An ordinance is a term used by certain Christian denominations for a
religious ritual that was instituted by Jesus for Christians to observe.
Examples of ordinances include
baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost ...
and the
Lord's Supper, both of which are practiced in denominations including the
Anabaptist,
Baptist,
Churches of Christ, and
Pentecostal
Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement traditions.
Some churches, including those of the Anabaptist tradition, include
headcovering and
footwashing
Maundy (from Old French ''mandé'', from Latin ''mandatum'' meaning "command"), or Washing of the Saints' Feet, Washing of the Feet, or Pedelavium or Pedilavium, is a religious rite observed by various Christian denominations. The Latin word ...
as ordinances.
The number of ordinances depends on the Christian denomination, with
Mennonite Anabaptists counting seven ordinances,
while Baptists may name two or three, for example.
Distinctions
Christian traditions, including
Anabaptists
Anabaptism (from Neo-Latin , from the Greek : 're-' and 'baptism', german: Täufer, earlier also )Since the middle of the 20th century, the German-speaking world no longer uses the term (translation: "Re-baptizers"), considering it biased. ...
(such as
Mennonites
Mennonites are groups of Anabaptist Christian church communities of denominations. The name is derived from the founder of the movement, Menno Simons (1496–1561) of Friesland. Through his writings about Reformed Christianity during the Radic ...
and
Schwarzenau Brethren
The Schwarzenau Brethren, the German Baptist Brethren, Dunkers, Dunkards, Tunkers, or sometimes simply called the German Baptists, are an Anabaptist group that dissented from Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed European state churches during t ...
),
Baptists,
Churches of Christ,
Christian Churches/Churches of Christ,
Disciples of Christ, refer to "ordinances", rather than "sacraments".
While a sacrament is seen as a means of grace from God, an ordinance is a practice that rather demonstrates the participants' faith. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and many historic Protestant traditions (Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Moravians, Continental Reformed, Presbyterians and Congregationalists) prefer the use of the term "
sacrament".
Seven ordinances have been taught in many
Conservative Mennonite churches, which include "baptism, communion, footwashing, marriage, anointing with oil, the holy kiss, and the prayer covering."
The
Dunkard Brethren Church, a
Conservative Anabaptist
Conservative Anabaptism includes theologically conservative Anabaptist denominations, both in doctrine and practice. Conservative Anabaptists, along with Old Order Anabaptists and mainline Anabaptists, are a subset of the Anabaptist branch of Chri ...
denomination in the
Schwarzenau Brethren
The Schwarzenau Brethren, the German Baptist Brethren, Dunkers, Dunkards, Tunkers, or sometimes simply called the German Baptists, are an Anabaptist group that dissented from Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed European state churches during t ...
tradition, includes
baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost ...
,
feetwashing,
communion, the
holy kiss,
headcovering, and
anointing of the sick among the ordinances of the Church. Feetwashing, communion and the holy kiss occur during the
lovefeast.
Some Baptists teach two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, while others include additional ordinances, such as "the laying on of hands after baptism" as expressed in the
Standard Confession (1660).
(Mormons) uses the term "ordinance", however the underlying belief is sacramenta
https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Ordinances] Rituals such as baptism, confirmation, initiatory (Chrismation)
Washing_and_anointing.html" ;"title="ee: washing and anointing">Washing and anointing">[see: washing and anointing ordination, endowment (formal vows and reception of sacred vestment
and marriage are referred to as "saving ordinance
as they are considered transformative and necessary for salvation and exaltation. Similar to Catholic sacraments, Mormon ordinances are only considered valid if performed by ordained clergy with apostolic succession reaching back to Jesus through Pete
https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Ordination_to_the_Priesthoo
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1971/04/roman-catholicism?lang=eng]
See also
*
Born again
*
Worship service (evangelicalism)
A church service (or a service of worship) is a formalized period of Christian communal worship, often held in a church building. It often but not exclusively occurs on Sunday, or Saturday in the case of those churches practicing seventh-day Sa ...
*
Infused righteousness
*
Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the term ''ordinance'' is used to refer to sacred rites and ceremonies that have spiritual and symbolic meanings and act as a means of conveying divine grace. Ordinances are physical acts which signify or symbol ...
* ''
Sola gratia
''Sola gratia'', meaning by grace alone, is one of the five ''solae'' and consists in the belief that salvation comes by divine grace or "unmerited favor" only, not as something earned or deserved by the sinner. It is a Christian theologica ...
''
References
Protestant theology
Sacraments
Christian terminology
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