How were pastors ordained in the Bible?compaired to today?

Question

Today is seems that almost anyone can call himself a pastor or set up his own church what are the qualifications

It is obvious some of them were not called by god at all

Answer 1

It is the Lord's administration. The Lord assigns some to be Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, Pastors & Teachers. (Eph.4:11)

Anyone can call himself a Pastor, but that doesn't mean he is a Pastor called of God.

In Christianity, if a person isn't called to be a Pastor by the Lord Jesus Christ, person isn't really a true Pastor (even if he does start his own church). Pastor not called of God to be a Pastor is really a hypocrite. Or, if a born again Christian, doing something in their own understanding that isn't the Lord's calling and won't be successful.

Answer 2

Actually according to the New Testament all believers are a priesthood unto themselves and all are ministers.

That is the way it should be in all churches. However most denominational churches have standards set by their denomination.

I think each state may have regulations concerning legal tax exempt ministries, but as far as someone claiming to be a minister, our freedom of religion forbids states from inter fearing.

If a person wants to be a minister and start his or her own church, It should be their choice.

Jesus chose the twelve disciples and then seventy preachers, but other than that we have no scriptural evidence that there ever was any kind of ordination.

The duty of a priest is to come before God on a person or persons behalf and when Jesus died and rose from the dead each believer is now able to do that their self and thus is a minister, and priest in their own right. The bible calls the believers a royal priesthood see 1 Peter 2:9 The New Testament also calls each believer a minister.

Answer 3

That's a broad question. And a good one. I agree with you. You are 100% correct...but there are still denominations that still Ordain the traditional way....by a Bishop in Apostolic Succession, with the laying on of hands after much training and discernment.

Traditionally, Christian Deacons, Priests and Bishops were Ordained by the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil. It was that way in the beginning. It's still the traditional method used by the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholics, Anglicans (like me), the Coptics and some Lutherans.

Note that the Christian Church in the first century did it this way....I don't know if that fits your question parameter: "In the Bible".

It is good to know that in Jewish (Biblical) tradition - nobody could be a priest unless he was a Levite, a descendant of Aaron, a member of the "cohenim" - lineage of Priests.

You are right to notice the sad state of affairs in modern American Protestantism. Anybody can call himself "Pastor So-and-So" and open a church.

That does not make them qualified or truly ordained in the proper sense of the word. And they can be quite dangerous.

Answer 4

The Biblical requirements are set forth by Paul in 1 Timothy 3, but these are pretty loose. And keep in mind that ordination back then was by laying on of hands of men who themselves had been selected by apostles and their ordained disciples. In Acts we have the apostles telling the people to select deacons for ordination, but not pastors or bishops. Catholics would say that they have apostolic succession going back to Christ and Protestants ordain without authority. Whichever side you come down on, it's clear that ordination doesn't make the ordained any holier, and the trend these days in fundamentalism to have indpendent churches and pastors who are under no authority and supervision only makes it more likely there will be a problem.

Answer 5

Alot of people do things out of the will of God. I can't speak for most pastors ... I don't know many. However, the position they take is a high position in the eyes of God. If they are going against HIS will then just like us they'll have to answer to HIM.

I don't know how pastors were ordained back in the day, sorry.

Answer 6

Great question and one that bugs me too. In Christ's day, He ordained taxmen, fishermen and even a learned bounty hunter.

Jesus himself had no formal college education such as is required by modern churches. That means that at most Christian churches, He would not be hired to be a pastor based upon His spirituality alone.

Answer 7

It mainly depends on the denomination. Presbyterians and most Baptist denominations require a "recognizable calling" , then a very serious and in-depth education. A seminary degree requires many more hours that a university degree. For instance -a Master of Divinity takes 90 semester hours of graduate work, and the Master of Theology, 125 hours, including competent work in Greek and Hebrew. A Doctorate would also require German.


EDIT: Oh, I see, back in the day. I don't know, and doubt if anyone does. But very early on, I would expect that someone would notice the "call of God" on a person. It would standout among believers.

Answer 8

In Acts 13: 1-2 it's clear. that the Holy Spirit choosed the ones he would for the mission, compare this with Ephesians 4: 1 - 32. IT#s God, who gives the calling and it's the Holy Spirit,who will confirme it in the meeting of tjhe christian assembly.

Answer 9

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil (1 Tim. 3:1-7; italics added).


Paul, as we've seen, also insists that prospective elders and deacons be publicly examined in light of the stated list of qualifications. He writes, "And let these [deacons] also [like the elders] first be tested [examined]; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach" (1 Tim 3:10; cf. 5:24, 25).
When directing Titus in how to organize churches on the island of Crete, Paul reminds him to appoint only morally and spiritually qualified men to be elders. By stating elder qualifications in a letter, Paul establishes a public list that will guide the local church in its choice of elders and empower it to hold its elders accountable:
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict (Titus 1:5-9; italics added).


When writing to churches scattered throughout northwestern Asia Minor, Peter speaks of the kind of men who should be elders. He exhorts the elders to shepherd the flock "not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2, 3).

Answer 10

2 Cor 2:16 - 3:3 And who is adequately qualified for these things? 17 [We are;] for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but as out of sincerity, yes, as sent from God, under God’s view, in company with Christ, we are speaking. 1 Are we starting again to recommend ourselves? Or do we, perhaps, like some men, need letters of recommendation to YOU or from YOU? 2 YOU yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts and known and being read by all mankind. 3 For YOU are shown to be a letter of Christ written by us as ministers, inscribed not with ink but with spirit of a living God, not on stone tablets, but on fleshly tablets, on hearts.


Now read 1 Tim 3:1 That statement is faithful.

If any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. 2 The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, 3 not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, 4 a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness; 5 (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of God’s congregation?) 6 not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil. 7 Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.

True ministers do the work, the way Jesus and the apostles did it.

You do not need a Letter from a college to be ordained for the ministry.

The fruits (actions and results) prove who you are.

One of the test of a true minister is that he will not take a title of Pastor.

Pastor is a job discription, not a title. Paul was an apostle, but nowhere in the bible will you read "Apostle Paul", you will read at

Gal. 1:1 Paul, an apostle,

Notice what Jesus said about titles.

Matt. 23:
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. 5 All the works they do they do to be viewed by men; for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases that they wear as safeguards, and enlarge the fringes [of their garments]. 6 They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues, 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. 8 But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ.