"Are the seven Catholic sacraments Biblical?"

[Isaiah 53]

Jerry,

When Paul was speaking to the pagans is Act 17, he didn't start them out with Jewish Scripture...he quoted pagan poetry....that is to say, he meet them on their own ground, appealing to their understanding as God the Creator. Acts 17:22-24. It's the same difference here...taking elements that are fimilar and Christianizing them. Do you where a wedding ring?

As to the use of Holy Water...true the Romans and Greeks used it for purification (lustration) in their religious ceremonies, but so too did the Jewish people. When Israelites entered the Temple, they had to undergo a purification thru water in a mikvah. This was a pre-figurement to Baptism.

So, the use of water for a symbol of purification, was something both the pagan and the Jew could relate too.....just like Paul used pagan poetry, and their understanding of God, to tell them the gospel.


Peace be with you....Pam

Well said! In fact the use of water in baptism could be said to be of the same origin. It is not uncommon for many civilizations to use water as a symbol of purification or cleansing. That is precisely, I believe, why God used it!

PAX CHRISTI

 

[Oblio]

And to kick it up a notch, God sanctified our fallen, pagan humanity by taking on our flesh from the pure Virgin Theotokos dying, arising on the third day and ascending to the Father. So the sanctification by the Holy Spirit of other elements of His Creation, water, oil, icons etc, is well within the realm of Biblical truth.