Study Guide: What constitutes an Ordinance?

 

Defending from Scripture the Three-fold Communion Service as a Divinely-authorized, Biblical Ordinance

by the Rev. Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC, Armagh, PA

 

I. Its Three Component Elements; their status as true Ordinances.

Church Ordinances are characterized and distinguished by a special criterion of five distinct and necessary elements. If any of these elements are missing, then the practice cannot properly be referred to as a New Testament “ordinance.” On the other hand, if a certain practice has all five of these elements, it should be recognized and observed by all of God’s People as an official Ordinance of the Lord, designed to be universally & continually perpetuated within His churches.

 

1.) A SPECIAL TIME for the institution of the Form, which was late in our Lord’s Ministry, after the rejection of His offer of the Kingdom unto Israel. At this juncture, the theme of His Ministry shifted from “the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand” (Matt. 4:17) unto “I will build My Church” (Matt. 16:18). The Ordinances are thus Dispensational in nature. Note that Footwashing, the Eucharist, & the Lord’s Supper (i.e., Love Feast) are not inaugurated until the night of His betrayal, at the Last Supper, and that a distinctively Christian Baptism (as opposed to earlier Jewish Practices) is not inaugurated until just prior to the Ascension (Matt. 28:19).

 

2.) Christ’s Sovereign Authorization of the Form as an Ordinance. The Son of God is the Head of His Church (Col. 1:18).  An Ordinance must have the Seal of Christ Himself, in terms of its authorization and its right to perpetuation. The Sovereign Authority of Christ is recognized and declared in association with the inauguration of all of the Ordinances traditionally recognized as such by the historic Brethren Community (e.g., Footwashing: John 13:3, 12-17. Eucharist & Love Feast: 1 Cor. 11:17-34. Christian Baptism: Matt. 28:18-19).

3.) A Symbolic Meaning behind the Instituted Form. Ordinances have a symbolic meaning—and are thus distinguished from works. By definition, they employ special symbols signifying spiritual meanings (1 Cor. 11:26, John 13:10).

 

4.)The spiritual reality symbolized must be VERY GREAT!

The Eucharist: Justification (the Foundation of our Salvation). Luke 22:19-20.

Baptism: Regeneration (the Commencement of our Salvation). Matt. 28:19, Rom 6:3-5.

Footwashing: Sanctification (the Progress and Continuance of our Salvation). John 13:6-11, Eph. 5:26.

The Lord’s Supper/Love Feast: Glorification (the final Consummation of our Salvation). Rev. 19:1-9.

 

5.) A command for PERPETUATION (specific or clearly implied) is necessary. Without the demand for perpetuation, a form could never be regarded as anything more than a one-time historical incident. Ordinances are to be repeated by us until Jesus comes. Such a command must be either directly stated or strongly implied if a given rite is to be regarded as an actual, continuing Ordinance.

A) Baptism: Matt. 28:19—to be done to all disciples.

B) The Eucharist: Luke 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:23-26

(“Take…eat…drink…do this…”).

C) The Lord’s Supper/Love Feast: The command is clearly implied in Paul’s complete linkage with and union unto the Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:17-34); the Corinthians were severely admonished for desecrating a Holy Thing—the Love Feast—by dishonoring much of what the Ordinance speaks to: the unbroken Fellowship & Communion of the Saints. The fact of its very perpetuation in the Church (also demonstrated in Jude 12 & in 2 Pet. 2:13) with the tacit approval of the Apostles speaks loudly concerning the need for its continued observance.

D) Footwashing: John 13:14-17; note a reference to its perpetuity in 1 Tim. 5:10.

 

Note: History testifies that ALL of these forms were perpetuated in the early Church by the Early Church Fathers—the very disciples of the Apostles!