Ordinance (Christianity)
Ordinance is a Protestant Christian term for baptism, communion and other religious rituals. Some Protestants, such as Baptists, Churches of Christ, Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Mennonites,[1] do not call them "sacraments" because they believe these rituals are outward expressions of faith, rather than impartations of God's grace.
While a sacrament is seen as something in and of itself sacred, an ordinance is a practice that merely demonstrates the participants' faith. The ordinances are observed in remembrance of Jesus, primarily his baptism and the last supper (communion or eucharist).
See also
- Baptism
- Baptist ordinance
- Eucharist
- Infused righteousness
- Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)
- Sola gratia