If you have ever been a part of a ‘religion’ you probably have received a few sacraments. I was baptized as an infant in the Roman Catholic church, which to them is supposedly important, but in reality, it is totally meaningless.

Religions have ordained ceremonies and rituals that bestow God’s grace to humanity that are called sacraments. These rituals form the system of works that define the religion. Religion, in its negative sense is always noted by outward works as though one can earn God’s favor by doing external acts regardless of one’s heart condition.

To the religious these sacraments are supposedly an outward visible sign of an inwardly received grace. To the casual observer, they are sacred objects used by sacred people in sacred places to provide sacred blessings.

The religionist says; if you don’t do them, you won’t receive or never have had the blessing.

Sacraments are at the heart of all manmade religion, but they have no place in “the church, the body of Christ.”

Romans Catholics and Eastern Orthodox have seven: (water) baptism, confirmation, Eucharist (mass), reconciliation (confession), anointing the sick (with oil), marriage, and holy orders.

But even the Protestants and Baptists keep two, water baptism and the Eucharist (communion), and some Pentecostal denominations have added a two more, the anointing the sick and tongue talking.

All these so-called sacraments have this in common: they are visible or physical actions that are stated to be a “means of grace” to those involved. Religions confess that they may not be the primary cause of grace, but that they are a necessary outward sign of an inner change… they say.

So, in this regard Protestants are not at all that far from the Catholic tree.

How is Grace Contrary to Physical Sacraments: Why don’t these belong in the church which is “the body of Christ”?

In the Apostles Paul’s day, contrary to Paul’s teaching, certain ‘religious men’ were persuading the Colossians that they needed to fulfill their obedience through the physical symbolism of special ordinances and sacraments. Here is what Paul had to say:

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?” (Colossians 2:20-22)

Paul’s rhetorical question declares religious sacraments do not belong in the church.

Oftentimes sacraments in religions are called mysteries, because it is a mystery to them how God can use ordinary physical things like water and oil to bestow spiritual things like grace. The truth is that he doesn’t any more.

Paul said that the real “mystery (secret) of Christ” and the meaning of His cross-work for all man has been revealed, it’s no longer a mystery, it has been revealed.  

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,” (Ephesians 3:1-3)

We receive grace through faith in the finished Cross-work of Christ accomplished on our behalf, not through religious sacraments.

When Paul speaks about “the dispensation of grace” he is not speaking about a sacrament. He is speaking about the message he was given that God’s grace can be freely received through faith in the good news of “the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

Since Christ finished the work of the Cross, there is no more work for us to do. Since we are crucified with Christ, there is nothing else in this world for us. Since God’s grace is sufficiently given through Christ’s finished work, there is no more grace that we need to seek.

We must simply grow in the grace that God has already supplied to those that believe.

Our Means of Grace:

Our means of grace is not in eating a cracker or in being dunked in water. (To religions this is sacrilege – making profane what is sacred to them, water and oil.)

Instead, our means of grace is faith in the cross-work and resurrection of Christ. Here is what Paul says about it:

“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal 6:14)

There is nothing to glory from in religious sacraments. Nothing to glory from in your works.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹  Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

The sacred things in today’s “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2) are the words of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his work on the cross. All of these things are received by faith not by a ceremony or work.

True sacrilege in today’s dispensational age is hiding the unspeakable gift of God’s grace behind the symbolism, shadows, and rituals of works based ceremonies, confessions, and commitments when all the time it is freely available to all in Christ without works.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5 (KJV)