Biblical Basis for the Sacraments
BAPTISM
Matt 28:19 - Jesus commissions the apostles: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit";
John 3:22; 4:1-2 - Jesus' first disciples baptize other disciples;
Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 - new believers are baptized "in the name of Jesus" by Peter & others;(not just Jesus' own baptism: Mark 1:9-11 & par.)
EUCHARIST
Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11:23-25 - Jesus' "Last Supper" with his disciples;
John 6: 48-58 - the end of the Bread of Life discourse: "eat my flesh; drink my blood";
Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42 - Christians gather for the "Breaking of the Bread"
CONFIRMATION
John 20:22 - "(Jesus) breathed on them (the disciples) and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'";
Acts 8:17; 19:6 - believers receive the Spirit, esp. through laying on of the apostle's hands
Acts 10:44-48 - the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers
PENANCE / RECONCILIATION
John 20:23 - "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained";
Matt 16:19; 18:18 - more sayings on "binding and loosing";
James 5:16 - "confess your sins to one another"
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus' disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them";
James 5:14-16 - "call for the elders of the church and have them pray over (the sick), anointing them with oil in the names of the Lord."
MATRIMONY / MARRIAGE
Gen 2:24 - "a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh";
Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 - Jesus teaches against divorce; "What God has joined together, let no one separate";
Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 - Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives;
(not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11)
HOLY ORDERS (Ordination of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons)
Mark 3:13-19 & par. - Jesus "calls" and "appoints" the 12 apostles;
Acts 6:6; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6 - "laying on of hands" as the "ordaining" or commissioning rite of local Christian leaders
