Ordinances and sacraments are important practices in the Christian faith that are instituted by Christ and serve as outward signs of inward grace. While there are similarities between the two, there are also key differences that set them apart.
A sacrament refers to a sacred religious ceremony or ritual that imparts divine grace directly to the participant. Sacraments are believed to have been instituted by Christ himself and are common across many Christian denominations. The two sacraments nearly unanimously recognized are baptism and Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. Some denominations recognize up to seven sacraments, including confirmation, penance, anointing of the sick, ordination, and marriage. Sacraments are tangible means through which God’s grace is mysteriously imparted to the believer.
The key aspects of a sacrament are:
- Instituted by Christ
- An outward/visible sign of an inward/invisible grace
- Imparts sanctifying grace
- Performed by a qualified minister of the church
An ordinance, on the other hand, refers to practices established by Christ in the Gospels that serve as regular elements of Christian worship. The key ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. While some Christian traditions refer to ordinances as “sacraments,” most reserve the term “sacrament” for rites believed to impart sanctifying grace.
The key differences between sacraments and ordinances are:
- Sacraments are believed to impart sanctifying grace, while ordinances are symbols and reminders of grace already given.
- Sacraments must be administered by ordained clergy, while ordinances can be administered by any believer.
- Only baptism and the Lord’s Supper are considered ordinances, while sacraments vary by denomination.
While sacraments and ordinances share similarities in pointing to spiritual realities, sacraments emphasize God’s mysterious work through tangible means, while ordinances emphasize the believer’s obedience and remembrance. Understanding these differences can bring helpful insight into the practices and theological perspectives of various Christian traditions.
Sacraments in Depth
As mentioned above, sacraments refer to religious rituals or ceremonies that are understood to impart sanctifying grace to the recipient. The number of recognized sacraments varies by Christian denomination. Here is more detail on how sacraments are understood in different traditions:
Roman Catholicism
The Roman Catholic church recognizes seven sacraments:
- Baptism – Imparts sanctifying grace, forgiving original sin and all personal sins. Necessary for salvation.
- Confirmation – Increases sanctifying grace received at baptism through the laying on of hands and anointing. Perfected by the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Eucharist – Christ becomes truly present in the bread and wine which become his Body and Blood. Nourishes sanctifying grace.
- Reconciliation (Penance) – Forgives sins committed after baptism and reconciles the believer to God and the Church through confession.
- Anointing of the Sick – Imparts sanctifying grace through anointing and God’s healing presence. Forgives sins.
- Matrimony – Imparts sanctifying grace to husband and wife for the duties of marriage and family life.
- Holy Orders – Imparts sanctifying grace and spiritual authority through ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop.
Catholics believe the sacraments were instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. They are necessary for salvation and channel grace through material means. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.”
Eastern Orthodox
Like Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes seven sacraments:
- Baptism
- Chrismation (Confirmation)
- Eucharist
- Repentance (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Ordination
The Orthodox understanding is similar to the Catholic view – the sacraments are visible means through which God mysteriously imparts his grace. However, the Orthodox do not define sacraments using scholastic terms like “ex opere operato” as in Catholicism.
Protestantism
The Protestant Reformers rejected the notion of sacraments imparting grace ex opere operato. Most Protestant groups recognize only two sacraments directly instituted by Christ – baptism and the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper. However, they do not see these rites as imparting sanctifying grace, but rather as ordinances marking the faith of the believer.
Some Protestant groups like Lutherans and Anglicans recognize more than two sacraments, though fewer than seven. The Anglican Book of Common Prayer lists five:
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Penance
- Ordination
The degree of sacramental theology varies widely in Protestantism. But overall, Protestants place more emphasis on the personal faith of the believer rather than ex opere operato impartation of grace through material substances.
Ordinances in Depth
Christian ordinances refer to practices instituted by Christ in the Gospels that serve as rituals and symbols by which believers remember Christ’s death and resurrection. The two nearly universally recognized ordinances are baptism and the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper.
Baptism
Baptism is practiced as a symbolic initiation and public declaration of Christian faith. Nearly all Christian denominations practice some form of water baptism, though methods vary – such as immersion, affusion (pouring), or aspersion (sprinkling).
Baptism is understood as:
- A sign of new life and regeneration through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5, John 3:5)
- A cleansing from sin (Acts 22:16)
- Union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4)
- Union with the church as Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:3)
For groups who do not believe it imparts sanctifying grace, baptism is understood as an important symbolic ordinance instituted by Christ to publicly identify with him and formally join the church.
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper, also called Communion or the Eucharist, is a commemorative meal instituted by Christ on the night before his crucifixion. It points back to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and looks forward to the wedding feast of the Lamb:
- Bread and wine symbolize Christ’s body and blood given for salvation (Matthew 26:26-28)
- A proclamation of Christ’s death until he returns (1 Corinthians 11:26)
- A sign of our communion with Christ and all believers, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated regularly by most Christian groups as a commemoration of Christ’s atoning work. It emphasizes active, obedient remembrance of Christ’s work rather than passively receiving grace.
Key Differences Between Sacraments and Ordinances
While sacraments and ordinances have some overlap in Christian practice, the key differences are:
- Grace: Sacraments impart sanctifying grace ex opere operato to participants, while ordinances are outward symbols and reminders of grace already given.
- Number: Only baptism and the Lord’s Supper are considered ordinances, while sacraments vary by denomination up to seven.
- Administration: Sacraments require administration by ordained clergy, while any Christian can administer ordinances.
- Origin: Ordinances were directly instituted by the example of Christ in the Gospels, while sacraments may also include practices not explicitly modeled by Jesus but traditionally instituted by the Church.
While subtle, these differences between ordinances and sacraments reflect the broader theological divide between Protestant understandings of regeneration by faith alone versus Catholic/Orthodox views of imparted grace. Understanding these differences provides helpful insight into the diversity of belief and practice within Christianity.
Significance for Christian Life
Whether understood as imparting grace or reminding of grace already given, sacraments and ordinances serve as tangible practices that point Christians to Christ and nurture Christian faith and devotion.
Through Baptism, Christians identify with Christ’s atoning work and are joined to the body of Christ. The Lord’s Supper provides ongoing remembrance and celebration of Christ’s sacrifice that brings salvation. These rites provide a rhythm of Christian devotion that serves as a means of God’s grace (in sacramental traditions), or an expression of faithful obedience to Christ’s example (in those who hold to ordinances).
While believers may differ on the exact nature and number of sacraments vs. ordinances, there is unity in recognizing the importance of baptism and the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper as instituted by Christ. Participation in these practices across Christian traditions provides a shared sense of identity in Christ’s death and resurrection. They remind Christians of the grace-filled foundation of their salvation and nurture ongoing devotion to Christ.
