Christian Ordinances
Ordinances are practices instituted by Christ for His followers to observe as acts of obedience in response to God's grace. They are symbolic visual aids that help believers understand and appreciate the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and they have been taught by the apostles and practiced by the church throughout its history.
The Two Ordinances
Jesus specifically instructed His followers to fulfil two practices — water baptism and communion (Mt 28:18-20; Lk 22:19). Both are acts of obedience in response to God's grace having worked and continuing to be at work in our lives. Baptism is a public declaration that we belong to the Lord, while regularly taking communion recalls the sacrifice of our Lord and the salvation of our souls (1 Cor 11:23-25). Neither practice contributes to salvation; rather, each is a means by which believers express faith, remember Christ's finished work, and participate in the life of the gathered church.
Both ordinances are symbolic visual aids to help us better understand and appreciate what the redemptive work of Jesus Christ accomplished for us. They were introduced by Christ, taught by the apostles, and practiced by the early church. Believer's baptism was introduced by Christ (Mt 28:19-20); taught by the apostles (Act 19:1-5; Rom 6:3-4); and practiced in the church (Act 2:41, 8:26-40). Communion was introduced by Christ (Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20); taught by the apostles (1 Cor 11:23-24); and practiced in the early church (Act 2:42; 1 Cor 11:17-33).
Introduced by Christ • Taught by the apostles • Practised by the early church
Baptism and Communion
Baptism is the outward sign of an inward transformation. Through immersion in water, the believer identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-4). It is a public declaration of faith and a step of obedience that marks the beginning of the Christian life. Baptism does not save — salvation is by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9) — but it bears witness to the saving work that God has already accomplished in the believer's heart.
Communion, likewise, is a remembrance and a proclamation. When believers share the bread and the cup, they remember the body of Christ broken and the blood of Christ shed for the forgiveness of sins (1 Cor 11:23-25). Paul instructs that each person should examine themselves before partaking, so as not to eat or drink in an unworthy manner (1 Cor 11:27-29). Communion is both a personal reflection and a communal act, binding the body of Christ together in shared remembrance and hope.
Baptism declares new life in Christ • Communion proclaims His death until He returns
Observance and Warning
Observing these ordinances is an act of obedience to Christ, yet they should never become boring rituals or legalistic events devoid of meaning and joy. The danger is that repeated practice can degenerate into mere form — something done out of habit rather than heartfelt worship. Believers are called to approach each baptism and each communion with reverence, gratitude, and genuine faith.
Keeping these or any other practices is insufficient for salvation, which cannot be gained by any works on our behalf (Eph 2:8-9,15; Col 2:14-23). The ordinances are means of grace, not means of merit. They point beyond themselves to the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work. When observed in faith and with understanding, they strengthen the believer's walk; when reduced to empty ritual, they obscure the very gospel they were intended to display.
Ordinances are means of grace, not means of merit — they point to the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work
Reflection and Application:
- Have I been baptised as a public declaration of my faith in Christ?
- Do I regularly and thoughtfully participate in communion, examining my heart before partaking?
- Are these ordinances meaningful acts of worship for me, or have they become routine rituals?
- Do I understand that salvation is by grace through faith, not by observing practices or works?
See also: baptism (water), communion, legalism, obedience, ritual, rules.