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What the Bible says about Ordinance
(From Forerunner Commentary)

2 Chronicles 2:4

Some have thought that II Chronicles 2:4 proclaims that the new moons are to be an ordinance forever, similar to the weekly Sabbath and annual holy days. But the context reveals that this verse provides no such authority.

Solomon, writing to Huram (Hiram), the king of Tyre (verse 3), was explaining what he (Solomon) was doing and why Huram should deal with him in the same way he dealt with David, his father. It was not a general proclamation to Israel; Solomon is stating his intentions in the dedication of the Temple. It is Solomon who, in verse 4, declares this to be "forever to Israel." God was not making this proclamation, as He did Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy; the spokesman was "merely" a king, and there is no indication that God either inspired his statement or, on the other hand, condemned it. But Solomon's statement must be seen in the context of a letter about the Temple dedication: He is declaring that the things that were formerly carried out at the wilderness Tabernacle were now to be performed at the Temple.

An interlinear Bible reveals that the phrase "is an ordinance" is not in the original Hebrew (this is also italicized in the NKJV to show that the phrase was added). So the last part of the verse literally reads, "This forever to Israel," and, again, these were Solomon's words to Huram, and thus did not have the weight of when God declares something to be "perpetual" or "everlasting."

This verse does not add to what was already established by God in Numbers 29:6 regarding the new moons (which only gives instructions about the animal sacrifices, which do not have a literal place under the New Covenant). For more information, see the article entitled The New Moons.

David C. Grabbe

Acts 2:36-38

Clearly, baptism is a commanded ordinance for those who would be saved. Though it is strictly a physical ritual, our participation in it shows the sincerity of our repentance, our belief of His Word, our desire to obey God, and our acceptance of what Jesus Christ did on our behalf. It is such an important beginning to our Christian lives that Jesus says that "unless one is born of water [baptism] and the Spirit [by a laying on of hands (Hebrews 6:2; Acts 8:17)], he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Basic Doctrines: Water Baptism

1 Peter 2:13

Peter agrees perfectly with Paul (Ephesians 5:21). He agrees with Romans 13:1, where Paul says that all authority comes from God. We submit, not because we are weak, but out of respect for God because He governs everything. He either causes or permits things to take place.

The word "ordinance" is not translated well, as it does not mean "law." It is more closely related to the English word "institution"—"every institution of man." What is more interesting is that this word is rarely used in a context in relation to men. It is always used in relation to God! Peter means, then, that we must submit to every institution of man because it was instituted by God!

Notice this in context. Peter is referring to agencies of the Roman government—the Roman equivalents of the FBI, the CIA, the Department of Defense, etc. He is talking about the Roman equivalents of the Secret Police, the DEA, the NEA, or any other part of the Roman government that may have had some police or administrative power over the lives of Christians. Peter is saying that God permitted these institutions to be organized. We should not look upon them as if God condones them, but recognize that these governmental authorities exist for His ultimate purpose. They, therefore, have His authority behind them.

Americans love to rebel. They love to feel as though they are free and are just as good as anybody else. But it is not a matter of being "just as good as anybody else." In the eyes of God, His people are far better than anybody else! Yet, even those who are far better than anybody else in the eyes of God are still required by Him to submit to the authorities that He has permitted to be in place—whether in the civil government, church government, or family government!

John W. Ritenbaugh
Submitting (Part 2)


Find more Bible verses about Ordinance:
Ordinance {Nave's}
 




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