Two sacraments of the Gospel

What it is: The classic Anglican formulation distinguishes two sacraments clearly instituted by Christ for the whole Church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, from other important rites of ecclesial life.

How the tradition understands it: Confirmation, penance, ordination, marriage, and anointing of the sick may receive great respect and pastoral function, but do not occupy exactly the same status as the two principal sacraments in the classic language of the Articles.

Textual or traditional basis: The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer and Article XXV are central references, in addition to biblical narratives about baptism and Eucharist.

Historical context: This distinction helped place Anglicanism within the Reformed field, preserving sacramental life without affirming the same system of seven sacraments as obligatory doctrine.

Common objections: Some currents consider the distinction excessively narrow; others see it as an important protection against undue expansion of sacramental language.

Internal variations: Anglo-Catholic currents tend to speak more positively of the other five rites, while evangelical currents usually insist more strongly on the two sacraments of the Gospel.