Key Idea: One definition organises this whole topic. A sacrament is an outward sign of a blessing given by God (Protestant) or the actual presence of God (Catholic and Orthodox). Sign or presence. Who presides, how a building is furnished, how fixed the words are — all of it follows.
Tested as
- The Eucharist, baptism and the rites of passage
- Why practice varies between denominations
- The ordained ministry and who may preside
Watch for
- Writing "Christians believe" with no church named
- Saying Protestants have two sacraments — the guide is more precise
- Treating Free church ministry as deficient priesthood
Use
- Eucharist / Mass / the Lord's Supper; chrismation
- Pope or patriarch, bishop, priest, vicar, deacon, pastor, lay minister
- Icons, crucifix, rosary, holy water, reliquaries, vestments
| Rite | Catholic and Orthodox | Much Protestant teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Sacrament | The actual presence of God | An outward sign of a blessing given by God |
| How many | Seven | Acknowledge all seven but emphasize only a few or even none |
| Baptism | Infant baptism; chrismation with baptism in Orthodoxy | Infant baptism or dedication, or believer's baptism |
| Eucharist | Requires an ordained priest; the centre of the week | Remembrance and reception; a pastor or lay minister may preside |
| Ministers | Pope or patriarch, bishop, priest, deacon | Pastor, lay minister — a congregation may call its own |
| Worship | Liturgical: Mass or Divine Liturgy | Non-liturgical and charismatic worship |
"Other denominations acknowledge all seven but emphasize only a few or even none." That is more accurate than "Protestants have two sacraments", and in an exam that credits precision the difference is worth a mark. It also stops an answer implying that one arrangement is a reduced version of another.
Examine what a church building tells you about its doctrine.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Discuss the importance of confirmation in Christian practice.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Give the guide's two definitions of a sacrament. An outward sign of a blessing given by God (Protestant), or the actual presence of God (Catholic and Orthodox). Most of the differences in this topic follow.
List the seven sacraments. Baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist or Communion, confirmation or chrismation, holy orders, marriage, and the anointing of the sick.
What is the precise position of other denominations? They acknowledge all seven but emphasize only a few or even none — which is more accurate than saying they have two.
What is chrismation? Anointment with holy oil to confirm entrance into the Christian Church — the Orthodox form of confirmation, administered with baptism.
Exam tips
- Name the church. "Christians believe" is unmarkable in this unit.
- Sign or presence is the definition that organises everything. Quote it early.
- Use an artifact as evidence — an icon, a crucifix, a pulpit's position.
- Say "acknowledge all seven but emphasize few or none" rather than "have two".