Ordaining Study
Who instituted the ordaining process and for what reasons? How, over the ages, has this affected our contemporary churches and their rules? We will refer to the Bible and Strong's Concordance in learning the answers to these questions.
God is the simple answer to the first question. For this entire process was first begun just prior to the Exodus from Egypt of the Jewish people, when Moses was commanded by God to lead the chosen people from the bondage that they had endured for so long. Moses, was very concerned about his ability to rally the people to follow him, and God then provided that Aaron would become both assistant and, later, High Priest, in the Divine plan to Institute the God appointed (ordained) nation of Israel. (See Exodus 4:10 - 16.) Please take some time to read this account and become familiar and comfortable with it.
You will find below, the most pertinent references in both the O T and NT. From these you can see how it has become easy to corrupt what God intended for :
1. The Levitical Priesthood
2. Our contemporary methods of producing (ordaining) a reputable institution known as the "clergy."
06213 hse 'asah aw-saw' a primitive root; TWOT-1708,1709; v
AV-do 1333, make 653, wrought 52, deal 52, commit 49, offer 49, execute 48, keep 48, shew 43, prepare 37, work 29, do so 21, perform 18, get 14, dress 13, maker 13, maintain 7, misc 154; 2633
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press,
270 prografw prographo prog-raf'-o
from 4253 and 1125; TDNT-1:770,128; v AV-write 1, write aforetime 1, write afore 1, evidently set forth 1, before ordain 1; 5
1) to write before (of time)
1a) of old set forth or designated before hand (in the scriptures of the OT)
2) to depict or portray openly
2a) to write before the eyes of all who can read
2b) to depict, portray, paint, before the eyes
1299 diatassw diatasso dee-at-as'-so from 1223 and 5021; TDNT-8:34,1156; v
AV-command 7, appoint 4, ordain 3, set in order 1, give order 1; 16
1) to arrange, appoint, ordain, prescribe, give order
In Exodus 12, we learn or the final events that led to the release of :the Jewish people from their Egyptian bondage. Once freed from that, God Instituted, under the authority of Moses and Arron, the Levitical Priesthood. Special garments were designed, and then worn by this group. To be especially noted is the distinction of the High Priest's garments, from the general priesthood.
There was also a particular code of conduct required of this group, which also made them separate from the rest of the people. There were special duties assigned to the priesthood, and their sustenance was to be provided in a separate manner. Today we see this as the distinction between clergy and laity. See Leviticus en totem to learn these things.
The General History
With the passage of time, as is always the case with humankind, degeneration caused the misuse of the power and authority this group had been granted. Traditions of men entered into the picture, and corruption, rising even to the Sanhedrin, became the norm. Each of the four Gospel accounts make clear, the animosity that ensued, when Jesus conducted his three year ministry on earth, and how, by religious/political manipulation, he (Jesus) was finally murdered. It would have seemed at first, that a victory had been gained, but nothing could have been farther from the truth. For when the resurrection took place, a literal chaos was unleashed that would bring down the power of the priesthood of tradition.
Despite their best efforts, the religious leaders could not dispel the resurrection accounts, nor silence those who knew the truth of what had taken place. One might add that this is as true today, as it was then,. The name of Jesus, and the name of his office, remain!
Specific History
In the OT dispensation, the clergy was represented by only one group of men, from the tribe of Levi. The only recorded female activity of note would be Anna the prophetess, and later of course Elizabeth and Mary, who were not really recognized then in a religious sense, in general. However, that was going to be changed when the church Jesus taught and described, was born. That birth actually took place on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples became "spirit filled" apostles. We can see that once again, God provided through the work of the Holy Spirit, the empowerment of a small number of men, the hierarchy of the new Church This group was led by Peter, (Cephas = stone head) who can also be seen as the "rock".
Mat 16:18 And <1161> I say <3004> (5719) also <2504> unto thee <4671>, That <3754> thou <4771> art <1488> (5748) Peter <4074>, and <2532> upon <1909> this <5026> rock <4073> I will build <3618> (5692) my <3450> church <1577>; and <2532> the gates <4439> of hell <86> shall <2729> <0> not <3756> prevail against <2729> (5692) it <846>. {Peter: this name signifies a rock}
Mt 16:18 And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock will my church be based, and the doors of hell will not overcome it. (Cf vs 19)
Nowhere in the scriptures can we find a title beyond"Apostle" that is assigned to Peter or any of the other apostles. If we study the Bible's Qualifications for Church leaders, and who could become such a leader, we must study the book of Acts, I&2 Timothy, and Titus. And we must also include the following verse:
Eph 4:11 And <2532> he <846> gave <1325> (5656) some <3303>, apostles <652>; and <1161> some, prophets <4396>; and <1161> some, evangelists <2099>; and <1161> some, pastors <4166> and <2532> teachers <1320>;Eph 4:11 And he gave some as Apostles, and some, prophets; and some, preachers of the good news; and some to give care and teaching;
We can see very clearly, that God has remained constant in placing men into the roles of leadership. This means simply that men are supposed to carry the responsibilities of the welfare of humankind and are granted a certain unique authority with which they are to conduct themselves. The role of women, under the "norm" is secondary. They are to be protected and provided for by the men in their lives. In a separate study, we will delve into any exceptions that may come into play.
SYNOPSIS
After all is said and done, the Bible teaches us that God uses a system (program) of "calling" those whom He wants to serve Him officially. Within this realm, there are numerous offices to be filled.
There is always a separation of offices and those who serve are always answerable to both God and a human of higher office. This has stood the test of time.
As a result, our contemporary methodology must follow suit. Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant forms of Church government exist with such a format of hierarchy which takes into account both the recommendation(s) of a local church as to who can and should hold what offices.
Once this is established, arrangements can be made as to where the ordination of a minister will take place. The best scenario is that it take place where the minister is to be installed. That would be the local church. The service itself, should include the laying on of hands, and should never be done unless the life of the person to be ordained, is one of acceptable Bible based reasoning.