FACTFILE:

GCSE
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

TOPIC 4 – SACRAMENTS AND ORDINANCES / SACRAMENTS IN

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Learning outcomes:
Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of, and critically evaluate:

Topic Unit 1 Unit 2a Unit 2b

The Christian Focus on the Focus on the
Church Catholic Church Protestant
Church

Baptism in the
Catholic Church ✓ ✓ ✗
Baptism in ONE
Protestant Church ✓ ✗ ✗
Baptism in
TWO Protestant
denominations
✗ ✗ ✓
Communion in the
Catholic Church ✓ ✗ ✗
Communion in ONE
Protestant Church ✓ ✗ ✗
Communion in
TWO Protestant
denominations
✗ ✗ ✓
Confirmation
✗ ✓ ✓

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FACTFILE: RELIGIOUS
GCE HISTORY STUDIES
OF ART / ARCHITECTURE

Reconciliation in the
Catholic Church ✗ ✓ ✗
Anointing of the Sick
in the Catholic Church ✗ ✓ ✗
Sacraments and ordinances
A sacrament is a religious ceremony or ritual that brings God’s grace or love to the recipient. There are
seven sacraments within the Roman Catholic tradition while two sacraments are celebrated by some
Protestant denominations.

For some Protestants, the words sacrament and ordinance are synonymous, both words are used to mean
the same thing. However, other Protestants such as Baptists believe there is a distinction, and they don’t use
the word sacrament. For them, baptism and communion are not sacraments but are symbolic events that
don’t bring God’s saving grace. They prefer the word ordinance to refer to what they consider to be a ‘God
ordained ceremony.’

Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament or ordinance that unites all Christian denominations. It is an important event for
Christians as it connects them to Jesus. In the New Testament Jesus was baptised before he began his public
ministry. Jesus also instructed the apostles to baptise people they had converted to Christianity:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19

© Getty images

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FACTFILE: RELIGIOUS
GCE HISTORY STUDIES
OF ART / ARCHITECTURE

Baptism in the Catholic Church

[Assessed in Unit 1 and 2a only]

The ceremony of Baptism in the Catholic Church

Catholics normally baptise infants when they are a few weeks old. The baptism ceremony follows the
structure outlined below.
• The priest welcomes the baby, the parents and godparents to the church.
• There are scripture readings from the Bible.
• The parents tell the priest the child’s name and the priest outlines the responsibilities of the parents and
godparents.
• The parents and godparents then take vows to renounce Satan. They profess their faith and the faith they
want their child to be brought up in. The baptismal vows are made on behalf of the child.
• The priest will baptise the child by pouring water over the child’s head three times saying, “I baptise you in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• The child is anointed with the oil of Chrism and a candle is lit and given to someone from the child’s
family, usually the godparents.
• A white garment is placed on the child.
• Someone from the child’s family lights the child’s baptismal candle from the Easter candle as the parents
and godparents are entrusted to keep the flame of faith alive in the baby’s life.

Symbolism and meaning of Baptism in the Catholic Church

The main symbols used in the baptism of a child are:
1. Water is used to cleanse the child from original sin, the sin that was brought into the world when Adam
and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
2. The white garment is an outward sign of purity and the child being clothed by Christ.
3. Oil of Chrism represents salvation through Christ. As a new member of the Church, the child will share
everlasting life.
4. A baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal candle to represent Jesus as the light of the world.

Baptism is important for Catholics because:

• Through infant baptism a person can experience God’s love and become a member of the Christian Church
from a young age.
• Baptism removes original sin, the sin that was brought into the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God
in the Garden of Eden.
• Baptism allows a person to follow the example of Jesus.
• It is necessary for a person to be baptised before they can receive the other sacraments.
• Baptism gives Christians the grace and fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Baptism in one Protestant Church

[Assessed in Unit 1 and 2b only]

Baptism formally welcomes a person into the Christian community. There are two types of baptism. Many
Protestant denominations practice infant baptism e.g. the Church of Ireland, Methodists and Presbyterians.
However, other denominations such as Baptist Churches practice adult or believer’s baptism. Believer’s
baptism fully immerses the candidate in the water, rather than pouring water over the person’s head.

Infant Baptism – The Church of Ireland

• At the baptism of infants, parents and godparents are required to make promises on behalf of the child and
to undertake to encourage them in the life and faith of the Christian Community. As they are answering on
behalf of the child, they must also affirm their own Christian faith.
• Those being presented for baptism will then have water poured on their head and the words “I baptise you
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” are said.
• The sign of the cross is made on the forehead and the minister says ‘Christ claims you for his own. Receive
the sign of the cross. Live as a disciple of Christ’.
• A lighted candle may be presented with the words ‘You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light
all the days of your life. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father’.

Baptism in a second Protestant denomination

[Assessed in Unit 2b only]

Adult Baptism – The Baptist Church

• The service begins with a scripture reading and time is devoted to worship through singing.
• The candidate will publicly confess their faith in God and outline the reasons why they want to be
baptised.
• The pastor will give a sermon explaining the importance of baptism.
• Following this, the candidates are prayed for and are asked question about accepting Jesus as their
Saviour and turning away from sin.
• After they respond ‘I do’ to the questions they go into the water to be baptised. A song is sung to conclude
the service. © Getty images

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Symbolism and meaning of Baptism in a Protestant Church

The main symbols used in the baptism are:
1. Water washes away sin or events from the past and provides an opportunity for a new life in Christ. Water
declares God’s presence in the life of the candidates.
2. The white garment is worn to symbolise the purity baptism brings.
3. The sign of the cross is made on the forehead as a visible sign of belonging to Christ.
4. A lighted candle can be used to represent the light of Christ being present at the beginning of the person’s
life as a Christian.

Baptism is important for Christians because:

• Through baptism a person becomes a member of the Christian Church – it is a sacrament / ordinance that
unifies all Christians.
• Baptism allows a person to follow the example of Jesus.
• Baptism enables a person to begin a new life with God and to be cleansed from sin.
• It is necessary for a person to be baptised before they can be confirmed and receive Holy Communion.
• Baptism gives Christians the grace and fullness of the Holy Spirit.
• Baptism allows a believer to make a public declaration of their faith.

Do you think babies should be baptised?

YES NO

Infant baptism brings the child into the faith They are not old enough to understand what is
community from a young age and brings God’s happening. Baptism is more meaningful when it
grace and goodness. Children shouldn’t be is a personal choice or decision.
excluded from this.

Some Christians believe that baptism is necessary Jesus was baptised as an adult and Christians
to remove original sin. should follow this example and on baptise adults.

It is important to baptise babies so they can Elsewhere in the New Testament Believer’s
receive other sacraments as they grow older e.g. Baptism is the only kind of baptism – there was
communion. no tradition of infant baptism in the first century
Church.

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© Getty images
Communion
The celebration of communion goes back to the Last Supper when Jesus broke bread with his disciples at the
Last Supper before he was crucified.

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you … And he took bread, gave
thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of
me.”
Luke 22:17-19

Communion in the Catholic Church

[Assessed in Unit 1 only]

The Communion Ceremony in the Catholic Church

• People recall their sins and express sorrow for their sins in the Penitential rite.
• In the Liturgy of the Word the priest or a member of the congregation will read from the Bible. The priest
will then read the Gospel and will use a homily / sermon to explain the relevance of the Gospel to the lives
of the congregation.
• The Creed is said and is followed by the Prayers of the Faithful.
• The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the central part of the Mass – the priest will consecrate the bread and wine
and they become the body and blood of Christ.
• The Our Father is said and after further prayers, the congregation will go to the altar to receive the
consecrated elements.
• The priest ends the Mass by instructing the congregation to go in peace ‘to love and serve the Lord.’

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Symbolism and meaning of Communion in the Catholic Church

The celebration of the Eucharist is important for Catholics for several reasons:
• For Catholics, Jesus is really present in the Eucharist – through transubstantiation the bread and wine
become the Body and Blood of Christ. Catholics believe the Eucharist is the ‘food of eternal life.’
• Celebrating the Eucharist recalls Jesus’ Last Supper and sacrifice on the cross and is a way of giving thanks
for this.
• Communion creates a sense of community and fellowship because everyone receives it.
• Catholics are following Jesus’ instruction to ‘Do this in memory of me.’
• Receiving communion is a public declaration of following Christ and allows Catholics to renew their
commitment to Jesus.

Communion in one Protestant Church

[Assessed in Unit 1 and 2b only]

The Communion Ceremony in the Church of Ireland

• The rector says a preparation prayer, followed by a hymn of praise.
• A member of the congregation will read from the Bible and the rector will give the sermon.
• The congregation recites the Apostles’ Creed which is followed by prayers.
• The bread and wine are taken to the altar and the rector blesses them saying “The bread which we break is
a sharing in the body of Christ.”
• The people come forward and receive the bread and wine.
• There is a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment to serve Christ.
• The service ends with a blessing “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Communion in a second Protestant denomination

[Assessed in Unit 2b only]

The Communion Ceremony in the Baptist Church

• There is a short period of reflection after the morning service has ended. People think about the
communion service they are about to participate in.
• The pastor will invite everyone to share in an informal time of worship e.g. a hymn for everyone to sing
together. A member of the congregation may choose a Bible reading or prayer.
• Someone will say a prayer of thanks for the bread and the bread will be passes around so that everyone
can take a piece. When everyone has been served, they will eat their bread at the same time.
• The same procedure is carried out for the wine.
• There is a period of quite reflection.
• Finally, the pastor prays and gives a word of blessing.

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COMMUNION IN OTHER CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS

The Methodist • Holy Communion takes place after the Bible readings and sermon.
Church • The congregation will say the Creed together.
• Cloths are removed from the bread and wine which will already be on the
communion table and the congregation will say a prayer of thanksgiving.
• The minister takes the bread, breaks it and invites the congregation to
come forward and receive the bread and wine.
• People kneel and receive the elements from the minister and stewards and
then return to their seats.
• The minister ends the service with a prayer, a hymn and a blessing.

The Presbyterian • The minister begins the service with a prayer and reads an appropriate
Church passage from the New Testament.
• The minister then stands in front of the communion table and prays a
blessing on the bread and wine.
• The bread and non-alcoholic wine are distributed to the congregation by
elders who pass them round the pews.
• The minister says a prayer of thanksgiving, everyone stands to sing a
hymn and there is a final blessing.

Symbolism and meaning of Communion in a Protestant Church

The celebration of the Eucharist is important in Protestant churches for several reasons:
• It recalls Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and is a way of giving thanks for this.
• Communion creates a sense of community and fellowship because everyone receives it.
• Christians are following Jesus’ instruction to ‘Do this in memory of me.’
• Receiving communion is a public declaration of following Christ and allows Christians to renew their
commitment to Jesus.

© Getty images

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GCE HISTORY STUDIES
OF ART / ARCHITECTURE

© Getty images
Confirmation in the Catholic Church
[Assessed in unit 2a only]

Confirmation is the final sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church and usually takes place around the
age of eleven. It is an opportunity for the young person to confirm the promises made on their behalf by
their parents and godparents at baptism.

The Confirmation Ceremony in the Catholic Church

• Confirmation is usually administered by the bishop. The ceremony takes place during the Mass, after the
Gospel reading and before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
• The bishop explains the meaning of confirmation and asks those about to be confirmed to renew their
baptismal vows.
• The bishop prays and asks God to send the Holy Spirit to guide those waiting to be confirmed. The bishop
raises his hands over those to be confirmed saying “Send down your Holy Spirit as helper and guide.”
• Each candidate comes forward to be anointed by the bishop with the oil of chrism. The bishop will read
the candidate’s confirmation name out. He then uses the oil to make the sign of the cross on the person’s
forehead as he says “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
• The Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and a final blessing is given before the congregation
is dismissed.

Symbolism and meaning of Confirmation in the Catholic Church

The main symbols used during a confirmation ceremony are:
• Laying of Hands is a way of calling the Holy Spirit from the time of the Early Church. This is a sign that
the person has been set apart for a special task and that the Holy Spirit will give them power and strength.
• The anointing with Chrism is a symbol of healing and strengthening. It will help the candidate to meet
the challenges of adult Christian life.
• Taking a confirmation name is also symbolic of the person being set aside to carry out a special task
and to be called forward by God to be a witness to Christ. The person will take the name of a saint who has
inspired them or whose virtues they want to imitate throughout the rest of their lives.

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© Getty images
Confirmation and church membership in a Protestant church
[Assessed in unit 2b only]

Some Protestants believe that when a child grows up, they must make a personal commitment to their faith
in Jesus and at confirmation they make the promises their parents made for them at baptism. When they
have done this, they have full membership of the Church which enables them to participate in communion.
Confirmation also allows the person to be confirmed by the Holy Spirit and gives them the strength needed
to live a Christian life.

Confirmation in the Church of Ireland

• The candidates renew their baptismal vows before the bishop; and as in baptism, the congregation is asked
to support the candidates in their life of faith. The bishop then asks each candidate by name, ‘Do you …
believe and accept the Christian faith into which you are baptized?
• The candidates then affirm their faith, together with the congregation, in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
After this, they kneel before the bishop, who lays hands on each one, praying, ‘Confirm … O Lord, with your
heavenly grace, that he/she may continue to be yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more
and more until he/she comes to your eternal kingdom. Amen.’

Sometimes a Christian will want to belong to a different denomination from the one they were brought up
in. Most denominations will have a service of reception to welcome new members into their church. The new
member will accept the teachings of the new denomination and have a form of confirmation.

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© Getty images
The meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
[Assessed in Unit 2a only]

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as confession) is important for Catholics for several reasons.
Catholics believe that baptism removed original sin. However, people are not perfect and will continue to
commit sin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives Catholics an opportunity to confess their sins and to turn
back to God.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SACRAMENT? MEANING / IMPORTANCE

The penitent examines their conscience. The sacrament gives people the opportunity to
reflect on their human weakness and to strive to
become better.

They go to the priest who welcomes the penitent The sacrament makes Christ’s death on the cross
and shares a short excerpt from scripture on the more meaningful and significant for the penitent.
theme of forgiveness.

The penitent will confess their sins to the priest. The person can be reconciled with God and others
The priest will offer advice and give a penance. by asking for forgiveness.

The Act of Contrition is said by the penitent to By saying sorry, the penitent has the opportunity
show that they are sorry for their sins. to make a fresh start.

The priest absolves the person’s sins and says the The penitent has been cleansed of sin and is
prayer of absolution. reminded that God is loving and forgiving.

There is a final blessing and the sign of the cross The person is now ready to receive other
is made. sacraments within the Church.

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The meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

[Assessed in Unit 2a only]

The Sacrament of Anointing the Sick can

be received when a person is seriously ill
or before serious surgery. It can also be
received by elderly people because of their
weakness and vulnerability. Sick children can
be comforted by the sacrament, and it can be
administered to someone who is unconscious
and who would have asked for the sacrament
if they could.

© Getty images
The sacrament is intended to give the sick
person spiritual and physical strength and
shows care towards the sick which reflects
the teaching from the letter of James in the
New Testament:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with
oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise
them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15

The symbols used in the sacrament are as follows:

• Blessing with holy water – this is a reminder that the baptised person was called to follow Christ. Now
through suffering, they are sharing in Jesus’ death.
• The laying of hands – this is a symbol of the giving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can give the person
the strength to come to terms with the illness, suffering and death.
• Anointing with oil – the person is anointed on the forehead and hands as the priest says “through this
holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

TASKS
Answer the following questions:

1. Describe the ceremony of infant baptism in a denomination of your choice.

2. Why is baptism an important event for Christians today?

3. Do you think babies should be baptised? Give reasons for your answer.

4. Outline a Sunday Service in a tradition of your choice.

5. Explain why the Eucharist / Communion is an important for Christians today.

6. “There is more to being a good Christian than celebrating the sacraments.” Do you agree with this
statement? Give reasons for your answer.

© CCEA 2022