baptism: the sacrament by which a person, whether a baby, child, or adult, receives an indelible spiritual mark, is cleansed of all sin and is reborn into the family of God, being sanctified by Christ to everlasting life by means of the sign of water and the action of the Holy Spirit.	Of Jesus: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-33 Necessity of Christian baptism: Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4-8; Luke 3:16; John 3:1-21; Acts 2:38; 11:15-17; 19:1-7; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:25-28; Colossians 2:12-13	Significance of Baptism: CCC 628, 950, 1213-14, 1220, 1227-28, 1234-45, 1262, 1272-74, 1617 Baptism of infants: CCC 403, 1231, 1233, 1250-52, 1282, 1290 Baptism of adults: CCC 1247-49 Baptismal promises: CCC 1185, 1254, 2101, 2340
2. Confirmation: through the laying on of hands, anointing with chrism (oil), and prayer a person's baptism is confirmed (completion of baptismal grace) and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit to publically profess the faith and live up to the role of Christ's apostle.	Matthew 3:13-17 John 1:33-34 Acts 8:14-17; 10:38	CCC 1285-1321 Effects of Confirmation: CCC 1302-05 Who can receive: CCC 1306-11 Minister of Confirmation: CCC 1312-14
3. Reconciliation/Penance: the sacrament of spiritual healing in which, through certain acts of the penitent and by the absolution of a qualified priest, sins committed after baptism are remitted and fellowship with God is restored.	Matthew 16:19; 18:18 John 20:22-23	CCC 1422-1498 Names of the sacrament: CCC 1423-24 Necessity of interior penance: CCC 1430-39 Why Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to the Church: CCC 1441-49 Effects: CCC 1468-71
4. Holy Orders: the sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ continues to be exercised in His Church. This sacrament confers on a man the power of consecrating the offering of the Body and Blood of Christ and of remitting and retaining sins.	Matthew 16:19; 18:18 John 13:3-15 John 19:22-23 Acts 1:15-26	CCC 1113, 1120, 1142, 1210, 1536-1600 Holy Orders in the Economy of Salvation: CCC 1539-71 Effects of Holy Orders: CCC 1581-1600
5. Matrimony: the sacramental binding covenant between a baptized man and woman in which they agree to eternal fidelity to each other and commit to being God's partners in the creation of new life.	John 2:1-12	CCC 1601-1666 In the order of Creation: CCC 1601-05 Marriage in the Lord: CCC 1612-17 Unity and indissolubility of marriage: CCC 1644-51 Partners in God's plan for humanity: CCC 1652-54
6. Anointing of the sick: the sacrament in which the sick are anointed with holy oil and given the spiritual aid and strength to return to spiritual and bodily health, including, if needed, the remission of sins.	Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 6:13; Luke 9:11; Acts 10:38; James 5:14-15	CCC 1499-1532 Foundation in the economy of salvation: CCC 1500-13 Who administers and receives: CCC 1514-16 How celebrated and administered: CCC 1517-19 Effects: CCC 1520-23
7. Eucharist: the sacrament in which the faithful, in a state of grace, receive the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine. It is called the Eucharist, meaning "the thanksgiving," because at its institution at the Last Supper Jesus "gave thanks;" and it is by this fact that the sacrament is the supreme act of the baptized Christian's gratitude to God.	Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25	CCC 1322-1419 Institution of the Eucharist: CCC 1337-44 The source and summit of ecclesial life: CCC 1324-27 The sacrificial memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection and of His Body, the Church: CCC 1330-32; 1362-81
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2010 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.

The sacraments of Christian initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist (CCC 1212).
The Eucharist is the "sacrament of sacraments"-"all other sacraments are ordered to it as their end" (CCC 1211).
The seven sacraments touch all the stages of Christian life. They are the source of spiritual life and there is a certain resemblance to the stages of natural life: the sacraments give birth, contribute to spiritual growth, and promote health (spiritual and physical). They advance the Christian's mission to fulfill the Great Commission Christ gave His Church (Mt 28:19-20), and they prepare the Christian at the end of his life's journey to cross over from physical life to eternal life.