Thoughts: Disciples are meant to be baptize and the Word is to be spread with baptism. Baptism is the initiation rite of the church. Communion or the Lord's Supper is a regular reminder and sustainer of the Church.
The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church came up with seven sacraments- five in addition to baptism and communion. Those were: confirmation, Penance, Orders (Ordination), Matrimony, and Extreme Unction (last rites/anointing the sick). There were other means of grace also considered to be sacraments in some traditions- like prayer or foot washing or preaching. The idea of a sacrament was to be a visible sign of God's invisible grace or love. A sacrament was to be tied to the presence of Christ. So baptism has water and the promise, "Lo I am with you always." Communion has the bread and fruit of the vine- with the promise "this is my body" "this is my blood...do this in remembrance of me."
The Protestant critique given by Luther and agreed to by Calvin and the Anglican church is that some of the seven sacraments are not for everyone. So "orders" or ordination is not for everyone, and marriage is not either. Luther said that Christ had to command it to be a sacrament of the Church. The only ones that Christ commanded were baptism (Go therefore and baptize); and communion (Do this in remembrance of me).
In the end, these are not man-made rituals as some would say, but are promises of the presence of Christ. They have been proven as events that, when combined with faith, bring spiritual experience of God.
Prayer: Lord, may I seek your presence, and may I grow in love for you.
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