Sacred rites, especially those of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
1
vote
2answers
93 views
What difference does baptism make when it comes to marriage?
Here is a hypothetical example of what may be a very common situation.
Bill and Martha have been seeing each other for four years. Both were raised in Catholic families, but were not baptized. They ...
12
votes
1answer
68 views
Is the marital act of consumating marriage part of Sacred Tradition in the Catholic Church?
How far back does the idea of consummating a marriage go?
Is it tied to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony? Is it like going to confession, but not fully receiving the sacrament of reconciliation ...
7
votes
1answer
104 views
Why do LDS use water and leavened bread in communion when the Jews used wine and unleavened bread?
I recently read somewhere that in the LDS observance of communion, water and leavened bread is used. The practice of communion comes from the Jewish Passover ceremony where wine and unleavened bread ...
8
votes
2answers
240 views
Does the priest have the power to forgive sins?
John 20:22-23 (KJV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
What is the basis for the Catholic practice of only the priest drinking from the common cup during communion?
I've heard from a number of people that in most Catholic churches, only the priest drinks from the common cup in communion. Is this true?
Assuming it is true, what is the basis for this teaching?
4
votes
2answers
110 views
Why did foot washing become a common practice in Christianity?
I am aware that some, but certainly not all, Protestant denominations employ the practice of foot washing in their services. I understand that this is based on John 13, where Jesus washes the feet of ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
If I die before I can confess my sins, can I just confess them to God in Heaven?
When packing for a trip, sometimes we forget something small: a toothbrush, shaving cream, or socks. In order to compensate, we simply make a quick pit stop at a nearby convenience or department store ...
4
votes
2answers
101 views
In what order were the Sacraments added?
In his book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer has this phrase:
'The sacraments' were first two, then three, then four, until with the triumph of Romanism they were fixed at seven.
What were these ...
0
votes
3answers
170 views
Did all disciples of Christ's apostles consider priesthood a sacrament?
Is it true that all the disciples of Christ's apostles (including Paul) considered (in their writings of the 1st and 2nd centuries) the priesthood one of the sacraments?
-1
votes
2answers
336 views
What's the Protestants' view on the purpose of sacraments?
Once an orthodox priest told me that Protestants themselves don't know what they need the sacraments for. He said that since they deny the doctrine of transubstantiation and have separated themselves ...
3
votes
3answers
252 views
Martin Luther's Sacramentology
I was reading Luther's Larger Catechism, and I came upon the section where he discusses the sacraments. I must confess, as a Baptist with a profound respect for Luther, some of these concepts are very ...
8
votes
2answers
904 views
Which Bible verses support adult-only baptism?
I am a Reformed Presbyterian and it seems that for most people I run into, baptism for 'adults' after confession of faith only is the default position. I always find myself fighting an uphill battle ...
4
votes
6answers
490 views
Is it valid to use grape juice at Communion?
Given that wine was used by Christ at the last supper. It is valid to use grape juice in the remembrance of the Lord's Table?
5
votes
1answer
64 views
What biblical and historical support is there for the practice of child communion.
About seven years ago my wife and I (who are childless) left our old church and set out to find the best church we could in the area. We ended up in a church that practices paedo (child) communion. ...
6
votes
2answers
238 views
What is the sacramental principle at work with Anointing of the Sick?
Of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. I see how each of them are some form of Sacramentum, an oath between man and God.
Marriage has a marital vow
Holy orders is a vow to be a priest, ...
6
votes
1answer
509 views
What are the protestant arguments against a sacramental economy?
Given that all the 7 sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation) are each explicitly mentioned in the Bible as commands put forth ...
2
votes
4answers
600 views
On what grounds does the Catholic church reject sacraments of protestant denominations?
While there is a wide range of opinion among adult-baptism protestants as to whether a Catholic (or other infant) baptism is or can be considered valid, there seems to be (at least in my experience) a ...
5
votes
1answer
162 views
Does ex opere operato apply to infants?
"Ex opere operato" says that a person must have the proper disposition and desire in order to receive graces through sacraments (correct me if I'm over simplifying this).
Does this not apply to ...
5
votes
1answer
67 views
What are the ordinances Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 11:2?
What are the ordinances Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 11:2?
1 Corinthians 11:2 (KJV)
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Why is bread and wine used to represent the body and blood of Christ?
I don't know about other churches, but in the Catholic church you have communion, in which you receive the body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine. Why was bread and wine chosen to ...
7
votes
3answers
240 views
Concerning fasting, and the Communion
Now, once, I was fasting. I was destined to fast for three weeks. Now the church that I went to had Communion once every month, and it happened that my second last Sunday of fasting was my church's ...
