BIBLICAL ORDINATION

The word "ordain" appears five times in the Bible, and all five are translated from different Hebrew and Greek words.  Here are the references, the original word, and their meanings:

1)  1 Chronicles 9:22 - Hebrew יָסַד (yacad) - "to establish or appoint."
2)  1 Chronicles 17:9 - Hebrew שׂוּם (suwm) - "to place or appoint."
3)  Isaiah 26:12 - Hebrew שָׁפַת (shaphath) - "to set or ordain."
4)  1 Corinthians 7:17 - Greek διατάσσω (diatassō) - "to arrange or appoint."
5    Titus 1:5 - Greek διατάσσω (diatassō) - "to appoint one to administer."

Here are some New Testament examples of those "ordained" to a specific ministry:

*  The Twelve as disciples - Mark 3:14.
*  Elders in all the churches - Acts 14:23.
*  Governments - Romans 13:1.
*  Pastors over churches - 1 Corinthians 9:14.
*  Born again believers to do good works - Ephesians 2:10.
*  The Apostle Paul - 1 Timothy 2:7.
*  Timothy as Bishop - 2 Timothy 4:22.
*  Elders in every city - Titus 1:5.
*  Titus as Bishop - Titus 3:15.
*  The High Priests - Hebrews 5:1.

Note:  Elder, Bishop, and Overseer, refer to the same office (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1; Ti. 1:5-7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; etc.).  "Deacon" in the Greek διακονέω (diakoneō), means a servant in the church.

There is no mention of an ordination council, at which a "candidate" is questioned by other ordained men.  However, there is evidence that ordained men evaluated the lives of the prospects (1 Tim. 3:1-13), and if they were found to have met the criteria for the office, they may be chosen, and prayed over with the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14; etc.).

While it is not specifically stated in Scripture, the ordination of elders and deacons was carried out in the specific church in which they were to serve.  I find no evidence of pastors, elders, or deacons ever moving to another church and being recognized as pastors, elders, or deacons in a new locale.  It is not a "once ordained, always ordained" situation; each church must recognize and call a man as their Pastor, as an Elder or as a Deacon in their church.  I was ordained as Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, where I served, but I am not a Pastor in Charlestown Independent Church, where the Lord has led us to worship.

 

If a church says you are their Pastor, you are their Elder, you are their Deacon, you are!