Ceremonies

Formal outward practices and rituals symbolising or marking events of importance or spiritual significance. Although they had their place in biblical cultural life, they may become empty and hypocritical, losing their deep spiritual meaning. Ceremonies thus become symbolic of empty legalism which should be rejected.

Ceremonies marking important events

Different stages in life

Genesis 50:7, Genesis 50:10–11; Exodus 13:2; Judges 14:10; Jeremiah 34:5; John 2:1–2, John 20:4

Temple worship

Nehemiah 13:9 See also 1 Kings 9:25; 1 Chronicles 16:40; 2 Chronicles 8:13, 2 Chronicles 29:15PSA 2 Chronicles 5:7, Psalm 118:19–20, Psalm 138:2 Acts 3:1

Then I ordered that the rooms be purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored to them, along with the grain offerings and frankincense.

Appointing leaders

Acts 13:2–3 See also Leviticus 8:30; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39; Acts 6:5–6, Acts 9:17; 1 Timothy 4:14

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Historical events

Ruth 4:7–8 See also Genesis 35:14; Exodus 12:14, Exodus 13:9; Joshua 4:4–9; 1 Samuel 7:12; Luke 22:19 parallel 1 Corinthians 11:24–25

Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”

Ceremonies as spiritual symbols of God's presence

Matthew 18:20 There is a sense in which any gathering of believers is ceremonially symbolic of God's presence. See also Exodus 30:25–29; Numbers 4:4, Numbers 10:35–36 The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God's presence among his people. It, and its location, the tabernacle and later, the Most Holy Place, were therefore centres of the most elaborate ceremonies; 1 Kings 8:3–6 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:4–7; 1 Kings 8:29 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:20; 1 Chronicles 6:49; Hebrews 9:1–7

For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Initiation ceremonies

Circumcision

Leviticus 12:3 See also Genesis 17:10; Joshua 5:2; Luke 2:21–24

And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.

Baptism

Matthew 28:19 See also Acts 2:38, Acts 16:33–34; 1 Peter 3:21

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,

Ceremonies relating to ritual cleansing

Exodus 30:18–20 See also Leviticus 14:14–18, Leviticus 16:26, Leviticus 22:6; Numbers 19:7; Hebrews 9:10 Many aspects of ritual activity were added to the biblical ones in Jewish laws and regulations.

“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die.

Ceremonies relating to atonement

Leviticus 17:11 See also Leviticus 4:20, Leviticus 8:30–35, Leviticus 16:10; Hebrews 5:1

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

Ceremonies conveying spiritual realities

Passover: a ceremony symbolising salvation history

Luke 22:15–16 See also 2 Kings 23:21–22; Ezra 6:21–22; Matthew 26:17 parallels Mark 14:12, Luke 22:7–9

And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering. For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Baptism: a ceremony symbolising new birth

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Marriage: a ceremony symbolising faithful partnership

Matthew 19:6 parallel Mark 10:9; Ephesians 5:25–28; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 19:7

Ceremonies which lapsed into hypocrisy

Washing ceremonies without accompanying inner cleanliness

Matthew 23:25 See also Matthew 23:27–28; Mark 7:4

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Sacrificial ceremonies without inner repentance

Amos 5:21–22 See also 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16–17; Isaiah 1:11–17; Hosea 8:11–13; Malachi 1:8

“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.

Initiation ceremonies without real commitment

1 Corinthians 7:19 See also Acts 15:1, Acts 15:8–10; Romans 2:28–29; Galatians 5:6

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

Jesus Christ brings freedom from meaningless ceremonies

Galatians 5:1 See also Galatians 4:8–10; Ephesians 2:14–18; Colossians 2:13–23; Hebrews 7:18–19

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.