Doctrine Category

The Sacraments

11 claims
Doctrine All Ecclesiology Eschatology Mariology Petrine Ministry Scripture & Tradition The Eucharist The Priesthood The Sacraments
11 claims in this doctrine
The Sacraments
"The early Church taught that Baptism actually effects the forgiveness of sins and the new birth — not merely symbolises a grace already received."
The Donatist controversy — the greatest African theological crisis of the 4th century — was entirely about whose Baptism was valid, not…
Historically Verified
6 sources AD 50–415
Primary Sources

Patristic Texts Addressing The Sacraments

These texts from the Fideograph library contain annotated passages directly bearing on this doctrine. Each passage is tagged so you can filter to the relevant chapters immediately.

c. AD 96 Intermediate
Clement of Rome
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
The earliest post-apostolic document asserting Roman pastoral authority — c. AD 96. 12 key chapters with annotations.
3 chapters on The Sacraments
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c. AD 107 Intermediate
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch — Letter to the Smyrnaeans
Contains the first use of Catholic Church in Christian literature, the clearest early statement on the Real Presence, and the most concentrated early treatment of episcopal authority — written en route to martyrdom, c. AD 107.
2 chapters on The Sacraments
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c. AD 350 Intermediate
Cyril of Jerusalem
Cyril of Jerusalem — Mystagogical Catecheses
Five post-baptismal lectures delivered at the Holy Sepulchre c. AD 350 — the most systematic early treatment of the sacraments, including the clearest patristic account of Real Presence and the Epiclesis.
9 chapters on The Sacraments
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c. AD 50–120 Introductory
Anonymous (Apostolic)
The Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)
The oldest surviving Christian catechism outside the New Testament — containing the earliest extra-biblical instructions for Baptism, the Eucharist, fasting, and church order. c. AD 50–120.
4 chapters on The Sacraments
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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