As Anglicans we hold that the Church uses a series of sacred Rites called Sacraments. Sacraments are, according to Anglicans, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
The number of Sacraments that Anglicans hold to is sometimes hotly debated by ourselves, but the general consensus is that there are:
- The Two “Sacraments of the Gospel”, namely Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist (Communion/Supper of the Lord), which are “Generally Necessarily” to Salvation
- Other Rites “Not to be counted as Sacraments of the Gospel”, namely, Reconciliation (Confession), Confirmation, Matrimony (Marriage), Anointment (Unction), Ordination (Orders)
Doesn’t John 3:16 define the plan of salvation in it’s entirety? Baptism and Communion are outward symbols of obedience to God but salvation is only achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross, and resurrection on the third day saved us all from our sins and believing in HIS name will save us, not communion or baptism.
Bob,
The New Testament makes things a tad more complicated. For Baptism we are told by Christ himself that:
Further, with regards to Communion we are told by Christ himself that:
Thus, we see that the issue is more complicated. Now, I am not saying if you don’t have faith and you get Baptized and receive Communion that you will be said; Faith is still necessary. However, the position that Christ has done everything and we just need to have faith is a vast over-simplification of the Christian faith. Christian salvation, like the true, resists simplicity. (I’m paraphrasing author, vlogger and fellow Anglican John Green).