Evergreen Faith : The Ordinances of the Church

A Message from FA Memphis

The ordinances of the church: Water Baptism and Holy Communion: are sacred acts of obedience established by Jesus. In the Assemblies of God tradition, these aren't means of salvation but outward expressions of an inward faith. Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection in Christ, while Communion serves as a memorial of His sacrifice and a celebration of His promised return for the global family of believers.

Bible Verses

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, NIV)

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4, NIV)

"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV)

What Are Ordinances?

When we talk about "ordinances" in the church, it can sound like a heavy, legal word. But in our family at Boundless Online Church, we like to keep things simple. An ordinance is basically a practice that Jesus specifically told us to do. It’s a physical act that points to a spiritual reality.

Think of it like a wedding ring. The ring itself doesn’t make you married: the commitment and the covenant do. But that ring is a powerful, visible sign to the whole world of the love and the promise you’ve made. That’s exactly what the two ordinances of the church are: visible signs of an invisible work God has already done in your heart.

In the Assemblies of God, we recognize two specific ordinances: Water Baptism and Holy Communion. These aren't just "churchy" traditions; they are moments where we stop and align our physical lives with the truth of what Jesus did for us.

The First Ordinance: Water Baptism

Baptism is a big milestone in the life of a believer. If you’ve decided to follow Jesus, baptism is your "public announcement." You’re telling your family, your friends, and even the spiritual world that you belong to Christ.

We practice baptism by immersion. That means we go all the way under the water and come back up. Why? Because it’s a beautiful picture of what happened when you gave your life to Jesus.

Going under the water represents being buried with Christ. It’s the end of the "old you": the person who was weighed down by sin, mistakes, and a life apart from God. Coming out of the water represents being raised to a brand-new life. It’s fresh, it’s clean, and it’s powered by the Holy Spirit.

For our global audience: maybe you’re a caregiver who hasn’t left the house in weeks, or you’re working the late shift and feel disconnected: know that baptism is about your identity. It doesn't save you (only Jesus does that!), but it confirms that you are part of the family. If you haven’t been baptized yet, we want to help you figure out how to take that step, even in a digital-first world.

The Second Ordinance: Holy Communion

The second ordinance is Holy Communion, sometimes called the Lord’s Supper. This is a meal of remembrance.

Jesus started this on the night He was betrayed. He took bread and juice and told His disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of Him.

When we take Communion, we are doing three things:

1. We look back: We remember the body of Jesus that was broken for our healing and the blood of Jesus that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

2. We look inward: We take a moment to check our hearts, making sure we are living in a way that honors Him and that we are at peace with our brothers and sisters.

3. We look forward: This is the part people sometimes forget. Every time we take Communion, we are proclaiming that Jesus is coming back. It’s a "prophecy" of the great feast we will have with Him one day.

For those of you in our Boundless community who might be in a hospice setting or living in an area where you can't get to a physical church building, Communion is something you can participate in wherever you are. The elements: the bread and the "fruit of the vine": are symbols. What matters is the heart behind it and our connection to the "divine nature" of our Lord.

Why Do These Practices Matter?

You might wonder, "If I’m already saved, why do I need to do these things?"

That’s a fair question. The reason we emphasize the ordinances is that they keep our faith "evergreen." They keep us grounded. Life gets busy, especially for our shift workers, parents, and those managing disabilities. It’s easy to let the "spiritual" stuff fade into the background of a busy Tuesday.

Ordinances force us to stop.

When you stand in the water of baptism, you can’t ignore the reality of your new life. When you hold the bread of Communion, you can’t ignore the cost of your freedom. These acts strengthen our faith and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

At Boundless Online Church, we help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. We believe that whether you are sitting in a pew in Memphis or watching a stream from a laptop halfway across the world, these ordinances connect us to the global Body of Christ. They remind us that we aren't alone. We are part of a massive, Spirit-empowered family that spans the entire globe.

A Safe Space for Your Questions

Maybe you have questions about how these ordinances work, especially if you’re new to the faith or coming from a different background. That’s okay! We love questions here.

We also want to make sure you feel safe. Whether you’re exploring technology to stay connected with your family or looking for ways to grow your faith, we’re here to provide practical guidance. We focus on tech safety and healthy boundaries because we want your online experience with the church to be a blessing, not a burden.

If you’re wondering, "Can I take Communion at home?" or "How do I get baptized if I’m housebound?" we want to talk through those things with you. You don't have to have it all figured out to be part of what God is doing.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the Church and the sacred moments You’ve given us to remember Your love. We thank You for the water of baptism that marks our new beginning and the bread and cup of Communion that sustain us on the journey. I pray for my friend reading this right now. May they feel Your presence, whether they are at home, at work, or in a hospital room. Remind them that they belong to You and that Your grace is boundless. Amen.

Next Steps

Faith isn't meant to be lived in isolation. We invite you to dive deeper with us.

• Join a Group: If you want to talk more about these truths, check out our Bible Study Club or our Welcome Center.

• Learn More: Read more about what it means to belong in our post on Assemblies of God Membership 101.

• Rep the Ministry: Check out our store for gear like the Boundless Water Bottle or a comfortable sweatshirt to wear while you join us online.

Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.