An ordinance is a commanded practice instituted by Christ for his church — a visible act that proclaims and commemorates an invisible spiritual reality. Most Protestant traditions recognize two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion). Baptism is the outward sign of inward regeneration and public identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4). The Lord's Supper is a memorial proclamation of Christ's death until he returns (1 Cor 11:26). These are not optional ceremonies — they are obedient responses to direct commands of Christ: "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19) and "Go and make disciples… baptizing them" (Matt 28:19). They are means of grace — not because they save, but because they are appointed ways Christ speaks to and strengthens his people.
ORDINANCE, n. [L. ordinantia.] 1. A rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action. 2. A rite or ceremony prescribed by authority. Baptism and the Lord's supper are ordinances of Christ. — The word is used in Scripture for law in general, and for the institutions of the Mosaic dispensation, as well as for the rites and ceremonies of the Christian church.
• Matthew 28:19 — "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
• Luke 22:19 — "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'"
• 1 Corinthians 11:26 — "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
• Romans 6:3–4 — "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised…we too might walk in newness of life."
Two opposite errors afflict the ordinances today. The first is sacramentalism — the view that the ordinances themselves impart saving grace (ex opere operato), turning them into spiritual mechanisms rather than obedient acts of faith. The second is ordinance neglect — treating baptism and the Lord's Supper as optional add-ons, embarrassing rites, or mere formalities. In consumer Christianity, services are built for entertainment and the ordinances are squeezed out. But Christ did not command us to build engaging programs; he commanded baptism and communion. To neglect what Christ commanded is to shape the church after human preference rather than divine appointment.