Ordinance
Summary
An ordinance in Scripture refers to an established decree, statute, or ritual prescribed by divine or human authority, particularly religious ceremonies and legal requirements.
☩Divine Ordinances
The term ordinance applies to statutes and decrees established by God for His people, including the regulations governing the Passover, other festivals, and sacrificial worship. These ordinances defined how Israel was to approach God and live as His covenant people. The Passover was to be kept as "an ordinance forever," commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Such ordinances carried divine authority and required obedience as expressions of covenant faithfulness.
☩Limitations of Ordinances
While ordinances served important purposes in the old covenant, they were insufficient for salvation. The ceremonial ordinances—including dietary laws, ritual washings, and sacrifices—were "imposed until the time of reformation," pointing forward to Christ. Colossians speaks of the "handwriting of ordinances that was against us" being nailed to Christ's cross, indicating that believers are freed from bondage to external ceremonies as the basis of acceptance with God. The substance belongs to Christ, who fulfilled what the ordinances foreshadowed.
☩Civil Ordinances
Scripture also recognizes ordinances established by human governments. Believers are commanded to submit to "every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake," acknowledging civil authority as ordained by God for maintaining order and punishing wrongdoing. This submission is rendered not merely out of fear but as a matter of conscience before God, though it never supersedes obedience to God's direct commands.
Related Verses57 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ordinance," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).