Three ordinances: believer's baptism (trine immersion), Lord's Supper, anointing for healing
The Brethren in Christ practice three ordinances (not sacraments, which connotes ex opere operato efficacy): believer's baptism, the Lord's Supper, and anointing with oil for healing.
Baptism is trine (three-fold) forward immersion—the believer is immersed forward three times (once for Father, once for Son, once for Holy Spirit) in the name of the Trinity. This is distinctive to Brethren traditions and symbolic of the Trinity, death and resurrection, and complete commitment. Baptism is for believers only, administered to those who have consciously believed in Christ and is a public ordinance in the congregation.
The Lord's Supper is understood as a memorial and symbolic representation of Christ's death and covenant communion with Christ and fellow believers. The denomination does not teach transubstantiation or consubstantiation but affirms spiritual presence of Christ and real communion. Anointing with oil (James 5:14-16) is practiced for healing and wholeness, with the ordained anointing the sick while the church prays.
Key Distinctions
- Term used:
- ordinances (not sacraments; efficacy through faith, not ex opere operato)
- Sacrament count:
- three: baptism, Lord's Supper, anointing with oil
- Baptism mode:
- trine immersion (three forward immersions in name of Trinity)
- Baptism recipients:
- believers only (believer's baptism; not infant baptism)
- Eucharist presence:
- memorial and spiritual communion; not transubstantiation
Scripture References
Sources
- Brethren in Christ Church Manual (sacraments/ordinances)
- BIC catechisms and doctrinal statements
- Brethren in Christ Articles of Faith and Doctrine