In the Bible, the term “ordinance” refers to a law or regulation established by God, often associated with religious practices or moral guidelines that His followers are expected to observe. It signifies mandates such as those given through Moses, which were intended to govern the conduct of the Israelite community in their relationship with God and each other.
Scripture
14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”
15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.
16 On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you.
17 And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.
18 In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.
19 For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land.
20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread.”
Biblical Meaning of Ordinance
The concept of “ordinance” in the Bible encompasses both ceremonial and moral laws intended to guide believers in maintaining a righteous life and fostering a community that reflects God’s character. These ordinances serve to express God’s holiness and order, emphasizing the significance of obedience. For example, in Exodus 12:24-25, the Passover is described as an ordinance for Israel, symbolizing God’s deliverance and requiring the Israelites to observe it as a perpetual reminder of His covenant. Such ordinances not only establish rituals but also highlight the importance of remembrance and identity in God’s saving acts throughout history.
Moreover, ordinances in the Bible are intertwined with the moral and ethical expectations set forth in texts like Leviticus 18:4-5, where God commands Israel to observe His statutes and judgments. These laws serve to distinguish the people of Israel from surrounding nations, reflecting the calling to holiness and righteousness. The significance of these ordinances transcends mere observance; they foster a deeper relationship with God through obedience and devotion, aligning believers’ lives with divine principles. In the New Testament, the concept of ordinance is further expanded through Christ’s teachings and the establishment of new commandments that emphasize love and grace (John 13:34). Thus, the biblical meaning of ordinances reflects a commitment to living in accordance with God’s will and experiencing His transformative power in the life of the believer.
In addition to the ceremonial and moral laws, ordinances in the Bible represent a structure for communal worship and societal ethics that promote unity among believers. For instance, the ordination of priests and the establishment of various feasts, such as the Day of Atonement or the Feast of Tabernacles, highlight the need for collective observance and participation in God’s covenant relationship. These ordinances not only define the parameters of worship but also serve as a means of teaching the next generation about God’s faithfulness and the importance of community in following His statutes.
Furthermore, as reflected in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, the concept of ordinance transcends Jewish law and enters the realm of Christian practice. Paul often emphasizes adjustments in understanding these ordinances post-Christ’s resurrection, illustrating that while the intent remains—living in obedience to God’s commands—the overarching theme now incorporates grace, faith, and spirit-led living. For example, Paul’s letters frequently stress the importance of adhering to the spirit of the law rather than legalistic ritual, encouraging believers to embody the principles of love, kindness, and humility as reflective of Christ’s love for humanity. Consequently, the biblical notion of ordinance continues to evolve, inviting believers into a dynamic relationship with God that balances obedience with the transformative power of His grace.
Divine Commandments and Instructions
In the biblical context, ordinances often refer to divine commandments or instructions given by God to guide the behavior and practices of His people. These ordinances serve as a framework for moral and ethical living, establishing standards that reflect God’s holiness and righteousness. They are intended to shape the community’s identity and relationship with God, emphasizing obedience and reverence.
Rituals and Ceremonial Practices
Ordinances can also denote specific rituals and ceremonial practices that are integral to worship and community life. These practices often symbolize deeper spiritual truths and serve as a means of connecting the faithful with God. Through these ordinances, believers participate in acts of devotion that reinforce their faith and communal bonds, highlighting the importance of tradition and remembrance in the life of the community.
Covenant Relationship
Another broader meaning of ordinances in the Bible relates to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Ordinances are often seen as expressions of the commitments made within this covenant, outlining the responsibilities and expectations for both parties. They signify the mutual agreement to uphold the terms of the relationship, emphasizing loyalty, faithfulness, and the transformative power of divine grace in the lives of believers.
How to Cultivate a Heart of Worship in Faith
Cultivating a heart of worship is a beautiful journey that invites us to draw closer to God in every aspect of our lives. It begins with intentionality—setting aside time each day to connect with Him through prayer, scripture reading, and reflection. As you immerse yourself in His Word, allow the truths of His love and grace to resonate within you, transforming your perspective and deepening your gratitude. Worship isn’t confined to Sunday services; it can be expressed in the mundane moments of life—whether it’s through a song that stirs your spirit, a walk in nature that reminds you of His creation, or acts of kindness that reflect His love to others. Remember, worship is about the posture of your heart, so approach each day with an attitude of reverence and joy, seeking to honor Him in all you do. As you practice this, you’ll find that your heart becomes a sanctuary of praise, drawing you ever closer to the One who is worthy of all adoration.
Bible References to Ordinance Meaning:
Leviticus 18:1-5: 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God.
3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.
4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.
5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
Numbers 9:1-14: 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2 “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.
3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.
4 So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover.
5 And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did.
6 And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
7 And those men said to him, “We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the Lord’s offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?”
8 And Moses said to them, “Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”
9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
10 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the Lord.”
11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall keep it.
12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it.
13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the Lord’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
14 And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.”
Deuteronomy 6:1-9: 1 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it,”
2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Joshua 24:25-28: 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem.
26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God.
27 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.”
28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.
1 Samuel 30:25-31: 25 And from that day forward he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.”
27 to those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, to those in Jattir,
28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa,
29 and to those in Racal, to those in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, to those in the cities of the Kenites,
30 also to those in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men had roamed.
31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men had roamed.
2 Kings 17:34-40: 34 To this day they do according to their former manner. They do not fear the Lord, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.
35 The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, “You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them,
36 but you shall fear the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice.
37 And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do. You shall not fear other gods.
38 And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, and you shall not fear other gods.
39 but you shall fear the Lord your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
40 but they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God.
2 Chronicles 33:8: 8 and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land that I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will be careful to do all that I have commanded them, all the law, the statutes, and the rules given through Moses.
Nehemiah 10:28-39: 28 The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,
29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.
30 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.
31 And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
32 We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
33 for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
34 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
36 also to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns.
37 and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.
39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Psalm 119:1-8: 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.
3 They do not walk in the way of the wicked.
4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
Isaiah 24:5-6: 5 The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,
and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;
therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,
and few men are left.
Jeremiah 31:35-37: 35 Thus says the Lord,
who gives the sun for light by day
and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name:
36 “If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.”
37 Thus says the Lord: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20: 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Daniel 9:10-11: 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.
Malachi 4:4: 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”
Matthew 28:18-20: 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Luke 1:5-6: 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.
John 14:15-21: 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
Acts 2:42-47: 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Romans 13:1-7: 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24 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.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Ephesians 2:14-16: 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Colossians 2:13-15: 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Hebrews 9:1-10: Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.
2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.
3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place,
4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties.
7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing.
9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
1 Peter 2:13-17: 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.