What Does the Bible Say About Ordination?
Open Christian Ministries
Bridging the Gap between the Church and the Marketplace
In today's religious landscape, the concept of ordination has taken on a complex and often misunderstood meaning. Many churches and denominations have elaborate ordination ceremonies, complete with the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and the conferral of ministerial titles and authority. However, the biblical understanding of ordination is quite different from the modern practices we often observe.
The key biblical principle regarding ordination is that it is ultimately God who calls and qualifies an individual for ministry, not the ceremonial act itself. The word "ordain" in the Bible simply refers to a setting in place or designation, rather than a specific sacramental rite. We see this in examples such as Joseph being "ordained" as a ruler in Egypt (Acts 7:10) and deacons being "ordained" to serve the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). In none of these cases is a formal ordination ceremony described.
The book of Acts provides a powerful illustration of this principle. When the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to a specific work, the church recognized God's leading, fasted and prayed, and then laid hands on them to demonstrate their commissioning (Acts 13:2-4). The emphasis here is not on the act of laying on hands, but on the church's response to God's clear calling and empowering of these men for ministry.
The Apostle Paul also regularly "ordained" or appointed pastors and elders for the churches he planted, but the focus was on recognizing and affirming God's work in the lives of these individuals, not on conferring any special power or authority. The ordination of church leaders involved a general consensus in the church, if not an official vote, after praying to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The apostles and the congregations knew whom the Spirit had chosen, and they responded by placing those men in leadership.
This principle is further reinforced in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, where Paul outlines the qualifications for elders and overseers. These qualifications are primarily character-based, emphasizing things like being "above reproach," "self-controlled," and "able to teach" (1 Timothy 3:2-7, Titus 1:5-9). The clear implication is that these are qualities that God Himself has cultivated in the life of the individual, not something that can be imparted through a ceremonial act of ordination.
Ordination is not an act of recognizing someone's level of schooling or educational attainment. Some people pursue various degrees and certifications with the goal of being "ordained" in different "offices" of the Holy Spirit. However, this misses the biblical mark. Ministry is not a career! The focus should not be on obtaining a certain level of theological education, but on the genuine work of God in an individual's life, character, and calling. Simply adding more degrees or credentials does not necessarily equate to a deeper anointing or a more valid ordination in God's eyes.
Additionally, the modern church has often fallen into the trap of valuing titles, recognition, and respect more than the genuine call and equipping of the Holy Spirit. There is a dangerous tendency to seek ordination for the sake of status, authority, and power, rather than for the purpose of humbly serving God's people. The Bible, however, teaches that the distribution of spiritual gifts and callings is determined solely by the will of the Holy Spirit, not by human ambition or the desire for accolades (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
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In fact, the Bible warns against hastily ordaining someone who may not be genuinely called and qualified by God. As Paul instructs Timothy, "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands" (1 Timothy 5:22). The implication is that ordination should not be undertaken lightly, but should be a careful recognition of God's prior work in an individual's life.
Today, many people are physically "ordained" through various ceremonies and rituals, but the act itself does not necessarily reflect God's true calling and qualification for ministry. Even if people lay hands on you or pour out oil, it cannot make you what God has not already made you. The biblical model is clear: it is God who calls and qualifies a man for ministry, and the role of the church is to recognize and respond to that divine calling.
By understanding the biblical principles of ordination, the church can ensure that its practices align with Scripture and honor God's sovereign work in the lives of His people. Ordination should not be viewed as a sacramental rite that confers special power or authority, but rather as a public affirmation of God's prior calling and equipping of an individual for service in the body of Christ.
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