Ordination
“There were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius
of Cyrene, and Manaen, ...and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord,
and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for
the work whereunto I have called them.” [
Acts 13:1, 2
.] Before being
sent forth as missionaries to the heathen world, these apostles were
solemnly dedicated to God by fasting and prayer and the laying on
of hands. Thus they were authorized by the church, not only to teach
the truth, but to perform the rite of baptism, and to organize churches,
being invested with full ecclesiastical authority.
The Christian church was at this time entering upon an important
era. The work of proclaiming the gospel message among the Gentiles
was now to be prosecuted with vigor; and as a result, the church was to
be strengthened by a great ingathering of souls. The apostles who had
been appointed to lead out in this work, would be exposed to suspicion,
prejudice, and jealousy. Their teachings concerning the breaking down
of “the middle wall of partition” [
Ephesians 2:14
.] that had so long
separated the Jewish and the Gentile world, would naturally subject
them to the charge of heresy; and their authority as ministers of the
gospel would be questioned by many zealous, believing Jews.
God foresaw the difficulties that His servants would be called to
meet; and in order that their work should be above challenge, He
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instructed the church by revelation to set them apart publicly to the
work of the ministry. Their ordination was a public recognition of
their divine appointment to bear to the Gentiles the glad tidings of the
gospel.
Both Paul and Barnabas had already received their commission
from God Himself, and the ceremony of the laying on of hands added
no new grace or virtual qualification. It was an acknowledged form of
designation to an appointed office, and a recognition of one’s authority
in that office. By it the seal of the church was set upon the work of
God.
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