Passover observed once yearly as Lord's Supper; foot washing; Days of Unleavened Bread
Armstrongism does not use the term 'sacraments' but observes certain ordinances. Most distinctive is the annual observance of the Passover as the Lord's Supper, celebrated once per year on the anniversary of the Exodus, not weekly or monthly. Using unleavened bread and wine, the Passover is a memorial of Christ's death. Foot washing is also practiced, following John 13. Additionally, Armstrongism observes the seven annual feasts of the Old Testament—the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles—as continuing obligations for Christian believers.
Baptism is by immersion upon repentance and belief, administered to adults only. Unlike sacramental theology, these ordinances are not understood as conveying grace but as obedient responses to God's instructions and memorials of biblical events. The weekly Sabbath (not Sunday) is also part of the ordinance system, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
Key Distinctions
- Term used:
- ordinances
- Sacrament count:
- none in traditional sense; Passover (once yearly) plus foot washing
- Baptism mode:
- immersion
- Baptism recipients:
- adults upon repentance
- Eucharist presence:
- symbolic memorial at Passover; unleavened bread and wine once yearly
Scripture References
Sources
- Herbert W. Armstrong, The Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread
- Philadelphia Church of God doctrinal statements