Bible Verses About Major Orders And Church Ministry

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

1 Timothy 3:2 directly describes a bishop's 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.

Acts 14:23 directly supports ordaining elders

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

1 Timothy 3:12 directly describes deacon qualifications

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

1 Timothy 3:10 directly describes testing deacons first

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:

Titus 1:5 directly supports appointing elders

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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;

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

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.

And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Priestly consecration background

The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Priestly consecration background for ordination language

And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

Laying on of hands in ordination background

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.