Ecclesiology - Doctrine of the Church: Ordinances

Church Ordinances: Baptism & The Lord's Supper

Baptism and the Lord's Supper: Sacraments or Ordinances?

• Debate: Sacraments vs. Ordinances
  • Sacraments: Often called in Christian theology, particularly in Roman Catholicism.
  • Ordinances: Preferred term in Baptist traditions.

Sacrament

• Origin: Latin word Sacramentum, originally used for Roman military oaths.
• Tertullian: Equated Sacramentum with Greek Mysterion (Ephesians 5:32), related it to baptism.

Roman Catholic View of Sacraments

• Definition: Sacraments are signs and vehicles of grace, symbolic yet efficacious.

• Seven Sacraments:

  1. Baptism
  2. Confirmation
  3. The Eucharist (Lord’s Supper)
  4. Penance
  5. Extreme unction (Last Rites)
  6. Holy Orders
  7. Matrimony

• Functioning:

  • Ex opera operato: Work done imparts grace.
  • Ex opera operantis: Effort by the recipient is also needed.

• Baptism: Essential for washing away original sin and preparing for future sacraments.

Protestant Views on Sacraments

• Lutheran View: Sacraments effective with faith; baptism and Lord’s Supper need faith to be effective.
• Reformed Tradition: Sacraments are signs and seals of deeper realities, not dispensing grace.
• Baptist View: Prefer the term