New Testament Ordinances

The reason the New Testament church observed ceremonial ordinances is because of the last commission given by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”  So these texts teach us the ordinances are to be observed, and are to be observed until the end of the world.  Some have misapplied a few scriptures, attempting to teach that the ordinances were abolished at Christ’s death. Two examples would be Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14.  In Ephesians 2:15, Paul is teaching that Christ abolished the law or commandments contained in the ordinances, meaning the ordinances of the Mosaic system; not the ordinances that Christ himself instituted.  The Mosaic system was abolished to break down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and Gentile.  The Mosaic Law system was instituted for the Jew only, but through the blood of Christ, both the Jew and Gentile “are made one new man, reconciling both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:14-16).  Then in Colossians 2:14 the “...blotting out of the handwrit­ing or ordinances...,” also refers to the old system and Paul goes on to teach in verse 17 that those rituals were but a shadow of things to come.   Keep in mind the last commission in Matthew 28:19-20, we quoted earlier, was given after the death and resurrection of Christ.  The first New Testament ordinance we look at is water baptism.

WATER BAPTISM

There are many different teachings concerning the sub­ject of water baptism.  We are not attempting to refute all the erroneous teachings, but just mainly give the Bible an­swers to the MODE, PURPOSE, and TO WHOM, water baptism is ad­ministered.

IMMERSION IS THE ONLY CORRECT

MODE OF WATER BAPTISM

Immersion is taught through the meaning or definition of the word baptize.  The very meaning of the Greek word “Bap­tizo” means to dip, plunge or immerse.  It never means to sprinkle or pour, nor are there any examples of sprin­kling or pouring; whereas immersion is taught by Bible ex­ample.  In John 3:23, we learn that “... John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because there was much water there...”  In Acts 8:38, Philip and the eunuch “went down both into the water...”   In Matthew 3:16, after Christ was baptized, He “…went up straightway out of the water...”  So we can see that sprinkling or pouring could hardly apply to these texts.  Then of course, sprinkling or pouring cannot correctly sym­bolize the purpose of water baptism.  So let’s look briefly at the Bible definition of the object or purpose of water baptism.  

THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM:

AN OUTWARD SIGN

OF AN INWARD WORK

To be baptized is to witness that one is dead to sin but alive unto God. Romans 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in new­ness of life.” Therefore water baptism is a figurative buri­al and resurrection with Christ and a pledge to walk in new­ness of life.  Water baptism is the figure of salvation and the answer of a good conscience towards God.  I Peter 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”  It is the figure of salvation [not the salvation itself] and the answer of a good conscience toward God.  Hebrews 9:14 will teach us that the conscience can only be purged by means of the blood of Christ.  Therefore, water baptism is not to be administered until the blood of Christ has first been applied (spiritually) to the heart.  Yes, water baptism is an outward sign of an inward work.  Therefore, candidates for water baptism are only saved people.  We have no Bible teaching for infant baptism, or baptism for those who have not already had the inward work of regeneration. 

WATER BAPTISM IS CONDITIONED ON REPENTANCE

AND IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY

That water baptism is a believer’s baptism is taught in Mark 16:15-16.  Those capable of hearing and believing were to be baptized.   In Acts 8:12, men and women (not children) were baptized when they believed.   The harm of baptizing in­fants is that they may grow up to think they are already children of God even though they have never been born again.   Likewise, the harm of administering the rite of water bap­tism to a sinner is that he might trust in the ceremony as a means of obtaining salvation instead of the blood of Christ.  Water cannot wash away our sins; only the blood of Christ can. (Rev. 1:5)  The blood of Christ is applied (spiritually) to our hearts by faith and to have saving faith we must first repent.  Repentance is always first.  Peter says in Acts 2.38, “Repent, and be baptized”.  We read in the third chapter of Matthew that John the Baptist refused to baptize those that did not repent.  So again we would like to stress that water baptism is not a saving ordinance.  Scriptures like Acts 22.16 that says, “…arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” is referring to a ceremonial cleansing only.  We would remind you that the thief on the cross was never baptized, yet was accepted by Christ.  On the other hand, Simon the sorcerer, in the eighth chapter of Acts was baptized by Philip, but when Peter and John came down there, the unregenerate condition of his heart was revealed.  Peter told him, “Thou hast neither part or lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God,” (Acts 8:21).   Another scripture that is misunderstood is John 3:5 where Jesus speaks of “…being born of water and of the spirit”.  Water here does not apply to water baptism, but means the Word of God.  I Peter 1:23 teaches us we are, “…born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”  Then Ephesians 5:26 says, “That He might sancti­fy and cleanse it [the church] with the washing of the water by the word.”  So that scripture in John 3:5 “…being born of water and of the spirit” simply means being born of the Word and Spirit.  We would also add that no physical observ­ance produces salvation, whether it is water baptism, com­munion, joining church, going forward, etc.   Salvation comes only through repenting and believing the gospel.  Then also we would add that water baptism is not the induction into the church.  Acts 2:47 teaches us that the Lord adds us to the church when we get saved.    But with all the things it is not, it is still command­ed in the Bible, just as the other ordinances are too.  We physically partake of the Lord’s Supper or communion in re­membrance of the Lord’s death or of His atonement.  We physically wash the feet of the saints to show humility and brotherly love; and we physically get baptized to show testimony.  This could be deferred until after we have been sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, as in two instances in Acts, or because of unavoidable inconvenience, but we must not defer this because of neglect.  This would be failing to walk in the light.  So in this sense, water baptism is essential to our salvation.  You will get a blessing when you are correct­ly baptized, because there is pleasure in being obedient to God’s Word.   We would also add that through this brief explanation of the true Bible teaching on water baptism, we hope to open the eyes of those deceived by various false teachings.  Even though there are many who have perverted the teaching of water baptism, there are still “bodies of believers” that are correctly observing the Bible teaching on water baptism that you can worship with.

COMMUNION, OR THE LORD’S SUPPER

This New Testament ordinance was instituted by Christ through both command and example, (I Cor. 11:24-25).  The establishment of this memorial meal for Christ was intimately connected to the Passover meal Jesus ate with His disciples just prior to His apprehension.  The Passover meal pointed to His crucifixion because the Lamb of the Passover was a “type” of the true “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29).  Therefore, this ordinance is per­formed not to impart spiritual life, but in remembrance of the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior.  Paul says in I Corinthians 11:26, “for as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.”  He goes on to teach (verses 27-30) the necessity of self-examination prior to partak­ing of the elements lest one eat and drink damnation unto him self through partaking when he is unworthy of so doing. These strong words of self-examination clearly show that this ordinance does not mysteriously or magically impart spiritual grace to the partaker.  I Corinthians 10:16-17, teaches us that this ordinance also symbolizes our relationship to Christ and to one another.  This memorial meal is symbolic of a family meal, a fellowship of brothers and sisters in the Lord, a “communion” or fellowship with one another and with Christ.  We would point out, however, that the “Lord’s Supper” is not a full or reg­ular meal.  Paul severely condemned the Corinthians for com­ing together for a full meal or love feast and calling it the “Lord’s Supper”.   He told them this was not the “Lord’s Supper” but their own supper and that the proper place for eating their own supper was in their own houses, not in the church of God.   This ordinance was also practiced by the New Testament church (I Cor. 10:16-11:20).  It is also correctly ob­served yet today in true congregations of the church of God.   We would also point out that fermented wine definitely is not to be used in this sacred ordinance.  Jesus simply calls it “...the fruit of the vine...” (Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18) without specifically stating whether or not it was fermented.  However, the overall teaching of the Bible not only forbids drunkenness but teaches total abstinence from fermented wine.  Proverbs 23:31-32 says, “Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”  The Booklet “WINE” reprinted from “The Remnant” that explains this more fully, is available from this publisher.

FEET WASHING

This ordinance was also instituted by Christ through both command and example, (John 13:15-17-John 13:5). Notwith­standing, this ordinance is rejected and ignored by almost all religious organizations and could be termed the “for­gotten ordinance”.   John 13:4-17, tells us the story.... Jesus rose from the Passover Supper and began washing the feet of his disciples.  When He came to Peter, Peter did not understand and protested. (So it wasn't a Jewish custom of a foot washing for cleanliness for Peter would have understood those things.)  Jesus told him of the absolute necessity of him participating.  (“…If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me”) so Peter submitted.  Peter thought it was for bathing, but Jesus refuted that idea too.  After Christ had washed their feet He told them “If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet,” (John. 13:14).  He goes on to say in verse 15, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”  I Timothy 5:10, also teaches that feet washing was not just a custom of washing feet for cleanliness, for this verse says, “…if she have washed the saints’ feet...”  This same verse shows us the Apostolic Church made feet washing a test of fellowship and that “feet washing” was practiced in a literal way.  Some claim they are obeying Christ’s teaching of feet washing by substituting a performance of some other good work.  However, John 13:14, does not say ye ought to visit the sick or some other good work, but Jesus says, “If I then your Lord and master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”  The ordinance of feet washing teaches us a good lesson in humility and equality of members.   The proud and haughty attitude of an unsaved individual makes feet washing hard to do.  Preeminent preachers also find this command grievous to them.  A congregation of unsaved church members will not per­form this ordinance or allow the pastor to teach it.  Those that are saved and involved in such a situation, we remind you that you can separate your self from that atmosphere and assemble with a body of believers that are humble enough to practice this teaching (not just say they believe it).  We might add that men wash men’s feet and women wash women’s feet in separate areas.  

“Let all things be done decently and in order, (I Corinthians 14:40).

CONCERNING THE NEW TESTAMENT ORDINANCES:

ALL THREE TEACH OR DISPLAY A RELATIONSHIP

Baptism shows we are dead to sin and the world, but alive unto God.

Communion shows our fellowship with Christ and our unity with the body of believers.

Feet washing will display our humility, equality and service to one another.

SUMMARY OF THE THREE NEW TESTAMENT ORDINANCES

All Three Were Practiced by Christ For Our Example:

Baptism (Matt. 3:15)

The Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:25)

Feet Washing (John 13:5)

We Are Commanded to Observe All Three:

Baptism (Matt. 28:19)

The Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:24)

Feet Washing (John 13:15-17)

All Three Were Practiced by the New Testament Church:

Baptism (Acts 8.12)

The Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 10: 16 - 11:20)

Feet Washing (I Tim. 5:10)

All Three are to be observed by believers only:

Baptism (Mark 16:16)

The Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:27)

Feet Washing (John 13:14 – I Tim. 5:10)

All Three Have a Definite Significance:

Baptism (Rom. 6:3-4)

The Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:24)

Feet Washing (John 13:17)

None Produce Salvation by virtue of the Act Itself:

Baptism (I Pet. 3:21)

The Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:27)

Feet Washing (John 13:I0)

Gospel Truth and Publications, P.O. Box 142, Jackson Center, OH 45334