lutheranorthodox-thesacraments

Lutheran/Orthodox-The Sacraments

Lutheranism

The Sacraments

· The sacraments are God’s means of grace through which God comes to sinful man to forgive sins.

· In Lutheranism there are certainly two, sometimes three, sacraments; Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Holy Absolution. Lutherans have never confessed a certain number of sacraments. The number depends on the definition of “sacrament.”

· We also confess the Spirit’s presence through the sacraments as well as the affirmation of the incarnation through the use of means.

· Baptism is necessary for salvation. “For He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16

Eastern Orthodoxy

The Sacraments

· Orthodoxy prefers to call the sacraments “Mysteries.”

· The sacraments disclose and reveal God to man and also serve to make us receptive to God. All sacraments affect the personal relationship to God and to one another.

· The Holy Spirit works through the sacraments leading us to Christ.

· Orthodoxy does not limit the number of sacraments, though they confess seven, as does Rome. They admit that only two were literally instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The others were instituted by Christ through His apostles and the Church.

· The use of means (water, bread, wine, oil) affirm the incarnation.

Sacraments are necessary for salvation.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 908 W. Main Middleville, MI 49333 +269-795-2391+ goodshepherdlcms@gmail.com