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Number and nature of sacraments

In short
  • S06.1 An anointing and laying on of hands invoking the Spirit followed baptism as part of one rite (T2 onward); a separate later sacrament is a later development (medium–high)
  • S06.2 Confession and reconciliation through the church’s ministers (public penance, T2–T3); obligatory private enumeration is later (medium)
  • S06.3 Anointing of the sick by elders for healing and forgiveness (Jas 5; T3); restriction to the dying is later (medium)
  • S06.4 Marriage a holy, indissoluble bond (sacramentum, Augustine); not yet a counted sacrament (medium)
  • S06.5 Both: the rite is Christ’s and truly given whoever receives it, but its saving benefit comes only with faith and repentance (infants through the church’s faith): Era III–IV (Cyril of Jerusalem, Augustine) (medium)

From the study it came from: Mostly agree: the rites have biblical roots; later systems (seven sacraments, private enumeration, deathbed-only anointing) go beyond both.

Two separate measures, shown side by side; neither is combined with the other (confidence-weighted, out of 4; counts show how many of this doctrine's 5 questions each rests on; ⚠ marks coverage more than 10 points below the median, a less certain rank). This doctrine is second-order (tier weight 2). How scoring works · Scripture and tradition · Glossary · Every score with its citation

Closeness to Scripture

1 General Baptist⚠ 4/5 cells · low coverage 87% 4/5 q
2 Oriental Orthodox⚠ 4/5 cells · low coverage 84% 4/5 q
3 Orthodox5/5 cells 82% 5/5 q
4 Anglican5/5 cells 82% 5/5 q
5 Lutheran5/5 cells 79% 5/5 q
6 Presbyterian5/5 cells 74% 5/5 q
7 Reformed Baptist5/5 cells 69% 5/5 q
8 Anabaptist5/5 cells 69% 5/5 q
9 Catholic5/5 cells 60% 5/5 q

Closeness to the fathers

1 Oriental Orthodox⚠ 4/5 cells · low coverage 89% 4/5 q
2 Orthodox5/5 cells 82% 5/5 q
3 General Baptist⚠ 4/5 cells · low coverage 73% 4/5 q
4 Anglican5/5 cells 71% 5/5 q
5 Catholic5/5 cells 66% 5/5 q
6 Lutheran5/5 cells 64% 5/5 q
7 Anabaptist5/5 cells 47% 5/5 q
8 Presbyterian5/5 cells 43% 5/5 q
9 Reformed Baptist5/5 cells 38% 5/5 q
Charts: closeness to the fathers by question, and timeline
Closeness to the fathers, by question (0–4). Hatched = not assessed in the category file. Click a question for its verdict.
01234Catholic · S06.1: 3/4 — Confirmation a distinct sacrament (Trent VII), separated in time from baptism in the West3Orthodox · S06.1: 4/4 — Chrismation in one rite with baptism4Oriental Orthodox · S06.1: 4/4 — Coptic: Myron one of the four 'redemptive Sacraments' with baptism (verified: Bishop Mettaous, copticchurch.net)4Lutheran · S06.1: 2/4 — Not a sacrament; catechetical confirmation (AC XIII lists none)2Anglican · S06.1: 3/4 — 1662 Confirmation: bishop's laying on of hands; Art. XXV not a sacrament of the Gospel3Presbyterian · S06.1: 1/4 — WCF XXVII: only two sacraments; no rite1Reformed Baptist · S06.1: 1/4 — 1689 28: only two ordinances1General Baptist · S06.1: 4/4 — SC 1660 art. 12: baptized believers come to 'Prayer and Laying on of Hands, that they may receive the promise of the holy Spirit' (verified)4Anabaptist · S06.1: 1/4 — No rite1S06.1conf. medium–highCatholic · S06.2: 2/4 — Trent XIV: auricular confession of all mortal sins necessary by divine law2Orthodox · S06.2: 3/4 — Confession to a priest with absolution3Oriental Orthodox · S06.2: 3/4 — Coptic: the sinner confesses 'before the priest to be absolved by the priest' (verified: Bishop Mettaous, copticchurch.net)3Lutheran · S06.2: 3/4 — AC XI: private absolution retained, enumeration not required3Anglican · S06.2: 3/4 — 1662 Visitation of the Sick: absolution after special confession3Presbyterian · S06.2: 2/4 — WCF XXX: censures and church discipline; no absolution rite2Reformed Baptist · S06.2: 2/4 — 1689 26: discipline by the congregation2General Baptist · S06.2: 2/4 — Congregational discipline2Anabaptist · S06.2: 3/4 — Schleitheim 2: the ban, with admonition before the breaking of bread; resembles early public discipline3S06.2conf. mediumCatholic · S06.3: 2/4 — Trent XIV: 'extreme unction', for those in danger of death2Orthodox · S06.3: 4/4 — Euchelaion for the sick4Oriental Orthodox · S06.3: 4/4 — Coptic: Unction of the Sick a sacrament with 'holy sacramental oil' (verified: Bishop Mettaous, copticchurch.net)4Lutheran · S06.3: 1/4 — Not practised1Anglican · S06.3: 1/4 — Art. XXV: 'corrupt following of the Apostles'; no anointing in 16621Presbyterian · S06.3: 1/4 — Not practised1Reformed Baptist · S06.3: 1/4 — Not in the 16891General Baptist · S06.3: not assessedAnabaptist · S06.3: 1/4 — Not in Schleitheim or Dordrecht1S06.3conf. mediumCatholic · S06.4: 3/4 — Trent XXIV: a sacrament; indissoluble3Orthodox · S06.4: 2/4 — A mystery; divorce and remarriage allowed by economy2Oriental Orthodox · S06.4: 3/4 — Coptic: 'Matrimony is a holy sacrament, officiated by a priest' (verified: Bishop Mettaous, copticchurch.net)3Lutheran · S06.4: 3/4 — Holy estate, not a sacrament3Anglican · S06.4: 3/4 — Art. XXV: 'states of life allowed in the Scriptures'3Presbyterian · S06.4: 2/4 — WCF XXIV.5–6: divorce for adultery or desertion2Reformed Baptist · S06.4: 2/4 — 1689 25.1: 'Marriage is to be between one man and one woman'; the chapter omits the Westminster divorce paragraphs (verified, the1689confession.com)2General Baptist · S06.4: 3/4 — Orthodox Creed 43 'Of Family, or Relative Duties therein' (title verified in the 1679 table of contents; body text not legible in the scan)3Anabaptist · S06.4: 3/4 — Dordrecht XII: marriage 'in the Lord'; separation only for fornication3S06.4conf. mediumCatholic · S06.5: 3/4 — Trent VII, canon 6, anathematizes those who say the sacraments 'do not confer that grace on those who do not place an obstacle thereunto'; canon 8 anathematizes those who say grace 'is not conferred through the act performed, but that faith alone in the divine promise suffices'. Keeps the fathers' objective side; the bare 'no obstacle' rule asks less of adults than Cyril and Augustine do, and Scripture ties the benefit to faith (Col 2:12)3Orthodox · S06.5: 3/4 — Dositheus, Decree 15: 'we reject as something abominable and pernicious the notion that when faith is weak the integrity of the Mystery is impaired'. Keeps the objective side, as Augustine does; says little of faith as the way the benefit is received3Oriental Orthodox · S06.5: not assessedLutheran · S06.5: 4/4 — Augsburg Confession XIII condemns 'those who teach that the Sacraments justify by the outward act, and who do not teach that, in the use of the Sacraments, faith which believes that sins are forgiven, is required'; Large Catechism IV: 'his baptism is nevertheless genuine', yet 'faith alone makes the person worthy to receive profitably the saving, divine water'. Holds both sides, as Augustine does4Anglican · S06.5: 4/4 — Art. XXV: sacraments are 'effectual signs of grace' 'by the which he doth work invisibly in us', and 'in such only as worthily receive the same they have a wholesome effect or operation'. Holds both sides4Presbyterian · S06.5: 3/4 — WCF XXVII.3: grace 'exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them', but depends 'upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution', with 'a promise of benefit to worthy receivers'; XXVIII.6: grace 'is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto'. Holds both sides; tying the benefit to God's choice of the person and his 'appointed time' goes beyond what the fathers say about baptism3Reformed Baptist · S06.5: 2/4 — 1689 29.1: baptism is 'a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; … of remission of sins'. Keeps faith as the way of receiving; treats baptism as a sign rather than as a means through which grace is given, against Augustine and Cyril; plays down texts such as 1 Pet 3:21 and Acts 2:382General Baptist · S06.5: 2/4 — Orthodox Creed XXVIII: baptism is 'a Sign of our entrance into the Covenant of Grace, and ingrafting into Christ', given to those 'which do really profess Repentance towards God, and Faith'. Same assessment as Reformed Baptist2Anabaptist · S06.5: 2/4 — Schleitheim, article 1: 'Baptism shall be given to all those who have learned repentance and amendment of life, and who believe truly that their sins are taken away by Christ'. Ties baptism to faith; does not speak of it as a means of grace2S06.5conf. medium
CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptistnot assessed
When the cited witnesses spoke (approximate dates) and where later traditions fixed their positions. Filled dot = consensus question; hollow orange = a question on which the fathers varied. Each item links to its source note or post-750 note.
1002003004005006007001000125015001700post-750 (compressed)Justin Martyr (c. 155) · S06.5Justin Martyrc. 155 · S06.5Tertullian (c. 205) · S06.1Tertullianc. 205 · S06.1Tertullian (c. 205) · S06.1Tertullianc. 205 · S06.1Tertullian (c. 205) · S06.2Tertullianc. 205 · S06.2Cyprian (c. 252) · S06.1Cyprianc. 252 · S06.1Cyprian (c. 252) · S06.2Cyprianc. 252 · S06.2Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 350) · S06.1Cyril of Jerusalemc. 350 · S06.1Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 350) · S06.5Cyril of Jerusalemc. 350 · S06.5Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 350) · S06.5Cyril of Jerusalemc. 350 · S06.5Chrysostom (c. 395) · S06.2, S06.3Chrysostomc. 395 · S06.2, S06.3Chrysostom (c. 395) · S06.3Chrysostomc. 395 · S06.3Augustine (c. 415) · S06.4Augustinec. 415 · S06.4Augustine (c. 415) · S06.5Augustinec. 415 · S06.5Augustine (c. 415) · S06.5Augustinec. 415 · S06.5Augustine (c. 415) · S06.5Augustinec. 415 · S06.5Council of Florence (1439) · CatholicCouncil of Florence1439 · CatholicApology of the AC (1531) · LutheranApology of the AC1531 · LutheranTrent VII (1547) · CatholicTrent VII1547 · CatholicWestminster Confession (1646) · PresbyterianWestminster Confession1646 · PresbyterianWestminster Confession (1646) · Reformed BaptistWestminster Confession1646 · Reformed Baptist
  1. c. 155 Justin Martyr S06.5
  2. c. 205 Tertullian S06.1
  3. c. 205 Tertullian S06.1
  4. c. 205 Tertullian S06.2
  5. c. 252 Cyprian S06.1
  6. c. 252 Cyprian S06.2
  7. c. 350 Cyril of Jerusalem S06.1
  8. c. 350 Cyril of Jerusalem S06.5
  9. c. 350 Cyril of Jerusalem S06.5
  10. c. 395 Chrysostom S06.2, S06.3
  11. c. 395 Chrysostom S06.3
  12. c. 415 Augustine S06.4
  13. c. 415 Augustine S06.5
  14. c. 415 Augustine S06.5
  15. c. 415 Augustine S06.5
  16. 1439 Council of Florence Catholic
  17. 1531 Apology of the AC Lutheran
  18. 1547 Trent VII Catholic
  19. 1646 Westminster Confession Presbyterian
  20. 1646 Westminster Confession Reformed Baptist

S6 · Number and nature of sacraments

Seven, two, or ordinances; the other rites.

Tier: Second-order (scoring weight 2). How the tiers were set: theological triage. Site structure: structure.

Questions

  • S06.1 Chrismation and confirmation (was other-sacraments/K1)
  • S06.2 Confession and penance (was other-sacraments/K2)
  • S06.3 Anointing of the sick (was other-sacraments/K3)
  • S06.4 Marriage (was other-sacraments/K4)
  • S06.5 Do the sacraments give grace by the rite itself, or only to those who receive them in faith?

Verdicts and trace

S06.1 · Chrismation and confirmation

QuestionVerdictConfidenceReasoningKey sourcesScripture (benchmark)
S06.1An anointing and laying on of hands invoking the Spirit followed baptism as part of one rite (T2 onward); a separate later sacrament is a later developmentMed–highS06.1.1 · S06.1.3 weighingtertullian-osr-s1 · tertullian-osr-s2 · cyprian-osr-s1 · cyril-of-jerusalem-osr-s1S06.1.4: low-medium

S06.2 · Confession and penance

QuestionVerdictConfidenceReasoningKey sourcesScripture (benchmark)
S06.2Confession and reconciliation through the church’s ministers (public penance, T2–T3); obligatory private enumeration is laterMediumS06.2.1 · S06.2.3 weighingtertullian-osr-s3 · cyprian-osr-s2 · chrysostom-osr-s1S06.2.4: medium

S06.3 · Anointing of the sick

QuestionVerdictConfidenceReasoningKey sourcesScripture (benchmark)
S06.3Anointing of the sick by elders for healing and forgiveness (Jas 5; T3); restriction to the dying is laterMediumS06.3.1 · S06.3.3 weighingchrysostom-osr-s1 · chrysostom-osr-s2S06.3.4: medium-high

S06.4 · Marriage

QuestionVerdictConfidenceReasoningKey sourcesScripture (benchmark)
S06.4Marriage a holy, indissoluble bond (sacramentum, Augustine); not yet a counted sacramentMediumS06.4.1 · S06.4.3 weighingaugustine-osr-s1S06.4.4: medium

S06.5 · Do the sacraments give grace by the rite itself, or only to those who receive them in faith?

QuestionVerdictConfidenceReasoningKey sourcesScripture (benchmark)
S06.5Both: the rite is Christ’s and truly given whoever receives it, but its saving benefit comes only with faith and repentance (infants through the church’s faith): Era III–IV (Cyril of Jerusalem, Augustine)Medium. Cyril and Augustine are explicit; the later scholastic terms are not used before 750S06.5.1 · S06.5.3 weighingjustin-martyr-s06x-s1 · cyril-of-jerusalem-s06x-s1 · cyril-of-jerusalem-s06x-s2 · augustine-s06x-s1 · augustine-s06x-s2 · augustine-s06x-s3S06.5.4: medium

Post-750 development

Which of this doctrine’s questions each tradition stays closest to, or departs from. Each row links to the tradition’s notes.

TraditionClosest to the fathers onDeparts or sharpens on
Catholicpartly S06.1; S06.2; S06.3; partly S06.4partly S06.2; partly S06.3
OrthodoxS06.1; partly S06.2; S06.3; S06.4partly S06.4
Oriental OrthodoxS06.1; partly S06.2; S06.3; partly S06.4—
LutheranS06.1; partly S06.2; partly S06.4partly S06.1; S06.3
Anglicanpartly S06.1; partly S06.2; partly S06.4S06.3
PresbyterianS06.2; S06.4S06.1; partly S06.2; S06.3; partly S06.4
Reformed BaptistS06.2; S06.4S06.1; partly S06.2; S06.3; partly S06.4
General BaptistS06.1; S06.2; S06.3; partly S06.4partly S06.2; partly S06.3
Anabaptistpartly S06.2; partly S06.4S06.1; S06.3

Origin

Plan, overall verdict and verification status of the former other-sacraments category (shared with the other doctrines that came from it)

The other sacraments and rites

Method and conventions: docs/conventions.md. Reasoning: other-sacraments reasoning. Traditions’ sources: confessional sources.

1. Plan

Baptism and the Eucharist have their own categories. Questions: K1 post-baptismal anointing or laying on of hands (confirmation, chrismation); K2 confession, penance and absolution; K3 anointing of the sick; K4 marriage as a sacrament. Ordination is treated under ordained ministry. Scripture: Acts 8:14–17; 19:6; Heb 6:2; 1 John 2:20, 27; John 20:22–23; Jas 5:14–16; Matt 18:15–18; Eph 5:32; Matt 19:6–9. Fathers: Tertullian, On Baptism 7–8 and On Repentance 9; Cyprian, Letter 72 and On the Lapsed 28; Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catechesis 3; Chrysostom, On the Priesthood III.6; Augustine, On the Good of Marriage 24. Developmental: the number seven (Peter Lombard, Florence, Trent) is not a patristic question.

2. Verdicts and trace

Weighed under the source-proximity principle: Scripture first, then the father tiers T1–T4.

3. Post-750 development

4. Overall verdict

K1: a laying on of hands invoking the Spirit follows baptism from T2; the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and General Baptists keep it closest. K2: confession and ministerial absolution are early, private enumeration later. K3: James’s anointing of the sick is plain in Scripture; only the Orthodox families keep it as given. K4: Augustine’s indissoluble bond; not yet a counted sacrament.

5. Verification status

Trent, AC XI/XIII, WCF XXVII–XXX and the 1662 Confirmation and Visitation offices are cited from standard editions; the Oriental Orthodox cells are verified from Bishop Mettaous, Sacramental Rites in the Coptic Orthodox Church (copticchurch.net); General Baptist anointing (S06.3) is not assessed, as no confessional article was located. Early T1–T2 evidence for K3 and K4 was not found in this pass.

  • S06.5 (2026-10-24): verified in English: Justin, 1 Apology 61; Cyril of Jerusalem, Procatechesis 2, 4; Augustine, Tractates on John 80.3, On Baptism IV, Letter 98.9; Trent VII (sacraments in general, canons 6, 8); Dositheus 15; AC XIII (bookofconcord.org); Large Catechism IV; Art. XXV; WCF XXVII.3, XXVIII.6; 1689 29.1; Orthodox Creed XXVIII; Schleitheim 1; LSB English. To verify: the Apology’s discussion of ex opere operato (Apology XIII, XXIV), not quoted here.