Ordinance (Christianity)

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An ordinance is a term used by certain Christian denominations for a

religious ritual that was instituted by Jesus for Christians to observe.[1]

Examples of ordinances include

The number of ordinances depends on the Christian denomination, with Mennonite Anabaptists counting seven ordinances,[7] while some Baptists may name two or three.[8]

Distinctions

Christian traditions, including

Congregationalists) prefer the use of the term "sacrament".[1]

Anabaptism

For Anabaptists, "ordinances brought one into conformity with the truth of Jesus Christ, whose

life, crucifixion, death, and resurrection had so fundamentally altered all of humanity and creation that human beings were now capable of works of loving obedience that revealed the indwelling presence of God in Christ in all people."[11]

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."[7]

The

Baptists

Some Baptists teach

Mormonism

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) uses the term "ordinance", however the underlying belief is sacramental.[1][2] Rituals such as baptism, confirmation, initiatory (Chrismation)[see: washing and anointing], ordination, endowment (formal vows and reception of sacred vestments)[3] and marriage are referred to as "saving ordinances"[4], 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 Peter.[5][6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Krahn, Cornelius; Rempel, John D. (1989). Ordinances. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia. The term "ordinance" emphasizes the aspect of institution by Christ and the symbolic meaning.
  2. . John Calvin and most other Protestant leaders rejected the Roman Catholic sacramental system but retained its vocabulary, applying the term "sacrament" only to ordinances instituted by God himself (cf. Westminster Confession of Faith 27; Belgic Confession 33). ... Unlike Baptists and Anabaptists, who tend to speak of baptism only as an "ordinance," Calvinists have characteristically spoken of baptism not only as an ordinance but also as a sacrament or a mystery, a rite through which God applies grace.
  3. ^ Howe, Claude (1991). Holman Bible Dictionary. Broadman & Holman. Christians agree universally that baptism and the Lord's Supper were instituted by Christ and should be observed as "ordinances" or "sacraments" by His followers.
  4. .
  5. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 219
  6. ^ Chris Green, Pentecostal Ecclesiology: A Reader, BRILL, Leiden, 2016, p. 176
  7. ^ .
  8. ^ .
  9. ^ "Third Way Café: Sacraments/ordinances". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  10. .
  11. ^ Volf, Miroslav; Volf, Dorothy C. (26 October 2001). Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 139. .
  12. ^ Dunkard Brethren Church Polity. Dunkard Brethren Church. 1 November 2021. p. 6.
  13. ^ Pinson, Jr, Wm M. (9 February 2012). "Baptists' Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper". Baptist Distinctives.