An ordinance in a church is a religious rite or ceremony observed by a church. Many Protestant churches use the term for practices they call ordinances, especially baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Jewish communities use “ordinance” more broadly for laws and practices commanded by Jewish religious tradition.
Why do some churches call sacraments ordinances?
Many Baptist, Pentecostal, nondenominational, Church of Christ, and holiness churches use “ordinance” instead of “sacrament.” The most common ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion or the Lord’s Table. Some congregations also recognize foot washing or other acts of obedience as ordinances.
The word often emphasizes that believers enact something commanded by Christ. Some churches treat ordinances as symbolic acts of obedience; others describe them as signs of participation in Christ’s death and resurrection or as means by which grace is received.
What happens during an ordinance service?
At a Baptist baptism, the church commonly gathers for Scripture, prayer, and a public testimony before the candidate is immersed; some congregations use pouring. The person may wear a robe or baptismal gown. At many Baptist, Pentecostal, and Church of Christ congregations, the Lord’s Supper uses bread or crackers and grape juice or wine, with prayer, Scripture, and sometimes singing around the table.
An ordinance service may include one rite or both. Baptism, Communion, foot washing, confession, and prayer can appear in the same meeting, especially in Churches of Christ and some Baptist congregations.
How is an ordinance different from a sacrament?
The terms overlap, but their theology can differ. Catholics and Lutherans call baptism and the Eucharist sacraments and understand them as means of grace. Orthodox churches speak of Holy Mysteries, while Episcopalians and many other Anglicans call their principal rites sacraments. Some Protestant churches use the two words interchangeably.
Anglican theology has also classified rites such as confirmation, ordination, marriage, and laying on of hands for healing as secondary sacraments or ordinances. By contrast, sacrament often names a rite associated with grace; see how denominations organize these practices. In some church bylaws, an ordinance also means an adopted rule, a governance term rather than a sacramental one.
What does ordinance mean in Judaism?
In Jewish usage, an ordinance is a binding religious law or practice rooted in Torah and rabbinic tradition. Examples include observing Shabbat, keeping kosher, and marking Jewish holidays with prescribed prayers and customs. A rabbi may interpret how an ordinance applies to a particular case. This usage concerns commanded conduct, not the Protestant sense of a church rite.
What should a visitor expect?
If a bulletin announces an “ordinance service,” it usually means baptism, Communion, or both. Guests may be welcome to observe. Many Baptist and Pentecostal churches practice open communion, while others expect baptism or membership; Catholic and Episcopal churches set their own requirements. Ask a church representative before participating if you are unsure.
Before planning a baptism, wedding, or public profession of faith, ask about the church’s theology, who may administer the rite, and any preparation. The guide to attending church for the first time offers more practical help for visitors.