christian ordinances, in the largest sense, are any institutions, or regulations of divine appointment, established as means of grace for the good of men, or as acts of worship for the honor of god. in that sense, not only are baptism and the lord’s supper ordinances, but preaching, prayer, hearing the word, fasting, and thanksgiving are also ordinances, since all are of divine appointment. but, in a narrower sense, it is common to say that baptism and the lord’s supper are the only ordinances appointed by christ to be observed by his churches. these are the only emblematic and commemorative rites enjoined upon his disciples, by which they are to be distinguished, and he is to be honored. they are the two symbols and witnesses of the new covenant, the two monuments of the new dispensation.

baptism is the immersion, or dipping, of [p. 19] a candidate in water, on a profession of his faith in christ and on evidence of regeneration; the baptism to be ministered in, or into, the name of the father, the son, and holy spirit. it represents the burial and resurrection of christ, and in a figure declares the candidate’s death to sin and the world, and his rising to a new life. it also proclaims the washing of regeneration, and professes the candidate’s hope of a resurrection from the dead, through him into the likeness of whose death he is buried in baptism.

the lord’s supper is a provision of bread and wine, used to represent the body and the blood of christ, partaken of by members of the church assembled for that purpose; in which service they commemorate the love of christ exhibited in his death for them, and profess their faith and participation in the merits of his sacrifice, as the only ground of their hope of eternal life.

note 1.—no person can rightfully or properly become a church-member except he be first baptized, as the distinguishing mark and profession of his discipleship.

note 2.—the supper is a church ordinance, and therefore is the privilege of church-members only. therefore, also, since baptism precedes church-membership, it must precede and be prerequisite to the lord’s supper.

[p. 20]note 3.—since the supper is distinctively a church ordinance, it is to be observed by churches only, and not by individuals; neither in private places, nor in sick-rooms, nor on social occasions, and not by companies of disciples other than churches. but a church may by appointment, and in its official capacity, meet in a private house, a sick-room, or wherever it may elect, and there observe the supper.

note 4.—both ordinances are ordinarily and properly administered by ordained and accredited ministers; but both would be equally valid if administered by unordained persons, should occasion require and the church so direct. as to the qualifications of the administrator, the new testament is silent, except that he should be a disciple.

note 5.—as to the time, place, and frequency of the ordinances, no scriptural directions are given. these are left optional with the churches. they are usually observed on sundays, but not necessarily. as to the supper, our churches have very generally come to observe it on the first sunday of each month.

note 6.—the participation of the elements in the supper should be done according to the special direction of christ, the head of the body. “this do in remembrance of me.” it is not, therefore, a test or token of christian fellowship, except incidentally. all thought and sympathy in the service should be centered on him who is “the living bread,” and not fixed on others.

note 7.—the ordinances are not sacraments, as taught by some, conveying effectual grace to the soul and imparting spiritual life. but as divinely appointed means of grace, their importance must not be undervalued. they cannot be neglected without suffering serious harm and incurring the gravest responsibility.

note 8.—baptism is not essential to salvation, for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of “baptismal [p. 21] regeneration”; but it is essential to obedience, since christ has commanded it. it is also essential to a public confession of christ before the world, and to membership in the church which is his body. and no true lover of his lord will refuse these acts of obedience and tokens of affection.