1. What Is a Church Ordinance?
A church ordinance is a symbolic act commanded by Christ, given to the church to observe continually as part of its public worship and testimony.
It must meet three requirements:
1. Instituted by Christ for His church.
2. Connected to the gospel, picturing His work of redemption.
3. Practiced by the early church as an ongoing command.
📌 By these tests, only baptism and the Lord’s Supper qualify.
2. Foot Washing in John 13
Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in John 13:4–15.
His purpose: to teach humility, servanthood, and love.
John 13:15 — “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
📌 Key: Jesus said it was an example, not an ordinance.
3. Lack of Command for Continual Practice
Baptism: “Go ye therefore… baptizing them” (Matt. 28:19).
Lord’s Supper: “This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24–25).
Foot washing: no command to practice it as a continual church ordinance.
4. No Gospel Connection
Baptism → pictures death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Lord’s Supper → pictures His body and blood given for us.
Foot washing → teaches humility and service, but does not symbolize redemption.
5. Apostolic Practice
Acts shows baptism and the Lord’s Supper practiced by the church.
Foot washing appears only as hospitality/service (1 Tim. 5:10), not as a public ordinance.
6. The True Lesson of Foot Washing
It teaches believers to:
1. Serve humbly — no task is too low for a Christian.
2. Live clean daily — John 13:10 points to daily cleansing through confession (1 John 1:9).
3. Follow Christ’s example — leadership means serving, not being served (Mark 10:45).
📌 Practical applications today:
A pastor or leader shows humility not by ritual foot washing, but by:
Washing the plates after a church fellowship.
Sweeping the floor or cleaning the church.
Serving food rather than waiting to be served.
Taking the lowest tasks gladly, instead of seeking honor.
👉 These acts fulfill the spirit of Jesus’ command far more than a one-time ritual.
✅ Summary
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances because they are commanded, gospel-centered, and practiced by the church.
Foot washing is not an ordinance but an example of humility and service.
True obedience to Christ’s example is shown not by ritual, but by daily acts of love and service, even in the smallest tasks.
