A "rite" in the context of the Bible refers to a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed by religious tradition or authority. Rites are often associated with worship, covenantal practices, and community identity within the biblical narrative. They serve as tangible expressions of faith, obedience, and remembrance of God's covenant with His people.

Old Testament Rites

In the Old Testament, rites are integral to the religious life of Israel. They are often detailed in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. These rites include sacrifices, offerings, and festivals, each with specific instructions given by God to Moses.

1. Sacrificial Rites: The sacrificial system is central to Old Testament worship. Leviticus 1-7 outlines various offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These sacrifices were a means of atonement and worship, symbolizing the people's repentance and dedication to God. Leviticus 1:3 states, "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without blemish. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted by the LORD."

2. Covenantal Rites: Circumcision is a significant rite marking the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Genesis 17:10-11 records God's command: "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

3. Festivals and Holy Days: The Israelites observed several festivals as rites of remembrance and celebration. Passover, for instance, commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:14). The Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles are other examples of communal rites that reinforced Israel's identity and dependence on God.

New Testament Rites

In the New Testament, rites continue to play a role, though they are often reinterpreted in light of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The focus shifts from the ceremonial law to the spiritual realities they foreshadowed.

1. Baptism: Baptism emerges as a significant rite in the New Testament, symbolizing repentance, cleansing, and identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17), and He commanded His disciples to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19). Acts 2:38 records Peter's instruction: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

2. The Lord's Supper: Also known as Communion, this rite commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples. It is a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of His death until He returns. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 recounts Paul's teaching on this rite: "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'"

3. Laying on of Hands: This rite is associated with the impartation of the Holy Spirit, healing, and commissioning for ministry. Acts 8:17 describes the apostles Peter and John laying hands on new believers in Samaria, who then received the Holy Spirit.

Rites and the Early Church

The early church maintained certain rites while adapting others to reflect the new covenant in Christ. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed the role of Old Testament rites for Gentile believers, emphasizing faith in Christ over adherence to the ceremonial law. This decision underscored the transformative nature of Christ's work and the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the body of Christ.

Rites in the biblical context serve as vital expressions of faith, community, and continuity with God's covenantal promises. They are both historical practices and spiritual symbols, pointing to deeper theological truths and the believer's relationship with God.(n.) The act of performing divine or solemn service, as established by law, precept, or custom; a formal act of religion or other solemn duty; a solemn observance; a ceremony; as, the rites of freemasonry.908. baptisma -- (the result of) a dipping or sinking
... result of) a dipping or sinking. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: baptisma
Phonetic Spelling: (bap'-tis-mah) Short Definition: the rite or ceremony ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/908.htm - 6k

1485. ethos -- custom, a usage (prescribed by habit or law)
... law). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ethos Phonetic Spelling:
(eth'-os) Short Definition: a custom Definition: a custom, habit; an institute, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1485.htm - 7k

4061. peritome -- circumcision
... circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people,
literally or figuratively) -- X circumcised, circumcision. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4061.htm - 7k

5656. abodah -- labor, service
... 4), construction (2), construction work (1), job (2), kind of service (2), labor
(9), laborious (12), labors (1), ministry (2), office (1), rite (3), rural (1 ...
/hebrew/5656.htm - 6k

Whether the Rite of Circumcision was Fitting?
... OF CIRCUMCISION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the rite of circumcision was fitting? Objection
1: It seems that the rite of circumcision was unfitting. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rite of circumcision.htm

Whether the Rite of this Sacrament is Appropriate?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether the rite of this sacrament is appropriate? Objection
1: It seems that the rite of this sacrament is not appropriate. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rite of this.htm

Of the Rite of this Sacrament (Six Articles)
... OF THE RITE OF THIS SACRAMENT (SIX ARTICLES). We have now to consider the Rite of
this sacrament, under which head there are six points of inquiry: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the rite of this.htm

Whether the Church Observes a Suitable Rite in Baptizing?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the Church observes
a suitable rite in baptizing? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the church observes a.htm

Of the Solemn Rite of Penance (Three Articles)
... OF THE SOLEMN RITE OF PENANCE (THREE ARTICLES). We must now consider the solemn
rite of Penance: under which head there are three points of inquiry: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the solemn rite of.htm

The Form, or Rite, of Baptism. Exorcism.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 63 [XXXIV.]"The Form, or Rite, of Baptism. Exorcism. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 63 xxxiv the form or.htm

Later Institution of Baptism as an Initiatory Rite.
... CHAPTER IV. THE CHURCH AND BAPTISM. Section 83. Later Institution of Baptism
as an Initiatory Rite. As for Baptism, we certainly ...
/.../section 83 later institution of.htm

Monsters of Wickedness, we are Accused of Observing a Holy Rite in ...
... Chapter VII. Monsters of wickedness, we are accused of observing a holy
rite in which we kill? Monsters of wickedness, we are ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter vii monsters of wickedness.htm

Constantine's Appeal to the Bishops, Requesting them to Confer ...
... Book IV. Chapter LXII."Constantine's Appeal to the Bishops, requesting
them to confer upon him the Rite of Baptism. "The time ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lxii constantines appeal to the.htm

The Rise and Origin of Evil. The Exorcism and Exsufflation of ...
... Book II. Chapter 50."The Rise and Origin of Evil. The Exorcism and
Exsufflation of Infants, a Primitive Christian Rite. As to ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 50 the rise and origin.htm

Rite (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rite (6 Occurrences). ... Moses gave you the rite of circumcision
(not that it began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers) (WEY). ...
/r/rite.htm - 8k

Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence)
Abiez'rite. Abi-ezrite, Abiez'rite. Abiezrites . Multi-Version
Concordance Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence). Judges 6:11 Now ...
/a/abiez'rite.htm - 6k

Gede'rite (1 Occurrence)
Gede'rite. Gederite, Gede'rite. Gederoth . Multi-Version Concordance
Gede'rite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 27:28 and ...
/g/gede'rite.htm - 6k

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)
... This rite, practised before, as some think, by divers races, was appointed by God
to be the special badge of his chosen people, an abiding sign of their ...
/c/circumcision.htm - 53k

Anointing (39 Occurrences)
... was made by the ancient Hebrews between anointing with oil in private use, as in
making one's toilet (cukh), and anointing as a religious rite (mashach). ...
/a/anointing.htm - 28k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... is the instrumental cause of regeneration, and that the grace of regeneration is
effectually conveyed through the administration of that rite wherever duly ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Red (124 Occurrences)
... In Numbers 19 a rite is described in which the ashes of a "red heifer" and of certain
objects are mixed with running water to obtain the so-called "water for ...
/r/red.htm - 77k

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... of the Bible. The New Testament throws but little light on the origin of the
later ecclesiastical rite of ordination. The 12 disciples ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... of the Bible. The New Testament throws but little light on the origin of the
later ecclesiastical rite of ordination. The 12 disciples ...
/o/ordain.htm - 19k

Agape
... the observance of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 33, 34) make it evident
that in Corinth as in Jerusalem the celebration of the rite was associated ...
/a/agape.htm - 15k

What is a rite? | GotQuestions.org

What is chrismation, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Order of DeMolay? | GotQuestions.org

Rite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus