Thursday, June 10, 2010

ON BEING ORDAINED



I believe it is pretty clear that there is no method or form offered in the New Testament for what we call 'ordination.' In fact, I think it is clear that the biblical materials do not view ordination the way it is presently viewed in modern times at all. No instructions were given for who, how, or why anyone was to be ordained. The best we can do is derive from the meaning of the Greek word, cheirotonein, that people were to be "appointed" [The meaning of the word] for certain ministries [such as elders in Acts 14:23] and then we can find a few occasions in the text where that was done, thus, giving us an example. It could very well be that the idea of being ordained to the "gospel ministry" is an invention of human culture beginning long after biblical times. The writers of the New Testament surely were silent on that.

They did however, seem to view the "laying on of hands" as a method of recognition.
The Greek phrase "Epititheio tas cheiras" [to lay hands on] occurs five times in Acts in ways that might be indicating a setting apart or appointment to a particular ministry. As an example I'll mention three of them. In Acts 6:1-6 the seven servants were set aside for practical ministry. Acts 9:17 shows Paul was set apart for his work of preaching that began in verse 20. Who doesn't know of the incident in Acts 13:1-3 where Paul and Barnabas were set aside for their missionary work.

Basically what we see in the biblical materials is the recognition that a person possessed certain spiritual gifts and character that were necessary to do a specific needed ministry. The church then commissioned that person by the laying on of hands for that specific task. The appointment could be to preaching to serving as an elder to going on a missionary journey to feeding widows who were being neglected. In its simplest form, ordination could be defined as the church’s symbolic recognition of what the Holy Spirit was doing or wants done in the life of the church using people to do it for the benefit of the others.

One final thought. It should be noted that the Bible gives no specific instructions as to whether women should or should not be ordained. The refusal to "set aside by laying on of hands for a specific ministry" [The biblical meaning of ordination] of women would have to be based on an interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12 that I believe is generally totally misunderstood. AND one would have to hold to the "office" concept of Pastor or Deacon with their understanding of 1 Timothy 2:12 to refuse women ordination to those "offices."

The truth of the matter is, using the biblical definition, there is no clear command OR condemnation in the New Testament for the ordination of ANYONE and the word "OFFICE" isn't used at all. [Except in the KJV where it is a mistranslation of the words] The scriptures simply indicate we are to recognize need and the people in the body who are gifted and anointed to meet that need and set them apart perhaps by the laying on of hands, so they can minister to that need...regardless of gender.

I do realize this may be much like the modern understanding of how to do church [Body-life] that we hold to that is so foreign to the biblical text and yet would need a miracle or major catastrophe to change. Ordination as we know it would take another miracle to be changed back into the biblical model. Until then I guess we'll all do the best we can with what we've got...awaiting that miracle or catastrophe. Frankly, I think either one would be for our good and His Glory.

8 comments:

Bob Cleveland said...

Good post. But what do you make of 2 Timothy 1:6:

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

I'd be interested in your take.

Chris Ryan said...

So true.

But we would be swamped with ordination services if we actually practiced ordaining all of those who are gifted and called for specific purposes. And then the laity would get ideas about their involvement! We can't have that.

I'm noticing a trend that my responses of late tend to be sarcastic rebuttals. I'm trying to decide if I've gotten bitter or if the other side really is just that ridiculous. Probably somewhere in-between.

Anonymous said...

Hi CHRIS,

Sounds like you are experiencing 'growing pains.

Praying for you,
Love, L's

:)

Anonymous said...

I think that to understand 'laying on of hands' in its meaning for ordination, it is good to understand the Jewish 'smicha' ceremony.

If you have a friend who is a rabbi, he can explain it to you.

My own understanding is simplistic. It has to do with a teacher and a student. The student relies on the teacher and learns until, one day, the teacher can fully rely on the student's knowledge. On that day, the student is prepared for the elderly teacher to 'lean on' him and that is the meaning of 'smicha': a laying on of hands to indicate that the student can now be relied upon to go forward without his mentor, and with authority, to serve.

Perhaps there is some meaning in the old Judaic 'smicha' that shows up in modern 'ordination'?

I can't answer for the Baptist form of ordination, so I do not really know for sure.
Christiane

Aussie John said...

Paul,

I dunno what we're gonna do with you young fellers!

Well, you young modern feller, your words are "yea and amen" to me!

It seems to me that the "miracle" you are speaking about might actually happen through catastrophe. I have noticed that the Holy Spirit has a habit of pulling the rug from under us before showing us who is in charge.

"Frankly, I think either one would be for our good and His Glory."

Absolutely!

Word verification is very appropriate, even though bad spelling: blest.

Paul Burleson said...

Bob,

I think that is one of the references I could have quoted to illustrate my point.

If I'm correct in my understanding, I believe Paul was encouraging young Timothy to keep his passion burning [The present tense of the infinitive would indicate he had been doing this so keep on doing it.] for the gift he received [a gift of preaching perhaps or of being a pastor] as he was set apart for such by the laying on of hands. [Paul and perhaps others had set him apart.]

The PHILLIPS translation literally says by his "ordination." [Using the 'laying on of hands' to mean ordination.]


Chris,

Your statement perhaps made in jest..."But we would be swamped with ordination services if we actually practiced ordaining all of those who are gifted and called for specific purposes"...deserves some serious thought IMHO.

What if this kind of recognition and obedience to the Spirit's leadership became a REGULAR part of our time together as a gathered body? [Worship experience] The results might be EXACTLY what you said. The whole body would become involved and begin to understand ALL are ministers. What a change for the good that would be.

Now about being bitter..I don't think so. You're way too young and in touch with reality for that.

The other side being ridiculous is right on. [Oops my cynicism just leaked.] ;)


Christiane,

Likewise, I think there may be something to your elderly mentor/student concept. That was sure present with Paul/Timothy.

I do think there could have been more people than just Paul involved in Timothy's being set apart [laying on of hands 2 tim. 1:6] if it's purpose was recognizing him as an elder.


Aussie J,

You said..."It seems to me that the "miracle" you are speaking about might actually happen through catastrophe. I have noticed that the Holy Spirit has a habit of pulling the rug from under us before showing us who is in charge." That's so good.

I've often wondered if the time ever came that, for whatever reason, lack of oil or electricity, we were not able to travel great distances, the whole Church might not MIRACULOUSLY discover each other as family/friends instead as perceived enemies.[In other words denominational walls would come crashing down in reality.]

Christiane said...

Hi BOB CLEVELAND,

I was waiting to hear an answer or some comments on your question:
"Good post. But what do you make of 2 Timothy 1:6:

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

I'd be interested in your take. "


BOB, I know what it means in my own Church, but I don't know what the verse means to Baptists, and I was hoping to find out.

Christiane

Christiane said...

BOB, take a look at this verse that refers to 'laying on of hands' and do you think is it related to the verse in Timothy?

"Acts 8:14-17 (New American Standard Bible)

14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,

15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. "