WRITINGS
The ordinances of the church also called sacraments, are outward rites and symbolic observances given by Jesus and are considered outward signs of the inward work of the Holy Spirit in our born-again and ongoing regenerative experience. The term “ordinance” comes from the Latin ordo, meaning “row” or “order,” and by this etymology, it also means “an authoritative decree or direction.” Sacrament originally meant “an oath of allegiance” and was taken similarly by newly enlisted soldiers.
There has been much written about why the Lord gave Israel laws separating the clean from unclean, the holy from the unholy, generally categorized in Judaism as the “laws of Kashrut.” Interesting, the Lord’s categorization predates the Mosaic Law, as it is written, “You [Noah] shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female” (Genesis 7:2, NKJV).
There is an interesting correlation in scripture between water and blood; as it is written, “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood” (1 John 5:6, NKJV). Water and blood. Together, these are a mystery. Let’s discover their significance.
