Rituals

Rituals in the Old Testament

See category on Jewish Feasts.

Rituals in the Church Age

There are only two authorized rituals that the Bible spells out for the Church Age. These are Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is the most solemn phase of our worship in the Church Age.

Water Baptism

Water baptism of the believer illustrates the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that had already occurred at the point of salvation. Because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, at the moment that we believe, the Holy Spirit places all Church Age believers permanently into union with our Lord Jesus Christ thus becoming members of the Body of Christ. See category on Water Baptism.

The Lord’s Supper – The Eucharist

The Lord’s Supper is the continuation of the Passover. In that Jewish feast, a lamb was slain that represented the future Messiah, Jesus Christ who would come and die spiritually on the Cross for the sins of all humanity. In the Passover feast, the priest then ate part of the slain animal. We eat bread today in the Church Age and all believers can eat. Eating is a picture of faith. We drink the cup again signifying faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every believer is commanded to partake of the Lord’s Supper. 1 Cor. 11:24-25. See category on Communion, the Lord’s Supper.

“and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25, NASB)