Q & A: What Does Reverend Deal Say?
‘The Ordinances are sometimes called Sacraments’
Question: Were there any ordinances commanded by Jesus?
Answer: There were two ordinances commanded by Jesus. The ordinances are: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The ordinances are outward rites or symbolic observances commanded by Jesus. The term ‘ordinance’ comes from the Latin word ordo, which means ‘something commanded and enforced by the proper authority.’ The ordinances are sometimes called Sacraments. A sacrament is to take an oath of obedience. Jesus established Water Baptism in ‘The Great Commission’ (Matt 28:19 & Mark 16:16). Baptism is the immersion of a believer in the water. It symbolizes the death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection of a new life through Jesus Christ.
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was clearly and unmistakably commanded by Jesus during His last Passover, where He instituted the ordinance of taking the bread and the fruit of the vine as a memorial of His atoning death (Luke 22:19). The Lord’s Supper is found in the teaching of the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Paul mentions a warning against ‘eating and drinking unworthily’. In my opinion, due to misinterpretation of Scripture, many believers, ministers and pastors as well have abstain from taking the Lord’s Supper. One must look at the interpretation of verbs and settings of when the writings took place. In this case the word ‘unworthily’ has to do with the manner of how you are partaking, not the unworthiness of the persons. Without the help of Jesus will we ever be worthy to commune with Him? Everything Jesus has is for the taking. Why would a forgiving, loving, and a personal God with hold His fullness from you? There is power in His broken body and in His shed blood. Accept what the Lord has to offer. This is a decision that will carry your life through.
Reverend Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Reverend Deal can be reached in care at the Westside Gazette, 545 N.W. Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311, or email at david.Deal55@gmail.com
