In the Bible, ordination refers to the act of setting someone apart for a sacred role or ministry, typically through prayer, laying on of hands, and the acknowledgment of the local church community. It signifies the recognition of God’s calling on an individual’s life to serve in specific spiritual duties, as seen in passages like Acts 6:6 and 1 Timothy 4:14.
Scripture
1 “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.”
2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests.
5 They shall take the gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.
Biblical Significance of Ordination
The concept of ordination in the Bible encompasses not only the act of appointing individuals to ministry roles but also the recognition of their divinely appointed purpose. In Acts 6:6, we see the apostles ordaining seven men to serve as deacons, thus acknowledging their calling and specific responsibilities within the church community. This laying on of hands symbolizes the transfer of authority and the establishment of a commitment from the community to support and empower the individual in their ministry. Similarly, in 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul admonishes Timothy not to neglect the gift he received through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders, underscoring the belief that ordination is both a divine appointment and a communal validation of one’s spiritual gifts and calling.
Ordination also reflects the biblical principle that God equips those He calls for service within His Kingdom. Ephesians 4:11-12 emphasizes that Christ gave “some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,” highlighting that each role within the church is vital for the body’s growth and cohesion. The broader meaning of ordination, therefore, encompasses themes of divine calling, community support, and the recognition of varied spiritual gifts, all serving to fulfill God’s mission in the world. Through these practices, the church acknowledges that leadership and ministry are not simply human endeavors but are deeply rooted in God’s sovereignty and purpose for His people.
Within the biblical framework of ordination, it is important to note the historic precedence of appointing leaders, which can be traced back to the Old Testament where figures such as Moses received divine instructions to ordain and appoint key individuals for specific roles within the Israelite community. For instance, Moses was instructed to appoint elders to assist him in leading the people, which illustrates a pattern of communal recognition of God-given authority and responsibility. The laying on of hands in these contexts not only connotes blessing and empowerment but also establishes a continuity of leadership that is vital for the stability and growth of God’s people throughout their journey.
Additionally, the concept of ordination emphasizes the importance of character and spiritual integrity as prerequisites for anyone in ministry. In the pastoral epistles, the qualifications for elders and deacons reflect the understanding that one’s conduct and spirituality significantly impact their effectiveness in leadership. This deepens the meaning of ordination, suggesting that it is not merely a ceremonial practice, but rather a profound recognition of a person’s alignment with God’s will, their spiritual maturity, and their ability to shepherd others faithfully. Therefore, ordination encompasses a sacred trust placed upon individuals, holding them accountable to lead not only with authority but also with humility, devotion, and a servant-hearted approach, thereby epitomizing the model of Christ as the ultimate servant leader.
Divine Appointment and Authority
Ordination in the Bible signifies a divine appointment where individuals are set apart for specific roles within the community of faith. This act is not merely a human decision but is seen as a recognition of God’s calling and authority. Those who are ordained are believed to be chosen by God to fulfill particular responsibilities, such as preaching, teaching, or leading the congregation. This underscores the belief that spiritual leadership is rooted in divine will rather than personal ambition.
Empowerment for Service
Another significant aspect of ordination is the empowerment for service. Through the act of ordination, individuals receive the Holy Spirit’s anointing, equipping them with the necessary gifts and abilities to carry out their ministry effectively. This empowerment is essential for fulfilling the responsibilities associated with their roles, as it enables them to lead, guide, and nurture the faith community. The emphasis on service highlights the biblical principle that leadership is fundamentally about serving others and advancing God’s kingdom.
Community Recognition and Support
Ordination also involves the recognition and support of the faith community. It is a communal act where the church acknowledges the individual’s calling and commitment to serve. This public affirmation fosters accountability and encourages the ordained individual to fulfill their duties with integrity and dedication. The community’s involvement in the ordination process reflects the biblical understanding that the body of Christ functions together, with each member playing a vital role in the overall mission of the church.
How to Embrace Divine Calling in Christian Service
Embracing your divine calling in Christian service is a beautiful journey that begins with a heart open to God’s whispers. It’s essential to cultivate a deep relationship with Him through prayer and scripture, allowing His voice to guide your steps. Reflect on your passions and the unique gifts He has bestowed upon you; these are often clues to your calling. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—sometimes, the most profound growth happens when we take that leap of faith. Surround yourself with a supportive community that encourages you to explore your gifts and serves alongside you. Remember, your calling is not just about what you do, but who you become in the process—an embodiment of Christ’s love and grace in the world. Trust that God has a purpose for you, and as you seek to serve others, you’ll find fulfillment and joy in the journey.
Bible References to Ordination Meaning:
Exodus 29:1-9: 29 “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish,
2 And unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour.
3 You shall put them all in one basket and bring them in the basket and bring the bull and the two rams.
4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.
5 Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
6 and you shall put the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban.
7 Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.
8 Then you shall bring his sons and put coats on them,
9 And you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.
Leviticus 8:1-13: 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread,”
3 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and offer them before the Lord.
4 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
5 And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.”
6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
7 And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band.
8 And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim.
9 And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.
10 And Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them.
11 And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand to consecrate them.
12 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.
13 And Moses brought Aaron’s sons and clothed them with coats and tied sashes around their waists and bound caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Numbers 8:5-22: 5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.
8 Then let them take a bull from the herd and its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another bull from the herd for a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel.
10 And you shall bring the Levites before the Lord, and the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord.
12 And the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord to make atonement for the Levites.
13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to the Lord.
14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.
15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering.
16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself.
17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself.
18 But I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.”
20 Thus did Moses; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did.
21 Thus did the Levites. They purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Deuteronomy 34:9: 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
1 Samuel 16:1-13: 16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem.
5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”
9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.”
10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”
11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.”
12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
1 Kings 19:15-16: 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.
Isaiah 6:1-8: 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10: 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Ezekiel 2:1-7: 1 And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
2 And the Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
4 And the descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’
5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Matthew 10:1-4: 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Mark 3:13-19: 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.
14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach
15 and have authority to cast out demons.
16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);
18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,
19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Luke 6:12-16: 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:
14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,
16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
John 15:16-17: 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Acts 6:1-6: 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 They set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 13:1-3: Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 14:21-23: 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 Timothy 3:1-13: 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:14-16: 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
2 Timothy 1:6-7: 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,
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Titus 1:5-9: 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Hebrews 5:1-4: 1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.