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M. M. NINAN<br />
spectrum of denominations from Roman Catholic to<br />
Pentecostals.<br />
The word sacrament does not occur in the bible anywhere. It<br />
originated from the Latin word "sacramentum". Sacramentum<br />
was a sum of money given by the contesting parties in a litigation<br />
wagering their claim. One who won the litigation got his money<br />
back and the loser lost it. The money forfeited was supposed to<br />
go to the temple. How does this apply in the Christian<br />
Sacraments? The implication here is that Church in giving the<br />
sacrament to the person is making a wager, whereby the Church<br />
claims this person to itself. The other party here is the world and<br />
its ways. How it turns out to be is determined by the court of law.<br />
In providing the baptism, in giving the bread and wine in Lord's<br />
Supper, in taking the person through the process of confirmation,<br />
penance, accepting them into various orders of the church and<br />
marrying them in the presence of the Christian Assembly and<br />
even in giving them the last rite of extreme unction,; Church is<br />
laying its claim on the person. But whether it is realized, in<br />
actuality or not, is determined by the life and ultimate judgment<br />
of God himself. This I believe is the true explanation of the<br />
sacraments.<br />
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