Ordination is a significant practice within the Christian tradition, serving as the formal process by which individuals are consecrated and set apart for specific roles within the church, particularly for ministry and leadership positions. This practice finds its roots in both the Old and New Testaments, where the laying on of hands and prayer are central elements.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, ordination is closely associated with the consecration of priests. The tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly duties, with Aaron and his sons being the first to be ordained as priests. The process involved rituals of purification, sacrifices, and the laying on of hands. Exodus 29:9 describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons: "And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and put the headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a perpetual statute. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons."

The concept of being set apart for God's service is further illustrated in the anointing of kings and prophets, such as the anointing of David by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13). This act symbolized the empowerment and selection by God for a specific purpose.

New Testament Practice

In the New Testament, ordination continues as a practice for appointing leaders within the early church. Jesus Himself chose and appointed the twelve apostles, setting a precedent for the selection of church leaders. In Acts 6:6, the apostles laid hands on the seven chosen to serve, indicating their appointment: "They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them."

The Apostle Paul provides further insight into the qualifications and responsibilities of church leaders in his pastoral epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, emphasizing character and ability to teach. Similarly, in Titus 1:5, Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town, indicating a structured approach to church leadership: "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you."

Theological Significance

Ordination is not merely a human appointment but is seen as a divine calling and empowerment for ministry. The laying on of hands symbolizes the transmission of authority and the Holy Spirit's empowerment for the tasks ahead. In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul reminds Timothy of the gift of God imparted through the laying on of hands: "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."

Contemporary Practice

In contemporary Christian practice, ordination varies among denominations but generally involves a period of discernment, examination, and training. It is often accompanied by a formal ceremony where the candidate is prayed over and commissioned for ministry. The role of ordained individuals can include preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, and providing pastoral care.

Ordination remains a vital aspect of church life, ensuring that those who lead and serve are recognized as being called and equipped by God for their specific roles within the body of Christ.1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.
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1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
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1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
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1. (n.) The act of consecrating for ministry, appointing, or setting apart; the state of being ordained, appointed, etc.

2. (n.) The act of setting apart to an office in the Christian ministry; the conferring of holy orders.

3. (n.) Disposition; arrangement; order.

ORDAIN; ORDINATION

or-dan', or-di-na-shun (Latin ordinare, "to set in order" "to arrange"; in post-Augustan Latin "to appoint to office"; from ordo, gen. ordinis, "order," "arrangement"): In the King James Version the verb "to ordain" renders as many as 35 different words (11 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, 21 Greek words in Apocrypha and the New Testament, and 3 Latin words in Apocrypha). This is due to the fact that the English word has many shades of meaning (especially as used in the time the King James Version was made), of which the following are the chief:

(1) To set in order, arrange, prepare:

"All things that we ordained festival,

Turn from their office to black funeral."

-Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, IV, v, 84.

This meaning is now obsolete. It is found in the King James Version of Psalm 132:17 Isaiah 30:33 Hebrews 9:6 (in each of which cases the Revised Version (British and American) or margin substitutes "prepare"); 1 Chronicles 17:9 (the Revised Version (British and American) "appoint"); Psalm 7:13 (the Revised Version (British and American) "maketh"); Habakkuk 1:12 (also the Revised Version (British and American)).

(2) To establish, institute, bring into being: "When first this order (i.e. the Garter) was ordained, my Lord" (Shakespeare). So in 1 Kings 12:32, "Jeroboam ordained a feast in the 8th month" (12:33); Numbers 28:6 Psalm 8:2, 3 Isaiah 26:12; 2Es 6:49 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "preserve"); Sirach 7:15; Galatians 3:19.

(3) To decree, give orders, prescribe:

"And doth the power that man adores

Ordain their doom"-Byron.

So Esther 9:27, "The Jews ordained.... that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof"; 1 Esdras 6:34; 2 Esdras 7:17; 8:14 the King James Version; Tobit 1:6; 8:7 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "command"); Additions to Esther 14:9; 1 Maccabees 4:59; 7:49; Acts 16:4 Romans 7:10 the King James Version; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 9:14 Ephesians 2:10 the King James Version.

(4) To set apart for an office or duty, appoint, destine: "Being ordained his special governor" (Shakespeare). Frequent in EV. When the King James Version has "ordain" in this sense, the Revised Version (British and American) generally substitutes "appoint"; e.g. "He (Jesus) appointed (the King James Version "ordained") twelve, that they might be with him" (Mark 3:14). So 2 Chronicles 11:15 Jeremiah 1:5 Daniel 2:24; 1 Esdras 8:49; 1 Maccabees 3:55; 10:20; John 15:16 Acts 14:23 1 Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:5 Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 8:3. The Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "formedst" in The Wisdom of Solomon 9:2, "recorded" in Sirach 48:10, "become" in Acts 1:22, "written of" (margin "set forth") in Jude 1:4, but retains "ordain" in the sense of "appoint," "set apart," in 2 Kings 23:5 1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 1 Esdras 8:23; Additions to Esther 13:6; Acts 10:42; Acts 13:48; Acts 17:31 Romans 13:1.

(5) To appoint ceremonially to the ministerial or priestly office, to confer holy orders on. This later technical or ecclesiastical sense is never found in English Versions of the Bible. The nearest approach is (4) above, but the idea of formal or ceremonial setting-apart to office (prominent in its modern usage) is never implied in the word.

Ordination: The act of arranging in regular order, especially the act of investing with ministerial or sacerdotal rank (ordo), the setting-apart for an office in the Christian ministry. The word does not occur in English Version of the Bible. The New Testament throws but little light on the origin of the later ecclesiastical rite of ordination. The 12 disciples were not set apart by any formal act on the part of Jesus. In Mark 3:14 John 15:16, the King James Version rendering "ordain" is, in view of its modern usage, misleading; nothing more is implied than an appointment or election. In John 20:21-23, we have indeed a symbolic act of consecration ("He breathed on them"), but "the act is described as one and not repeated. The gift was once for all, not to individuals but to the abiding body" (Westcott, at the place). In the Apostolic age there is no trace of the doctrine of an outward rite conferring inward grace, though we have instances of the formal appointment or recognition of those who had already given proof of their spiritual qualification.

(1) The Seven were chosen by the brethren as men already "full of the Spirit and of wisdom," and were then "appointed" by the Twelve, who prayed and laid their hands upon them (Acts 6:1-6).

(2) The call of Barnabas and Saul came direct from God (Acts 13:2, "the work whereunto I have called them"; Acts 13:4, they were "sent forth by the Holy Spirit"). Yet certain prophets and teachers were instructed by the Holy Spirit to "separate" them (i.e. publicly) for their work, which they did by fasting and praying and laying on of hands (Acts 13:3). But it was utterly foreign to Paul's point of view to regard the church's act as constituting him an apostle (compare Galatians 1:1).

(3) Barnabas and Paul are said to have "ordained," the Revised Version (British and American) "appointed" (cheirotonesantes, "elect," "appoint," without indicating the particular mode of appointment), elders or presbyters in every city with prayers and fasting (Acts 14:23). So Titus was instructed by Paul to "appoint elders in every city" in Crete (Titus 1:5).

(4) The gift of Timothy for evangelistic work seems to have been formally recognized in two ways:

(a) by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14),

(b) by the laying on of the hands of Paul himself (2 Timothy 1:6). The words "Lay hands hastily on no man" (1 Timothy 5:22) do not refer to an act of ordination, but probably to the restoration of the penitent. The reference in Hebrews 6:2 is not exclusively to ordination, but to all occasions of laying on of hands (see HANDS, IMPOSITION OF). From the few instances mentioned above (the only ones found in the New Testament), we infer that it was regarded as advisable that persons holding high office in the church should be publicly recognized in some way, as by laying on of hands, fasting, and public prayer. But no great emphasis was laid on this rite, hence, "it can hardly be likely that any essential principle was held to be involved in it" (Hort, The Christian Ecclesia, 216). It was regarded as an outward act of approval, a symbolic offering of intercessory prayer, and an emblem of the solidarity of the Christian community, rather than an indispensable channel of grace for the work of the ministry. (For the later ecclesiastical doctrine and rite see Edwin Hatch's valuable article on "Ordination" in the Dictionary of Christian Antiquity)

D. Miall Edwards

ORDINATION

or-di-na'-shun.

See ORDAIN, ORDINATION.

4394. millu -- setting, installation
... 4393, 4394. millu. 4395 . setting, installation. Transliteration: millu
Phonetic Spelling: (mil-loo') Short Definition: ordination. ...
/hebrew/4394.htm - 6k

4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... 1), given fully (1), gratified (1), live (1), massed (1), messengers (1), mount*
(1), mounted (1), ordain* (4), ordained* (4), ordination* (1), overflowing* (1 ...
/hebrew/4390.htm - 7k

3027. yad -- hand
... 2), much (1), much as he is able (1), much as one is able (1), next (2), next*
(13), occasion (1), ordain* (4), ordained* (4), order (1), ordination* (1), part ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

Ordination or Installation.
... DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS. 709. " Ordination or Installation.
709. LM H. Ware, Jr. Ordination or Installation. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/709 ordination or installation.htm

Ordination Hymn.
... DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS. 710. " Ordination Hymn. 710.
CM EH Chapin. Ordination Hymn. 1 O Thou, who didst ordain ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/710 ordination hymn.htm

Ordination Hymn.
... DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS. 707. " Ordination Hymn. 707. LM Pierpont.
Ordination Hymn. 1 O Thou, who art above all height! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/707 ordination hymn.htm

Ordination or Installation.
... DEDICATIONS; ORDINATIONS; INSTALLATIONS. 713. " Ordination or Installation. 713. ...
M. E. Peabody. Ordination or Installation. 1 Lift aloud the voice of praise! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/713 ordination or installation.htm

Ordination.
... Homily III. Chapter LXXII."Ordination. And having thus spoken, he placed
his hand upon Zacch??us, saying, "O Thou Ruler and Lord ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter lxxii ordination.htm

CM * Ordination.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 385. CM * Ordination. 1 Go, preach the gospel in my name,
Said he of Bethlehem: Teach of a crown more glorious Than earthly diadem. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/385 c m ordination.htm

LM * Ordination.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 386. LM * Ordination. 1 Thy servant's sandals,
Lord, are wet With Jordan's wave but lately met, And in ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/386 l m ordination.htm

Ember Days and Ordination
... IV. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Ember Days and Ordination. [1709]450 Lord, pour thy
Spirit from on high [1710]451 God of the prophets! Bless ...
/.../ember days and ordination.htm

Ordination of Clement.
... Epistle of Peter to James. Chapter II."Ordination of Clement. But about
that time, when he was about to die, the brethren being ...
/.../unknown/epistle of peter to james/chapter ii ordination of clement.htm

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... Sec. III."Ordination and Duties of the Clergy. Concerning the Ordination of
Presbyters"The Constitution of John, Who Was Beloved by the Lord. XVI. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ORDAIN; ORDINATION. ... The New Testament throws but
little light on the origin of the later ecclesiastical rite of ordination. ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... functions; to introduce into the office of the Christian ministry, by the laying
on of hands, or other forms; to set apart by the ceremony of ordination. Int. ...
/o/ordain.htm - 19k

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... delusion; imposture. 5. (n.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious
ceremony, in ordination, confirmation, etc. 6. (n.) The ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

Bishop (4 Occurrences)
... between presbyters and bishops. Of a formal ordination, in the later
hierarchical sense, there is no trace as yet. The word "ordained ...
/b/bishop.htm - 40k

Laying (87 Occurrences)
... This is noticed as taking place in the appointment of the Seven (Acts 6:6), in the
sending out of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3), at the ordination of Timothy ...
/l/laying.htm - 39k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... 7. His Ordination: Showing the importance which Paul assigned to this act of ordination,
he refers to it in a letter to Timothy written many years afterward ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

Ordinary (17 Occurrences)

/o/ordinary.htm - 12k

Hands (998 Occurrences)
... This is noticed as taking place in the appointment of the Seven (Acts 6:6), in the
sending out of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3), at the ordination of Timothy ...
/h/hands.htm - 39k

Ore (5 Occurrences)

/o/ore.htm - 8k

Office (64 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Any service other than that of ordination and the Mass; any prescribed
religious service. 9. (vt) To perform, as the duties of an office; to discharge. ...
/o/office.htm - 30k

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