Ordination is a sacred ceremony, highlighting a milestone in an individual’s spiritual journey. The Bible encompasses various verses associated with ordination, offering deep insights into its divine significance, associated duties, and the qualities ordained individuals should embody. This significant act translates an individual’s solemn commitment to serve God and his people and is duly recognized within the Christian community.
What the Bible Says About Ordination
The Bible vividly describes the sacredness of ordination. It suggests that chosen men and women, through their divine calling, dedicate their lives to serve others. The ceremony signifies the individual’s resolve to bear the light of the Gospel, provide spiritual leadership, and uphold the teachings of Christ.
While the Bible does not explicitly use the term “ordination,” it provides numerous instances of individuals being set apart for God’s ministry, such as Aaron’s consecration for priesthood in the book of Leviticus. These recordings echo the sanctity of the call to service and the responsibilities of those who heed this call.
Why Character Matters in Ordination
The Bible emphasizes that the character of an individual matters significantly in ordination. Those ordained are to live by example, embodying humility, kindness, patience, and understanding.
The prime characteristics of an ordained individual, as portrayed by the apostle Paul in his letters to Timothy and Titus, include being above reproach, sober-minded, disciplined, hospitable, and teaching others with dignity and wisdom. The Bible also states that those ordained should be good stewards of their households, demonstrating leadership abilities that extend to their spiritual family.
Who Can Be Ordained According to the Bible
The Bible reveals that ordination isn’t bound by gender or social standing, and it’s God who differentiates individuals for his work. Various biblical instances demonstrate men and women being called to serve, regardless of their personal attributes or societal stature.
For instance, individuals like David, a shepherd boy, and Mary Magdalene, a social outcast, were chosen for significant roles in God’s plan. This suggests that ordination is more about divine choice, spirituality, character, and commitment, rather than physical or societal traits.
When the Bible Highlights the Process of Ordination
The Bible portrays the ordination process as a spiritual milestone, often accompanied by prayer, the laying on of hands, and the offering of blessings. While the methods differ across Christian denominations, the unifying aspect is the prayer and blessing involved – symbolizing the imparting of authority and spiritual gifts from God.
In the book of Acts, when seven men were ordained to serve tables, the apostles prayed over them and laid hands on them. This practice wasn’t a mere formality but demonstrated a deep spiritual connection, signifying the transfer of divine authority and responsibility.
Where Ordination Leads the Ordained According to the Bible
Ordination, as presented by the Bible, leads the ordained to a path of spiritual service and leadership. The ordained are tasked with pastoral duties such as preaching the word of God, ministering sacraments, and providing spiritual guidance and support to the church community.
The role also extends beyond the physical confines of a church, leading the ordained individuals to minister in various settings, engaging in outreach initiatives, counseling, teaching, and even international mission work. The Bible hence views ordination as a significant step towards a lifelong journey of faith and service.
Below is our full list of bible verses on ordination (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Ordination
John 15:16
“16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Related Themes: Prayer Voting Identity Asking For Help
2 Timothy 2:15
“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Learning Morals Morality
1 Timothy 5:22
“22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”
Acts 14:23
“23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Acts 6:3
“3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
Related Themes: Reputation Business Leadership
1 Timothy 1:12
“12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”
Related Themes: Patience Thankfulness Strength Serving God
Titus 1:5
“5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”
Related Themes: Hope Church Leadership
John 15:14-17
“14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.”
Related Themes: Obedience
1 Timothy 5:17
“17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
Related Themes: Reverence Respecting Your Parents Honor Appreciation Leadership
Hebrews 13:7
“7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
Related Themes: Respect Leadership Reverence Mentoring
1 Peter 2:5
“5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Attitude Trespassing Holiness Reverence
Ephesians 4:11
“11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
Related Themes: Discernment Teamwork Working Together Pastor
1 Timothy 3:1-7
“1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Related Themes: Leadership Arguing Strangers Abuse Elders
1 Timothy 1:18
“18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;”
Revelation 2:2
“2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”
Related Themes: Perseverance Patience Gossip Loyalty
Ephesians 2:10
“10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Related Themes: Creativity Strangers Sovereignty Self-Esteem Technology
Jeremiah 1:5
“5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
Related Themes: Children Life Identity Omnipotence Glorification
Revelation 1:6
“6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Afterlife
John 3:16-17
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Acts 13:1-3
“1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Related Themes: Fasting
Luke 8:1-3
“1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”
1 Corinthians 9:14
“14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
1 Peter 5:5
“5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Related Themes: Humility Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents Children
Luke 9:1
“1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Sickness
2 Corinthians 4:4
“4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Reaping Sovereignty Satan Omnipresence
1 Peter 2:9
“9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
Related Themes: Holiness Light Identity Self-Esteem Purpose
1 Timothy 4:14
“14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
Related Themes: Creativity Self-Esteem
1 Timothy 2:5
“5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Related Themes: Prayer Omnipresence Indulgence Omnipotence
Hebrews 5:1
“1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:”
Related Themes: Priest
Galatians 3:28
“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Equality Strangers Discrimination Prejudice Culture
