Ordination is a vital practice within the Christian faith, symbolizing the recognition of a person’s calling to serve in ministry. It is an act of setting apart individuals for specific roles, such as pastors, elders, or deacons, to lead and guide the body of Christ. While the practice of ordination may vary across denominations, the New Testament offers essential scriptures that guide and support this practice. These passages provide insight into the biblical foundations of ordination, offering clarity on the qualifications, responsibilities, and importance of those called to serve in the ministry.
In this topic, we will explore key New Testament scriptures that highlight the principles behind ordination and the biblical expectations for those who are ordained.
1. The Call to Ministry: A Divine Appointment
Romans 10:14-15
The New Testament makes it clear that ministry is not a self-appointed endeavor but a calling from God. In Romans 10:14-15, the Apostle Paul highlights the necessity of those who are called to preach the gospel:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"
This scripture affirms that the act of ordination is about recognizing a person who has been called by God to serve. The role of a preacher or minister is not one of personal ambition, but a response to God’s calling and the church’s confirmation of that call.
2. Jesus’ Example of Calling and Sending Disciples
Matthew 28:18-20
One of the most significant moments in the New Testament related to ordination comes in the form of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructs His disciples to go into the world and make more disciples:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’"
The Great Commission serves as the foundational command for ordination. It establishes the role of ministers to proclaim the gospel, baptize believers, and teach the Word of God. Through ordination, the church acknowledges those who are equipped and called to carry out this great mission.
3. Qualifications for Ministry: Character and Integrity
1 Timothy 3:1-13
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul provides essential qualifications for those who desire to serve in leadership roles, specifically as overseers (bishops) and deacons. This passage stresses the importance of character, integrity, and personal faith for anyone considering ordination. Paul writes:
"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach… He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap."
The qualifications for ordination outlined in this passage emphasize that those called to ministry must have a strong moral foundation, personal discipline, and the ability to lead others in faith. These qualifications highlight the responsibility and integrity required of anyone serving in a leadership capacity within the church.
4. The Role of Elders in the Church
Titus 1:5-9
In Titus 1:5-9, Paul provides further guidance on the qualifications for church leaders, specifically elders. Elders play a crucial role in teaching, guiding, and overseeing the spiritual health of the congregation. Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders who are blameless and faithful in their roles:
"An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient… He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
This passage underscores the responsibility of elders to safeguard the doctrine of the church, teach sound theology, and be exemplary in their personal lives. Ordination to the role of elder is an acknowledgment of a person’s spiritual maturity and ability to guide the flock.
5. The Power of Laying on of Hands
1 Timothy 4:14
In the New Testament, the laying on of hands is a significant part of ordination. It is an act of commissioning, where the church and leaders symbolically pass on authority and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for ministry. In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of the gift he received through the laying on of hands:
"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you."
The laying on of hands signifies the recognition of a person’s calling to ministry and their empowerment by the Holy Spirit to fulfill that calling. It is an important part of the ordination ceremony, symbolizing the church’s endorsement and the transmission of spiritual authority.
6. The Need for Continued Growth and Faithfulness
2 Timothy 4:1-5
In 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful to his calling, even in the face of challenges and opposition. This passage reminds those who are ordained that their role is one of ongoing responsibility and dedication to God’s work:
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
This passage underscores that ordination is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment to faithful service. Ministers are called to preach, teach, correct, and encourage others in their faith, maintaining their integrity and commitment to God’s Word throughout their ministry.
7. The Example of Christ’s Servant Leadership
Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of servant leadership. Philippians 2:5-8 highlights Christ’s humility and sacrificial love, which serves as the foundation for all ministry. Paul writes:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
For those who are ordained, this passage is a reminder that true leadership in the church is not about power or authority, but about humility, service, and self-sacrifice. Ordained ministers are called to serve others as Christ served, putting the needs of the flock above their own desires.
Embracing the Call to Serve
the New Testament provides clear guidance on the process of ordination and the qualifications for those called to ministry. From the qualifications of leadership in 1 Timothy and Titus to the example of Christ’s servant leadership, these scriptures emphasize the importance of character, integrity, and a deep commitment to God’s Word.
Ordination is a sacred act that recognizes the calling and empowerment of individuals to serve in ministry. As the church continues to fulfill the Great Commission, those who are ordained are entrusted with the responsibility to preach, teach, and guide God’s people, always following the example of Christ.
