What are considered sacraments of the United Methodist Church?

Answer 1

The Two Holy Sacraments of the United Methodist Church: 1. Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) 2. Holy Baptism ==Rites of the UMC== Confession, Last Rites, Holy Matrimony, Penance, and Confirmation (other Catholic sacraments) are not considered Sacraments by the UMC but are considered Holy Rites.

Answer 2

Christianity is a religion, of which Methodism is a tradition.

The United Methodist Church recognizes two Sacraments: Baptism and The Lord's Supper.

Only clergypersons are authorized to perform the Sacraments.

Baptism

Briefly, United Methodism believes that both infants and adults can be Baptized. The method used to Baptize can be by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Baptism is a one-time thing. Baptisms from other Christian denominations are accepted without re-Baptism. Re-Baptism is not allowed. Baptism is a Sacrament - a sign-act. As such, it is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

Theologically, much goes on in Baptism. God is present. God's grace (freely given love) is imparted to the individual. The individual is welcomed into the Body of Christ, the church.

The United Methodist Church's official statement on Baptism is called "By Water and The Spirit," which can be found here: http://www.gbod.org/worship/articles/water_spirit/

The Lord's Supper

Commonly this is also called "Communion" and occasionally called "Eucharist."

There are a variety of forms of practice. United Methodist churches commonly use wafers or loaves of bread. Officially, United Methodist's only use Grape Juice, not alcoholic wine, for communion (out of pastoral concern for recovering alcoholics and UM historical support for prohibition). The clergyperson must bless and break the bread and bless the "wine". These blessed elements may then be distributed by laypersons. There is no single practice of how these are served. Practices include receiving at an altar rail, receiving a piece of bread to dip in a common cup (called intinction), or by serving the person next to you in the pews.

Theologically, God is present in the meal. God's grace is imparted to the individual when the elements are received by faith. This means that the bread and wine don't actually change substance into the body and blood of Jesus, but that, by faith, Christ's grace/love is received in eating the bread and wine. This is called a doctrine of "real presence."

The United Methodist Church's official statement on The Lord's Supper is called "This Holy Mystery," which can be found here: http://www.gbod.org/worship/thm-bygc.pdf

Answer 3

SACRAMENTS The Uniting Church acknowledges that Christ has commanded his Church to proclaim the Gospel both in words and in the two visible acts of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christ himself acts in and through everything that the Church does in obedience to his commandment: it is Christ who by the gift of the Spirit confers the forgiveness, the fellowship, the new life and the freedom which the proclamation and actions promise; and it is Christ who awakens, purifies and advances in people the faith and hope in which alone such benefits can be accepted. The Uniting Church acknowledges that Christ incorporates people into his body by Baptism. In this way Christ enables them to participate in his own baptism, which was accomplished once on behalf of all in his death and burial, and which was made available to all when, risen and ascended, he poured out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Baptism into Christ's body initiates people into Christ's life and mission in the world, so that they are united in one fellowship of love, service, suffering and joy, in one family of the Father of all in heaven and earth, and in the power of the one Spirit. The Uniting Church will baptize those who confess the Christian faith, and children who are presented for baptism and for whose instruction and nourishment in the faith the Church takes responsibility. The Uniting Church acknowledges that the continuing presence of Christ with his people is signified and sealed by Christ in the Lord's Supper or the Holy Communion, constantly repeated in the life of the Church. In this sacrament of his broken body and outpoured blood the risen Lord feeds his baptized people on their way to the final inheritance of the Kingdom. Thus the people of God, through faith and the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, have communion with their Saviour, make their sacrifice of praise and Thanksgiving, proclaim the Lord's death, grow together into Christ, are strengthened for their participation in the mission of Christ in the world, and rejoice in the foretaste of the Kingdom which Christ will bring to consummation.