Ceremonies

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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.

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Ceremonies marking important events

Different stages in life

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Temple worship

Nehemiah 13:9 NKJV
Then I commanded them to cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
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Some psalms include excerpts from temple liturgy relating to parts of temple-based worship ceremonies:

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Acts 3:1 NKJV
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Appointing leaders

Acts 13:2–3 NKJV
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
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Historical events

Ruth 4:7–8 NKJV
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.
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Ceremonies as spiritual symbols of God’s presence

There is a sense in which any gathering of believers is ceremonially symbolic of God’s presence.
See also ; ; 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; ; ; ;

Initiation ceremonies

Circumcision

Leviticus 12:3 NKJV
And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
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Baptism

Matthew 28:19 NKJV
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
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Ceremonies relating to ritual cleansing

Exodus 30:18–20 NKJV
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die.
See also ; ; ; ; Many aspects of ritual activity were added to the biblical ones in Jewish laws and regulations.

Ceremonies relating to atonement

Leviticus 17:11 NKJV
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
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Ceremonies conveying spiritual realities

Passover: a ceremony symbolising salvation history

Luke 22:15–16 NKJV
Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
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Baptism: a ceremony symbolising new birth

John 3:5 NKJV
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
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Marriage: a ceremony symbolising faithful partnership

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Ceremonies which lapsed into hypocrisy

Washing ceremonies without accompanying inner cleanliness

Matthew 23:25 NKJV
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
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Sacrificial ceremonies without inner repentance

Amos 5:21–22 NKJV
“I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
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Initiation ceremonies without real commitment

1 Corinthians 7:19 NKJV
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
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Jesus Christ brings freedom from meaningless ceremonies

Galatians 5:1 NKJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
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