Bible Verses About Holy Orders

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Clear laying on of hands for church servants

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Bishop office is presented as a real calling

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Gives bishop qualifications

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Direct ordination of elders in every church

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Bishop as steward of God

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Shows apostles laying hands for Spirit reception

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Commands ordaining elders in every city

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Another laying on of hands passage used for sending leaders

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

passage on laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Laying on of hands by the presbytery

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

passage on laying on of hands and receiving the Holy Spirit.

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Includes laying on of hands among basic teachings

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Deacon office rewarded for faithful service

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

passage on priestly service of the gospel.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

passage on God appointing ministries in the church.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

passage on Jesus ordaining the Twelve.

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

passage on deacons first being tested.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Deacon qualifications

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Deacon character requirements

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Elders who rule well and teach

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Lists ministries in the church

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

High priest image for ordained ministry

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

General ministry language

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Calling comes from God

And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

passage on Aaron being sanctified for priestly office.

And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

passage on priestly anointing and everlasting priesthood.

Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.

passage on temple ministers serving before the people.

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

About choosing church workers, but not ordination to holy orders specifically