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Home , Penance, Sacramental

Anglican Province of America

WHAT IS ? August 7, 2019

Class 5 ‒ Anglicanism & the (Part 2)

ANGLICANISM AND THE MINOR SACRAMENTS Anglicans believe in the Sacraments.

Sacramental Principle Review 1. Locus Classicus - (BCP pg. 581) Question. What do you mean by this word ? Answer. A Sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us; ordained by himself, as a means whereby we receive this grace, and a pledge to assure us thereof. 2. In Lesson 3 we discussed Man being both a physical and spiritual being (i.e., he is composed of both a Body and Soul). The Body influences the soul and vice versa A. Think about the position of the body affecting the soul. If you are on the couch, do you feel like doing your prayers? B. Spiritual state affects the body’s function (i.e., “Doctor, he lost the will to live”) C. God condescends to communicate with us in ways that correspond with our human nature

What are Sacraments? 1. Sacraments are God's way of providing for his . They are a means by which the Shepherd feeds his lambs 2. Two Parts - the outward visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace. 3. Administration - need proper: matter, form, minister, intent, object 4. “Given unto us” - God works the sacrament, it is not a work of man A. Not an incantation (i.e., not magic) - "hoc est corpus” B. Sacraments are objective, not subjective i. They do not depend on the receiver's faith to be effectual (Faith itself is a gift from God as well; Eph. 2:8): ii. Based on the promises of God and empowered (or effected) by the Holy Ghost

How many Sacraments? 1. 2 Dominical (Major) Sacraments and 5 Minor Sacraments A. Dominical - and the Holy Communion (meaning ordained by Christ himself) B. Minor - , Penance, Holy Matrimony, , Unction 2. BCP Catechism - "Two only, as generally necessary to ; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord." 3. "Generally necessary to Salvation" A. Generally - means for all ; Everyone from the highest to the lowest layman must be baptized and communed to be saved. B. Necessary - a requirement; the grace given in those sacraments is necessary for our salvation Anglicans believe in the Minor Sacraments.

The Minor Sacraments are Biblical 1. “Minor” - “Not because they are unimportant, but because they are not required of all mankind for the sake of salvation” like the Dominical Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.1 2. While the minor sacraments are not given by the direct commandment of Christ, they all have biblical warrant and are rooted in Apostolic practice and the discipline of the Church. They obviously come from Christ teaching the Apostles and modeling ministry for them. 3. While not “generally necessary” for salvation (i.e. not directly affecting salvation), God does give needful graces for the Christian life in these sacraments (they indirectly affect salvation), and all Christians are obligated to participate in (some of) them for their soul’s health. 4. You could live your life in such a way where you never see a doctor when you’re sick, but that doesn’t mean you should. 5. Each of these minor sacraments have life in Anglican spirituality and are present in the

Confirmation 1. The sacrament by which you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in order to keep your bounden duty (BCP 291). “The Holy Ghost takes possession of you as his own peculiar creature”2 2. Administration: Bishop (minister), unconfirmed baptized Christian (object), Laying on of Hands (matter), a prayer for the confirmand to receive the Holy Ghost (form), with the intent that the Christian receive the Holy Ghost after the example of the Apostles (intent). 3. Biblical Warrant: Eph.1:13-14, Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17 - Apostolic tradition is that the laying on of hands to receive the is important and even vital! 4. “Confirm” means to strengthen or seal; idea of being “signed, sealed, delivered” 5. Happens only once. Anglicans will never re-confirm someone who has received the sacrament validly. 6. Not a mere renewal of baptismal vows. You receive the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost (Isa. 11:2-3): wisdom (to understand reality as God does; desire for spiritual and higher things), understanding (comprehension of spiritual things), counsel (right judgment; knowing good and evil), fortitude (courage), knowledge (understand the meaning of spiritual things, Piety (reverence and respect for holy things), fear of the Lord (awe of God’s glory) 7. Intimately connected with Baptism; “Baptism for Life, Confirmation for Strife;” fulness of the gifts of the Holy Ghost and made ready to receive the Holy Communion. 8. Baptism for purification and life (i.e., remission of sins and union with Christ) in that the makes us fit Temples. Confirmation in that he comes and takes possession of that Temple.

Penance 1. The sacrament by which post-baptismal sins are forgiven. Medicine for the soul. 2. Administration: Priest or Bishop (minister), a repentant baptized Christian (object), Spoken of sins and (matter), “I absolve thee” (Form), and the intention of loosing someone from their sins and its power and repentance. 3. Biblical Warrant: St. Matthew 9:2-8, St. John 20:21-23, St. James 5:14-17, Leviticus 4:1-4 A. In the OT a new sin offering is brought each time. In the NT priests absolve based on the merits of Christ’s “one oblation of himself once offered.” B. Apostolic authority to remit sins (BCP 546); “ministry of reconciliation” (BCP 260); Christian priesthood is a ministerial priesthood of Christ himself. Your priest shares in Christ’s priesthood. C. Christ of infinite merit 4. Anglicans think very highly of confession! We do it corporately in the Offices and the Holy Communion 5. Anglican philosophy concerning auricular confession “All may, some should, none must”... Fr. Oldfield’s addendum “most (~99.99% ought)”

1 Tarsitano, Louis R., An Outline of an Anglican Life, 39. 2 Hall, A.C.A, Confirmation, 47 6. Repentance - to turn away from sin and back towards God A. - godly sorrow for sin B. Confession - to “own” your sin; admit fault C. Penance - fruits of the repentant life; not a transaction of God with grace. What did Zacchaeus do when he repented of his sins? (St. Luke 19) 7. Confession without true repentance leads to condemnation 8. Mortal and venial sins (1 St. John 5:16-17) A. Mortal - sins that kill the soul (Num. 15:28-36) i. Grave matter - 10 Commandments, something instrinsically evil ii. Full knowledge - A person must know what they are doing is actually evil iii. Deliberate Consent - willing to offend God B. Venial - unintentional, accidental; does wound the soul, but does not cut off 9. Habitual sin hardens the heart against repentance. The grace of Penance is to overcome human inclinations and hardness. 10. Anglicanism and Auricular Confession - advantages! Confession and spiritual direction for cultivating holiness. Make confession a regular habit; a part of the “rule for life;” 11. BCP is pastoral. 87-88 to “quiet conscience”; 313 - special confession of sin for the sick 12. Auricular confession is absolutely private. Priests cannot be forced to divulge what they have heard, nor even to adjust their lives based on what they heard! I can never talk about someone’s sins ever unless the penitent specifically brings it up. Also pastoral in that confessed sin is mortifyed sin (“Go in peace, the Lord hath put away all thy sins”). To continue to dwell on confessed sins is in itself sin!

Holy Orders 1. The sacrament “by which a member of Christ’s mystical Body is advanced to one or other of the orders of sacred ministry which God has constituted for it, and receives the grace which is required for the due performance of its functions.”3 Three-fold office of Bishop/Priest/Deacon 2. Administration: Bishop (minister), a baptized confirmed male who has not been ordained to the order to which he is to be ordained (object), Spoken word with Laying on of hands (matter), Laying on of hands (with oil) with prayers to make a bishop/priest/deacon (form), and the intention of making someone one of the orders for the “ministry of reconciliation”. 3. Biblical Warrant: St. John 20:21-23, Acts 6, Titus 1, 1 Tim. 4:14, 5:22, 2 Tim. 1:6 4. Necessary for salvation, but not generally so. How? You need the Holy Communion for salvation. How do you receive it? Via a Priest or a Bishop. 5. The Old Covenant prefigured and prepared us for the . Levites/Priests/High Priest corresponds to Deacons/Priests/ 6. Ministry of Reconciliation is perpetuated by this sacrament! 7. Ancient pedigree; St. Ignatius of Antioch’s letters show the constitution of the Church made up of the three-fold office since the earliest time. 8. All bishops share the fullness of the Apostolic ministry - Perform all sacraments/perpetuate the ministry of the Church. The prestige or authority of Bishops is something that is organizational and traditional not ontological. Bp. Grundorf and Pope Francis do the same things sacramentally and have the same authority.

Holy Matrimony 1. The sacrament which joins a man and a woman in a lifelong covenantal union for the purposes of procreation, upbringing of children, and domestic life; reflects Christ and the Church (Eph. 5); 2. Administration: Someone in Holy Orders (minister), two baptized unmarried persons of the opposite sex (object), Exchange of vows/joining of hands (matter), form (See BCP 300), and the intention to become one flesh in covenantal union. 3. Biblical Warrant: St. Matthew 19: Eph. 5, Gen 1 & 2 3 Hall, F.J., Dogmatic Theology Vol. 9 The Sacraments,246. 4. Not contractual (or legal) but covenantal 5. Cannot be coerced and it cannot be secret; Think about Rebekah in Gen. 24. 6. Cannot be confected between members of the same sex, or persons of close blood relation. All of these accord with God’s commandments in Holy Scripture 7. Generally available to all Christians, but not necessary to enact (monks and nuns living in chastity) 8. Christians should only marry other Christians as that the end of marriage can only then be rightly appertained. 9. Natural, civil, and sacramental marriage - sacramental meaning the marriage is consecrated and protected to its supernatural end.4 (see the 1662 BCP); need lawful marriage and baptized people!

EARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join Dtogether this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

Holy Unction 1. The sacrament for the healing of the sick by the laying on hands and anointing with oil 2. Administration: A Deacon (if licensed)/Priest/Bishop (minister), a baptized repentant person (object), Laying on of Hands or Oil (matter), appropriate prayers for healing, the defeat of the Devil, and of sins (form), and the intention healing in the name of Christ. 3. Biblical Warrant: St. James 5:14-15 4. BCP 320

4 Hall, F.J., Dogmatic Theology Vol. 9 The Sacraments,272.