Bible Verses About Ordination

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

Direct passage for prayer and laying on of hands

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.

Directly says choose men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom

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.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Supports laying on of hands with fasting and prayer

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

Shows apostles laying on hands so people may receive the Holy Spirit

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

Direct Spirit-reception laying on hands passage

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

Supports ministerial gift through laying on of hands

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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:

Requires elders to be ordained in every city

And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

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.

Elders who rule well are honored, implying recognized appointment

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

A bishop must desire a good work and meet qualifications

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

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.

Deacons are to use office well and be proven

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 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.

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 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;

Gives bishop qualifications

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

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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

Calling from God rather than self-appointed office

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

Deacons are first to be proved before service

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.