Which Sacraments of the Catholic Church Did Martin Luther Not Reject?

Both John Calvin and Martin Luther criticized Catholic teachings.

In 1517, Martin Luther presented a revolutionary set of Christian beliefs known as the 95 Theses, rejecting many of the traditional views of the Catholic Church and setting in motion a journey that resulted in his permanent separation from Catholicism. Though Luther's primary objection to Catholic teachings centered on indulgences doctrines, he also rejected many other Catholic doctrines en route to forming his own Christian denomination. Of the seven sacraments taught and practiced in Catholicism, Luther rejected all but two, and he understood the overall concept of a sacrament very differently.

Catholic Sacraments

In Catholicism, a sacrament is understood as a visible sign of an invisible reality: through the visible signs in which the sacrament is administered, invisible grace is given to the sacrament's recipient. Each of the seven sacraments gives a particular kind of grace, and though one need not receive each of the sacraments to attain salvation, their grace is indispensable and very efficacious for those who receive them with proper preparation and intent.

Lutheran Sacraments

For Luther, who rejected the idea of grace and its necessity for salvation, the Catholic concept of grace was completely absurd. Indeed, he accused the Catholic Church of manufacturing these ideas to better control its believers by giving them a heightened sense of reliance on the Church. Luther believed that far less was necessary for salvation, and his form of Christianity retained only the sacraments he believed to have been instituted by Christ, symbolizing what little forgiveness was necessary for salvation.

Baptism

For Luther, baptism is necessary for salvation only when available. Someone who has never had the opportunity to receive the sacrament, for instance, would not be condemned for his inability to receive. This sacrament brings the baptized person into the Christian faith, bestowing on him God's promise for salvation. Similar to Catholicism, Luther's view says the sacrament's effect is not received unless the recipient is open and willing to receive it.

Eucharist

As opposed to Catholicism, which teaches that Christ is present merely under the appearance of bread and wine (the bread and wine cease to exist, becoming Christ's body and blood, a belief called "transubstantiation"), Luther believed that Christ is present along with the real substance of bread and wine in the sacrament of the Eucharist (the bread and wine continue to exist, but Christ's body and blood are also endowed into their substance, a belief called "consubstantiation"). Luther believed that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, thus giving the recipient a special reminder of Christ's sacrifice.

Other Sacraments

While the existence and use of the seven sacraments in Catholicism remained unchanged by Luther's revolution, his own Catholic denomination dropped all the sacraments except for Baptism and the Eucharist. They remained as rites, but not as the divinely instituted symbols of God's grace Catholics believe them to be. For Luther, these rites are important reminders of God's mercy, forgiveness and goodness, but they do not give or cause any special spiritual effects in the recipients. These non-sacramental rites include confirmation, holy matrimony, anointing of the sick, holy ablution and holy orders.

References

• New Advent: Sacraments
• Public Services: Martin Luther
• Rlhymersjr.com: Why Luther Rejected the Catholic Dogmas of Penance and Infusion
• "The Facts About Luther"; Msgr. Patrick F. O'Hare, LL.D.; 1987