Sacraments & Ordinances

Jehovah's Witnesses do not recognize sacraments in the traditional sense. They practice two significant religious observances. First, baptism by full immersion is administered to those who have dedicated themselves to Jehovah and been examined by congregation elders; it is understood as a public symbol of one's dedication to Jehovah, not as a sacrament that conveys grace ex opere operato. Infant baptism is rejected; only those old enough to make a personal dedication can be baptized.

Second, the Memorial of Christ's Death—sometimes called the Lord's Evening Meal—is observed once a year on the evening of Nisan 14 (following the Jewish lunisolar calendar), the anniversary of the Last Supper. Unleavened bread and red wine are passed around to those present; however, only those who believe themselves to be of the 144,000 anointed heavenly class (a very small minority today) partake of the emblems. The vast majority of those attending observe without eating or drinking. This annual Memorial is the most sacred observance in the JW calendar and typically draws the largest attendance of any meeting.