Hanover Baptist Church

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TWO ORDINANCES

1 Corinthians 11.2

             I.  THE MEANING OF ORDINANCE

                            1.  A religious rite ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ.

                            2.  A practice instituted and authorized by Christ.

                            3.  Ordinance in the OT represents something prescribed and enacted.

EG: Passover  This day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.  Exo 12.14

                            4.  The Lord did not suggest these ceremonies, He commanded them. This do in remembrance of me. 1Co 11.24    Go ... teach ... baptizing Mat 28.19

                            5.  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  1Co 11.2

**We are obligated to keep the ordinances: faithfully, scripturally, and perpetually!

          II.  THE NUMBER OF ORDINANCES

                            1.  Christ instituted and the Apostles practiced only two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper

                            2.  Roman Catholics practice seven: baptism, confirmation, the eucharist, matrimony, penance, holy orders, and extreme unction. There is no Biblical support for such practice.

                            3.  Some groups practice three: baptism, the Lord's Supper, and footwashing.

What about footwashing?

§ It was not so understood by the early church

§ It was not developed in Scripture beyond John 13

§ Foot washing was a cultural practice; a common form of hospitality

§ John 13.13-17 commends a general servant attitude toward others; not a specific ordinance

        III.  THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCES

                            1.  The ordinances perpetuate the great truths of the Gospel; in both we see the atoning death and resurrection of Christ.

                            2.  The ordinances are a reminder:

§ Baptism pictures our union with Christ

§ The Lord's Supper pictures our communion with Christ

                            3.  OT illustration of memorials: Joshua 4; Upon crossing the Jordan River on dry land, two pillars of stone were erected. 9, 20

                            4.  One key to proper Christian growth is a good memory!  2Pe 1.12-15

**Observing ordinances should cause renewed devotion to our Savior!

         IV.  THE AUTHORITY OF THE ORDINANCES

                            1.  The ordinances are to be administered by the authority of the church.

                            2.  They belong to the church and are to be kept and administered by the church.

                            3.  Baptism and the Lord's Supper are church ordinances to be observed as a church body.

           V.  THE NATURE OF THE ORDINANCES: sacramental or symbolic?

                            1.  Sacrament: "a visible sign instituted by Jesus Christ to confer Grace, or Divine Life, on those who worthily receive it."  Roman Catholic doctrine

                            2.  Because of first century paganism, the ordinances were regarded with superstitious veneration.  "Sacramentalism became a powerful weapon in the hands of the clergy to hold over the people the constant threat of excommunication and damnation."

                            3.  The ordinances are not sacraments; they are not the means and channels of saving grace.  The ordinances are "symbols and visible representatives of the vital, central truth of the gospel."

                            4.  God's Word does not promise grace, or life, through these, but commands them to be observed as memorials.