ORDINATIONS
28/05/15 16:51
When a person goes to a seminary, once graduated, they get a ordination proclaiming their pastoral office. There are institutions that hand out ordinations and even some churches. With an ordination a person can legally officiate marriage ceremonies and preach funerals; actions that require a government acceptance of the office of minister for government forms. Some denominations require ordination for certain offices within the church; especially any pastoral office. Yet, other than man requiring it, an ordination is not needed to preach the Gospel of Christ or to hold the office of pastor in a church.
Where did the practice come from? Actually, it's been going on for centuries; yet they were not always called a certificate of ordination.
Paul wrote several ordinations, or letters of recommendation (examples written below). As Paul sent trusted ministers to his churches, this told the church that the person coming to them was upright, godly, and taught the Word of God the way it should be. In essence, Paul was saying, "This man is capable of preaching in my pulpit".
Those who were not upstanding, godly, and did not teach the Gospel of Christ and Word of God correctly were warned against (examples written below).
What is ordinations? An ordination is a recommendation of a person, church, or institution, that places a "stamp of approval" on the teachings of the individual. Ordinations are not calls from God, or fulfillment of a call from God, they are only recommendations from man. The presenter of the ordination says that the ordained is morally upstanding to God and their actions, and teachings, hold to the value of the Bible - to the best of our knowledge. It's like putting their name upon that person.
When we refer an individual to the company as an employee, we say, "This person will be a good, honest, worker based upon my name". If that referred person lies, cheats, steals, is lazy, etc, that reflects upon our word, our referral. It's often said, "who in the world referred that person?" This is true with ordinations also. When a ordained person is not upstanding, or teaches hearsay, or has an issue of pride, and the likes, it falls back to the person, or institution, who put their name upon that individual. Comments are made in the manner of, "who in the world ordained that person?".
Therefore, I don't believe the act of handing out ordinations should be handled lightly; and, people and institutions should take care of who they ordain. Honestly, if the person, church, or institution is not willing for that person to stand in their pulpit, the ordination should not be issued. No, the institution or person ordaining is not held responsible, but imagine if Paul sent people, ordaining them to the churches, and those people had sexual issues, drunkards, did not teach the Word correctly, tried to get people to follow them (rather than Christ and the Gospel), and the likes. Who would ever listen to who Paul recommended any more? Suddenly, the doctrine Paul teaches, the character of Paul, and the likes comes into question because he is the one who recommended the ill willed person.
LETTERS OF ORDINATION BY PAUL
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also
(Romans 16:1-2 NKJV)
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church
(1 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV)
If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf
(2 Corinthians 8:23-24 NKJV)
and one of my favorites:
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me
(Philippians 2:25-30 NKJV)
LETTERS OF WARNING
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ
(2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV)
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves
(Acts 20:29-30 NKJV)
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words
(2 Timothy 4:14-15 NKJV)
All of 2 Peter 2
Where did the practice come from? Actually, it's been going on for centuries; yet they were not always called a certificate of ordination.
Paul wrote several ordinations, or letters of recommendation (examples written below). As Paul sent trusted ministers to his churches, this told the church that the person coming to them was upright, godly, and taught the Word of God the way it should be. In essence, Paul was saying, "This man is capable of preaching in my pulpit".
Those who were not upstanding, godly, and did not teach the Gospel of Christ and Word of God correctly were warned against (examples written below).
What is ordinations? An ordination is a recommendation of a person, church, or institution, that places a "stamp of approval" on the teachings of the individual. Ordinations are not calls from God, or fulfillment of a call from God, they are only recommendations from man. The presenter of the ordination says that the ordained is morally upstanding to God and their actions, and teachings, hold to the value of the Bible - to the best of our knowledge. It's like putting their name upon that person.
When we refer an individual to the company as an employee, we say, "This person will be a good, honest, worker based upon my name". If that referred person lies, cheats, steals, is lazy, etc, that reflects upon our word, our referral. It's often said, "who in the world referred that person?" This is true with ordinations also. When a ordained person is not upstanding, or teaches hearsay, or has an issue of pride, and the likes, it falls back to the person, or institution, who put their name upon that individual. Comments are made in the manner of, "who in the world ordained that person?".
Therefore, I don't believe the act of handing out ordinations should be handled lightly; and, people and institutions should take care of who they ordain. Honestly, if the person, church, or institution is not willing for that person to stand in their pulpit, the ordination should not be issued. No, the institution or person ordaining is not held responsible, but imagine if Paul sent people, ordaining them to the churches, and those people had sexual issues, drunkards, did not teach the Word correctly, tried to get people to follow them (rather than Christ and the Gospel), and the likes. Who would ever listen to who Paul recommended any more? Suddenly, the doctrine Paul teaches, the character of Paul, and the likes comes into question because he is the one who recommended the ill willed person.
LETTERS OF ORDINATION BY PAUL
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also
(Romans 16:1-2 NKJV)
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church
(1 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV)
If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf
(2 Corinthians 8:23-24 NKJV)
and one of my favorites:
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me
(Philippians 2:25-30 NKJV)
LETTERS OF WARNING
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ
(2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV)
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves
(Acts 20:29-30 NKJV)
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words
(2 Timothy 4:14-15 NKJV)
All of 2 Peter 2
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