Beginnings of a Sacramental Life
Sacraments, important figures, and women in Church History
Sacraments
A sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the grace of the sacraments, God's life is celebrated by the person fortunate enough to experience it. Baptism began as a real bath. The earliest Christians baptized by immersion into a river or other body of water. The beginnings of the Eucharist took place at a real meal with real food and drink.
The Word 'Sacrament'
The word Sacrament, initially meant the rite by which someone became a member of the great Roman Army. It was later adopted by Christians referring to the way that they enter into and celebrate the mystery of their life in Christ. Christians performed various rituals or ceremonies that they believed initiated them into this mystery. Eventually these rituals became more formal and spiritual
Important Figures in the early Church
Bishops
means "overseer"; in the catholic faith the word refers to the one who has received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders; the shepherd of a particular church entrusted to him.
Presbyters
Another name for elder of priest; in the early church presbyters served in leadership positions in some faith communities; one who has received the second order in Holy Orders
Apostles
First Bishops, Peter was appointed the leader of the 12 and became the first Pope
Guaranteed to be Spiritual and Fulfilling
The Role of Women in the Early Church
We know that Jesus treated women as equal to men. Many of his regular followers were women. Paul also had women who helped him with his ministry, and was considered in his day to be a radical champion of women. Church leaders have concluded that while women cannot be ordained, they are and should be full and active members of the community just as they were from the beginning.