Catechism Part V: The Sacraments.

The Sacraments

Catechist.    How many Sacraments has Christ ordained in his Church?

Answer.    Christ has ordained two Sacraments, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord, which is the Holy Communion.

Catechist.    What do you mean by this word Sacrament?

Answer.    I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, given to us by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive this grace, and a pledge to assure us thereof.

Catechist.    How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

Answer.    Two; the outward visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace.

Catechist.    What is the outward visible sign in Baptism?

Answer.    Water; in which the person is baptized In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Catechist.    What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism?

Answer.    A death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness; for being by nature born into man’s sinful state, we are hereby made the children of grace by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Catechist.    What is required of persons to be baptized?

Answer.    Repentance; whereby they forsake sin, which separates them from God: and faith; whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament.

Catechist.    Why then are infants baptized?

Answer.    Infants are baptized so that, being received into Christ’s Church, they may grow in grace and be trained in the household of faith.

Catechist.    How can infants promise repentance and faith?

Answer.    Their Godfathers and Godmothers make the promise for them.

Catechist.    When do they take this promise upon themselves?

Answer.    When they are confirmed by the Bishop and, through prayer and the laying on of hands, are strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Catechist.    Why was the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper ordained?

Answer.    For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby.

Catechist.    What is the outward part or sign of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer.    Bread and Wine, which the Lord has commanded to be received.

Catechist.    What is the inward part, or thing signified?

Answer.    The Body and Blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord’s Supper.

Catechist.    What benefits do we receive thereby?

Answer.    The strengthening and refreshing of our souls and bodies unto eternal life by the Body and Blood of Christ.

Catechist.    What is required of those who come to the Lord’s Supper?

Answer.    To examine themselves, whether they truly repent of their former sins, stedfastly purposing to lead the new life; have a living faith in God’s mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

The Catechist may conclude with a Collect and the following:

1 St Peter 5. 10, 11.
The God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

So soon as children are come to a competent age, and can say the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Commandments; and also have been further instructed in the Church Catechism as it is given above; they shall be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed.

And whenever the Bishop shall give notice for persons to be brought to him for their Confirmation, the Pastor of every Parish shall either bring or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his Parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the Bishop to be confirmed. And, if the Bishop approve of them, he shall confirm them. 

 This is probably one of the sticking points for Catholics and Orthodox: Anglicans recognise only two Sacraments. Baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion/Mass) are necessary to salvation. The 39 Articles mentions the others briefly:

Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God. (Article XXV)

That doesn't mean the other five aren't important, it just means only two were actually ordained by Christ, so those are the two we consider Sacraments.

I also very much adore the explanation of infant baptism given here. It's the time when the parents promise to raise their child up in the faith, and the Godparents promise to support them. This particular aspect is similar in the Catholic Church, and it is why I am always annoyed by the concept of "godparents" with non-Christian families. If your kid wasn't baptised, how do they have godparents? What even.

Anyway, the idea is that the child will be raised in the faith and then when they're ready to claim that faith as their own, they are Confirmed. That is to say, they're Confirming that the promises their parents and Godparents made at their baptism have gone swimmingly, and they are agreeing that Christianity is True.

As for the Eucharist, I admit to being somewhat confused as to why people have their very young children (in some cases, infants) take Communion. As noted here, you are supposed to take the opportunity to examine yourself and your heart, and rededicate yourself to following Christ, as preparation for receiving the Sacrament. It is an outward sign of an inward grace in that when you visibly receive, you are making public the information that you are, indeed, a Christian, and you will continue striving to follow Christ as best you can.

My confusion, then, stems from the fact that very young children, and especially infants, aren't really developmentally able to withstand temptation. That's why you need to "child-proof" your home, and why it's important to make sure they have safe environments to explore if you aren't around to supervise them (and don't take your eyes off them for a second if you're supervising). Impulse control is an executive function that develops over time, and that means that doing whatever looks most fun is something infants and very young children (by which I mean 5 and under) naturally do. If they do something they shouldn't do, that's on the parent or supervising adult, not on the child, because they shouldn't be able to get at breakable things or important papers (etc.).

That is neither here nor there. It's not a big deal, it is just confusing.

I don't feel like this really needs much from me; it's very clear.

One more section, I believe, and then we're done.

Peace & Blessings.