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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and a few of the Protestant denominations use the term "sacrament" to refer to "a sign/rite which results in God's grace being conveyed to the individual." Typ...
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Philip Davies
Supporter
The word "ordinance" comes from the Latin "ordinans," meaning to put in order, to regulate, to rule. The word "sacrament" comes from the Latin "sacrare," meaning to consecrate, to make holy. This makes the difference between the two words clear. A sacrament does something to you, it makes you holy. An ordinance does nothing to you. It is merely a prescription for the way something in done and shows the right way of doing a thing. For example, those who believe the Lord's Supper is a sacrament believe that by taking part, it makes you holy by conveying grace to you. Those who believe it is an ordinance believe it makes no change in you; it does not make you holy, and it does not convey grace to you. It is merely the method we are given to remember what Jesus has done for us. Regards, Philip
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