A Sacramental Church
The Church of the East (The St. Thomas Christians) recognizes and practices Seven Sacraments as channels of God's grace by which we share in the Divine Life of God himself for our salvation. The New Testament records either the institution by our Lord, or the practice by the Apostles, of every Sacrament except Matrimony. This was created a Sacrament by the presence of Christ our Lord at the wedding at Cana.
Baptism makes one a Christian, and through this Sacrament we begin a new life in God, becoming his children and members of his body (Matthew 28:19, John 3:5).
Chrismation (called Confirmation in the Western churches), gives a new life by the gift of the holy Spirit. In this Sacrament, we are annointed with sacred chrism (oil consecrated by a bishop) and become one of the priesthood of all believers (Acts 8:14-17).
Absolution (Confession/Penance) reclaims those who have fallen from grace after Baptism, and through which our sins are forgiven. Although confession and penance are derived by the communion of God and the penitent, absolution cannot be received unless the heart is cleansed from sin (Matthew 16:19, 18:18).
Eucharist (Holy Communion) unites our individualities with God as the human and divine natures were prefiguaratively united by the Incarnation. In this Sacrament, we spiritually partake of the real presence of Christ's Body and Blood for the nourishment of our soul, our bodies, and for eternal life (Matthew 26:26-29).
Holy Orders (Ordination) are the means whereby the Church conducts its work. In this Sacrament the grace of God descends through the laying-on of hands of an Apostolic Bishop upon the one being set apart. This rite is recorded several times in Scripture and, as practiced by the Church of the East, has provided an uninterrupted succession from the very ministry of the Apostles (John 15:16, 2 Timothy 1:6).
Holy Unction is clearly referred to as in practice by the Apostles during our Lord's own ministry. Certainly it would not have been practiced except by his ordinance. In this Sacrament we receive prayers and annointing with blessed oil for the healing of infirmities of both the soul and the body (Mark 6:13, James 5:14).
Marriage is the Sacrament which joins two people in a Holy Union before God. As Christ, by his presence, blessed the marriage in Cana, he also blessed that of whose who are members of his Church (John 4).
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