Ordinances are worship and faith disciplines which have specifically been ordained by Jesus in his instructions to his followers. We believe the ordinances are symbolic of something that is happening in the believer as a direct act of God's Spirit. The symbolic act witnesses to an inner reality. These symbols affirm and remind us of what God has done in Christ.

Baptism by immersion is a first step for the new believer. The term baptism means to immerse. Immersion of believers is the only form of baptism that is indicated in the New Testament. The act of baptism represents dying to one's old, sinful life and being raised to new life in Christ, outwardly symbolizing the inward change that has occurred.  Through baptism, the new believer witnesses to a new spiritual dimension in his or her life. Baptism is also a witness to the church that the new believer is a part of its fellowship and work and to family and friends that he or she is now an active participant in the Christian community (Mark 1; Matthew 28; Acts 2:38).

The Lord's Supper, often called Communion, is an affirmation of oneness in Christ. In the sacramental churches, it is often called the Eucharist ("thanksgiving"), a reference to the thanks offered over the bread and the cup (1 Corinthians 10:16). The Lord's Supper and Communion are both terms used by Paul in his writings (1 Corinthians 11:20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, KJV). North Avenue Church of God traditionally celebrates the Lord’s Supper during Christmas, Maundy Thursday and once a quarter. The bread and the cup are symbolic of the grace experienced in the life of the believer.

Foot washing is an act symbolizing the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. Jesus did this with his disciples. Usually men assemble in one room and women in another. North Avenue Church of God celebrates this ordinance on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). Persons wash each other's feet, sing hymns, and give personal testimonies of God's blessing on their lives. Participation is not considered a test of faith. Rather, it is a spiritual experience which Christians are encouraged to observe and join.

Excerpted from Meet Us At The Cross by Oral & Laura Withrow, and Church of God Ministries