I have another question from one of my RCIA candidates as a sponser and I think its a great question. I am Catholic and my fiance is going through RCIA and will be confirmed this Easter. She has been baptized and has recieved Confirmation and her 1st Eucharist in her former Lutheran Church. Her question is why does she get re confirmed in the Catholic Church during RCIA? Is that to say the Holy Spirit NEVER confirmed her in the Lutheran Church?
She is not being “re-confirmed” in the Catholic Church. She has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation nor the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This is because only a Church with valid Holy Orders can confer these sacraments. It is the Bishop who confirms via the laying on of hands. Lutherans do not have valid Holy Orders or Bishops in Apostolic Succession. Same with the Eucharist-- only a priest (again, valid Holy Orders) can consecrate the elements of the Eucharist.
Also why would the Holy Spirit pick and choose only to confirm in the Catholic Church verse other Christian denominations Church?
Only those Churches with valid Holy Orders and valid Apostolic Succession have valid sacraments. That would include the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches.
The Lutherans themselves do not consider confirmation a sacrament. They view it merely as a profession of faith made by the Lutheran not as a sacrament conferred by the Bishop by which we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and sanctifying grace.
The Lutherans do not recognize seven sacraments. They recognize only two: baptism and the Lord’s supper.
Also she wants to know why Catholics have closed Communion?
Unfortunately, due to those who reject the authority of the Church, given by Christ, there is visible disunity. Communion is a sacrament of unity in the body. Those who are not fully united to the Church must refrain from receiving the Eucharist until they are fully in communion.
If Christ were here on earth wouldnt he invite every christian to the table with him and not segregate Christians or excluded them during communion?
Christ founded one Church. He gave authority to the Apostles to govern that Church. He expects us to all be fully in communion with the Church he founded.
On the road to Damascus the two guys asked Christ (not knowing it was him) to come and join them for supper and breaking the bread and communion right? Or was that just dinner supper or was it actual communion in scripture? If it was actual communion this shows a case where the intent was to invite a average joe who knows nothing about Christ to partake in communion even though at the time they did not realize it was Christ himself.
You are mistaken. The men on the road to Damascus were not “average joes” who “knew nothing about Christ.” They were disciples of his already.
Any insight please on these sacraments verse the protestant sacraments? Thank you
Those ecclesial communities that lack valid Holy Orders do not have valid sacraments. The Church recognizes the validity of their baptisms because baptism is essential for salvation and the Church has always recognized that while the bishop and priests are the ordinary ministers othe sacrament, any person of good will can validly baptize in necessity. The Church also recognizes non-Catholic marriages because the bride and groom are the minister of the sacrament to each other, not the priest. Therefore, in these two cases no Holy Orders are required for validity. Holy Orders are necessary for the remaining 5 sacraments.
Most protestant churches reject the very idea of sacraments and that they confer grace.
