NINE CHURCH RITUALS

Thomas Kidd, a professor of history at Baylor University wrote, “Believer’s baptism gave Baptists their name, but it was one of nine church rituals that at least some Baptist churches across America practiced during the colonial era and into the 1800s. These included the Lord’s Supper, the laying on of hands (usually following baptism), the right hand of fellowship (for new members), the love feast, washing of feet, the kiss of charity, the fellowship of children or dry christening (often called “baby dedication” today), and anointing with oil. All of these practices had precedent in Scripture, though the extent to which they were mandatory was debated (except perhaps for baptism and the Lord’s Supper). James Leo Garrett (1925-2020) theology professor notes that all nine rites were practiced in churches associated with Separate Baptists and the Sandy Creek network of churches emanating from North Carolina in the mid-1700s.”

What is interesting to me is that all nine rituals require a tactile (sense of touch or touching) response of another person. We are in a different time for right now. I only pray when we can touch each other again that all nine of the practices will be back as well, not just the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Only the traditions of men (or a pandemic) would/could remove these wonderful and needed biblical practices from Christian procedure and convention.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus