THE CALL INTO THE MINISTRY,

AND ORDINATION

By Gary Ray Branscome

Although God spoke to Moses and the prophets with an audible voice, and explicitly called them to specific tasks, His calling of pastors is far less dramatic. Because God has warned Christian congregations to, “Beware of false prophets,” no one should ever be allowed to just take over a congregation, without being called by the congregation (Matthew 7:15). At the same time, the fact that God does provide those who trust in Him with godly pastors, is revealed by the words, “Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28).

The words, “If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. However, a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober-minded, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach,” tell us that simply wanting to be a pastor is not a call into the ministry (1Timothy 3:1-2). If it was, then everyone who wanted to be a minister would meet the qualifications, and that is not the case. The words, “No man can come to me, unless the Father who has sent me draws him,” suggest that some who are being drawn to God’s Word may assume it is a call (John 6:44). The words, “Some… want to be teachers of the law; but they do not know what they are talking about, or understand the things they so confidently assert,” tell us that some who want to pastor a church are more interested in promoting works than saving souls (1Timothy 1:6-7). And, the words, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran,” tell us that false prophets may want to be pastors (Jeremiah 23:21). Therefore, even though the words, “Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers,” tell us that godly pastors are a gift of God, the words, “There will be false teachers among you, who will privately introduce damnable heresies,” warn of the importance of screening those who are called (Acts 20:28, 2Peter 2:1).

The words, “His gift made some… pastors and teachers,” tell us that it is God who makes “some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). The words, “The things that you have heard me say… pass on to faithful men, who will also be able to teach others,” tell us that those whom God has made pastors and teachers will faithfully pass on what the Apostles have taught (2Timothy 2:2). The words, “Discharge carefully the duties of the ministry that you have received in the Lord,” tell us that those whom God has made pastors and teachers will be conscientious about carrying out their duties (Colossians 4:17). And, the words, “Keep close watch on yourself, and on your doctrine; and hold to it: for by doing so you will both save yourself, and those who hear you,” tell us that those whom God has made pastors and teachers will faithfully proclaim the gospel, to the salvation of souls (1Timothy 4:16).

Although the New Testament does not specifically mention pastors being called, the right of a congregation to call pastors is inferred from God’s command to “Beware of false prophets,” and from other instances of men being chosen by the congregation (Matthew 7:15). The words, “Select seven men of good reputation from among you… And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch,” speak of men being chosen by the congregation (Acts 6:2-6). As do the words, “He was also chosen by the churches to travel with us” (2Corinthians 8:19).

OF ORDINATION

Congregational worship began after the Jewish people were carried captive into Babylon. As they gathered into communities and set aside places [synagogues] where they could meet, certain elders [older men] of the community were chosen to oversee those meeting places, lead Sabbath worship and teach the youth. The congregation then ordained those elders as a way of publicly investing them with responsibility. Later, because the first Christian congregations were organized along the same lines as the synagogue, the elders whom they chose were also ordained, and the Bible mentions that fact. However, since God never commanded ordination, and no divine promise is connected with it, it is only a public ratification of the call, not some mysterious ceremony that empowers the one being ordained.

The words, “After they had ordained elders for them in every congregation, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust,” tell us that Paul and Barnabas ordained elders in every congregation that they started (Acts 14:23). The words, “The reason I left you in Crete, was to set right what was left undone, and to ordain elders in every city, as I instructed you,” tell us that Paul instructed Titus to ordain elders (Titus 1:5). The words, “They chose Stephen… and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas… Whom they brought before the apostles: and after they had prayed, they laid their hands on them,” tell us that they were ordained after they had been chosen to positions of responsibility (Acts 6:5-6). And, the words, “Select seven men of good reputation from among you, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” tell us that the men who were chosen were “full of the Holy Ghost” before they were ordained” (Acts 6:3).

In regard to the laying on of hands, the words, “They laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost,” are speaking of the laying on of hands following conversion (Acts 8:17). In light of that fact the words, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with laying on of the hands,” should be seen as a reference to the laying on of hands at conversion, not ordination (1Timothy 4:14).