What does it mean to say that Christ instituted the Sacraments?

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I have a book on the church fathers, sold by Catholic Answers, that says four of the sacraments were really 2 in 1: Baptism and Confirmation/Chrismation were really once part of the same rite of Baptism. And then Confession was really once integrated with the Eucharist, as Christians would confess their sins before their participation, so it goes.

And, after all, while Christ gave the Apostles and his ministers, their successors, the authority to forgive sin (John 20:21-23; Matt. 18:18), it’s not as though Christ established a single rite for this. After all, the early church may have done so more corporately, with less frequency. And we have general absolution in addition to private confession and so on.

So… What does it mean to say the 7 sacraments were instituted by Christ? Obviously we don’t mean every single rite and word said, correct?
 
We mean they were instituted by Christ in essence, not necessarily in there exact modern Roman Rite Form.

That’s why if you see a baptism in a Roman Catholic Church using the Ordinary Form, a baptism in the Extraordinary Form, and a baptism/Chrismation in a Ukrainian Catholic Church, you will see things done and said differently, although the substance remains the same.
 
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So since we admit to their essence, could this be part of the reason why other Christian groups limit the number of sacraments, and yet may nevertheless celebrate some version of the other sacraments? I guess it all has to do with how explicitly you interpret Christ as commanding them to be done.
 
Well, among the Apostolic Churches - the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox, we all agree on 7 Sacraments.

Assyrians have 7 but call a couple others different names.

It’s only since the Reformation that a minority of Christians don’t accept the Sacraments.
 
Well, among the Apostolic Churches - the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox, we all agree on 7 Sacraments.

Assyrians have 7 but call a couple others different names.
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Yeah I actually have a thread up under the non-Catholic forum section concerning this very topic. It’s very interesting, and I think it offers proof that all of these sacraments go back to the time of the Apostles.
 
Great Question

THANKS:thinking:😀

The teaching that Christ Instituted the seven Catholic Sacraments
Baptism
Confirmation
Confession /Penance
Eucharist
Marraige
Holy Orders
Extreme Unction [the final annointing

MEANS: That each of the above, either directly or indirectly were Christ Approved.
How the Sacraments are administered is a Church PRACTICE [& Church PRACTICES ARE changeable] while Doctrines and Dogmas are not.

The Power of Mt 16: 19 on Binding and Loosing; at THAT time & place was a granting; a transfer of Godly authority [see Mt 10:1-4 & Jn 17:18-19] of essential UNLIMITED power of Governance of the RCC which Christ entrusted to and through Peter [Mt 10:5-8 compared to Mt 28:19-20] … knowing that the RCC would be guided by the HS on ALL Faith and Moral beliefs.

The Sacraments which are SIGNS of Christ and How He acts in, with and through His Church, as, in and for a channel of Grace, reflect Christ closeness and love of His Catholic Church

And NO, the Power of the KEY"S permits the Church to do what is BEST for Souls entrusted to Her vigilant care.

God Bless you,
Patrick
 
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