A11.12 – ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH

A Christian ordinance is an outward, visible and symbolic practice commanded by the Lord Jesus. The two New Testament Ordinances are the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism.

1

The Lord’s Supper, Matt 26:26-27

a. It is also known as Holy Communion, breaking of bread, eucharist (Greek, giving of thanks), eulogia (Greek, blessing) or prosphora (Greek, offerings), Acts 2:42

b. It is to serve as memorial and reminder of the death, resurrection and the second coming of Christ, 1 Cor 11:23-26

c. The Lord’s Supper is to be taken by only believers. Unbelievers, sinners and unclean must not partake of the Holy Communion, 1Cor 11:29

d. Penalty for eating the Holy Communion ‘unworthily’ is damnation: physical sickness or ultimate death, 1 Cor 11:30

e. The Holy Communion is to be observed, not in the morning but in the evening because it is a ‘supper’ Luke 22:19-20

f. The material for Holy Communion comprises of unleavened bread and non-alcoholic wine, Luke 22:7-8

g. The Holy Communion is to be observed ‘often.’ The apostles observed it on daily basis. Some Church denominations do this weekly, monthly or quarterly, Acts 2:46

2

Water Baptism

The second Ordinance of the Church is Water Baptism is a public announcement and demonstration of a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an outward sign to the world signifying or testifying that the Christian is willing to identify with and follow Christ in company of other believers, Matt 28:19-20