|
|
SACRAMENTS Sacrament
by definition is “an outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual
reality.” As clearly defined, the
sacrament is not the spiritual reality,
but rather points to it. As was
evident in the 1600’s and can still be seen today, some people became members
of religious institution, but there was little sign of lives being changed. Sacraments were taken with regularity, but
there was little evidence that men and women were communing with Christ in a
transforming way. To
these inconsistencies, Friends posed the radical notion that the spiritual
reality is the priority .and that it can be experienced even without the
outward rite (or ritual). The outward
rites could be confused too easily with a magical formula which provides
salvation. John the Baptist said “I
baptize you with water…But after me will come one who…will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Baptism by fire depicts the spiritual change that happens within the
life of one who abides in Christ and in whom Christ abides, in an ongoing
sense. Elton Trueblood
says, “If we have The Reality, nothing else is
required; if we do not, nothing else
will suffice.” George Fox stated
that we should, “Let
[our] lives preach.” The most
effective sign is changed and changing lives. As
often as we eat and drink, we call to the present the memory of our Lord’s
sacrifice for us. Our prayer then
becomes, “as this nourishment is to our bodies, Lord, so are you to our
souls.” Friends believe in a never
ending communion with God and an internal transformation (or baptism) which
can be seen outwardly by the way we live our lives. Christ and this reality are the motivation
and inspiration to our goal of Changed lives. |