Ceremonies

Ceremonies marking important events

Different stages in life

Ge 50:7; Ge 50:10–11; Ex 13:2; Jdg 14:10; Je 34:5; Jn 2:1–2; Jn 20:4

Temple worship

Nehemiah 13:9 LEB

And I spoke in order, and they cleansed the chambers. Then I returned the objects of the house of God—the grain offering and the frankincense.

See also 1 Ki 9:25; 1 Ch 16:40; 2 Ch 8:13; 2 Ch 29:15

Some psalms include excerpts from temple liturgy relating to parts of temple-based worship ceremonies:

Ps 5:7; Ps 118:19–20; Ps 138:2

Acts 3:1 LEB

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Appointing leaders

Acts 13:2–3 LEB

And while they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them away.

See also Le 8:30; 1 Sa 16:13; 1 Ki 1:39; Ac 6:5–6; Ac 9:17; 1 Ti 4:14

Historical events

Ruth 4:7–8 LEB

(Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the kinsman-redemption and transfer of property: to confirm the matter, a man removed his sandal and gave it to his fellow countryman. This was the manner of attesting in Israel.) So the redeemer said to Boaz, “Acquire it for yourself,” and he removed his sandal.

See also Ge 35:14; Ex 12:14; Ex 13:9; Jos 4:4–9; 1 Sa 7:12; Lk 22:19

Ceremonies as spiritual symbols of God’s presence

Mt 18:20 There is a sense in which any gathering of believers is ceremonially symbolic of God’s presence.

See also Ex 30:25–29; Nu 4:4; Nu 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 Ki 8:3–6; 1 Ki 8:29; 1 Ch 6:49; Heb 9:1–7

Initiation ceremonies

Circumcision

Leviticus 12:3 LEB

And on the eighth day his foreskin’s flesh shall be circumcised.

See also Ge 17:10; Jos 5:2; Lk 2:21–24

Baptism

Matthew 28:19 LEB

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

See also Ac 2:38; Ac 16:33–34; 1 Pe 3:21

Ceremonies relating to ritual cleansing

Exodus 30:18–20 LEB

“And you will make a basin of bronze and its bronze stand for washing, and you will put it between the tent of assembly and the altar, and you will put water there. And Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet with it. When they come to the tent of assembly, they will wash with water so that they do not die, or when they approach the altar to serve by turning to smoke an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

See also Le 14:14–18; Le 16:26; Le 22:6; Nu 19:7; Heb 9:10 Many aspects of ritual activity were added to the biblical ones in Jewish laws and regulations.

Ceremonies relating to atonement

Leviticus 17:11 LEB

Indeed the flesh’s life is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives, because it is the blood with the life that makes atonement.

See also Le 4:20; Le 8:30–35; Le 16:10; Heb 5:1

Ceremonies conveying spiritual realities

Passover: a ceremony symbolising salvation history

Luke 22:15–16 LEB

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

See also 2 Ki 23:21–22; Ezr 6:21–22; Mt 26:17

Baptism: a ceremony symbolising new birth

John 3:5 LEB

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.

See also Ac 10:48; Ac 22:16; Ga 3:27; Col 2:12

Marriage: a ceremony symbolising faithful partnership

Mt 19:6; Eph 5:25–28; Heb 13:4; Re 19:7

Ceremonies which lapsed into hypocrisy

Washing ceremonies without accompanying inner cleanliness

Matthew 23:25 LEB

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence!

See also Mt 23:27–28; Mk 7:4

Sacrificial ceremonies without inner repentance

Amos 5:21–22 LEB

“I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your assemblies. Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them, and I will not look at the fellowship offerings of your fattened animals.

See also 1 Sa 15:22; Ps 51:16–17; Is 1:11–17; Ho 8:11–13; Mal 1:8

Initiation ceremonies without real commitment

1 Corinthians 7:19 LEB

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

See also Ac 15:1; Ac 15:8–10; Ro 2:28–29; Ga 5:6

Jesus Christ brings freedom from meaningless ceremonies

Galatians 5:1 LEB

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

See also Ga 4:8–10; Eph 2:14–18; Col 2:13–23; Heb 7:18–19