It is wrong to Ordain new Christians as Ministers

Originally Posted by Rico

Every person is different. Some people may be ready for pulpit ministry in less time than others. Jesus entire ministry was only 3 1/2 years long. In that time frame he won many converts, trained them to preach, and had them out preaching.

Actually the majority of references to the disciples preaching was after his departure.. which means they spent at least 3 years in ministry training.. Jesus himself did not enter ministry until age 30....

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

Actually the majority of references to the disciples preaching was after his departure.. which means they spent at least 3 years in ministry training.. Jesus himself did not enter ministry until age 30....

There was plenty of preaching going on before He was crucified. I don't have my Bible program fired up, but what about the 70 He sent out, two by two?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

When giving the qualifications to be ordained for ministry.. ;Paul forbids the Ordination of New converts.. those who have only been saved for a few years are forbidden from preaching... I had no idea until I read this scripture

I Tim 3:6 - Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The meaning of NOVICE in its original - NEOPHUTOS - 1) newly planted

a) a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)

It should be several years after conversion before anyone is allowed to approach the pulpit according to Pauls teachings.

This is a judgment call for those who would perform the ordination. The person should not be a novice, but to bind the "Ordination Officer" to a 3 year or more requirement is not something that is specified-- and I'm not sure one should specify and call it Biblical.

Originally Posted by 1399

This is a judgment call for those who would perform the ordination. The person should not be a novice, but to bind the "Ordination Officer" to a 3 year or more requirement is not something that is specified-- and I'm not sure one should specify and call it Biblical.

I would definitely call it more Biblical than ordaining a NOVICE......It takes years of watching someones life to see if they are of good report... it takes years of study to show ones self approved before they should ever be recognized by the five fold ministry as a co-worker in ministry... instructing the Bride of Christ,, rebuking the church, maturing the church.... this is not the job for a Novist

I grew up in a church where they would pray you through and if you could testify loud they had you up preaching in no time at all.... of course trying to keep you in church..... and if your a preacher now it will be alot more difficult for you to backslide

[Mrs. LPW]

Ok, I'm going completely on memory right now... and my memory is terrible!!!
So correct me if I'm wrong, I'll willingly accept it.

But when Paul was converted, didn't he spend three years in study before begining his ministry?

Now, I'm not talking about soul winning and helping the local church believers and all those things... but as far as a preaching/teaching/Apostolic ministry, wasn't there a time frame before he entered into that.. (with the blessing of his fellow Apostles)

I'm trying to find it on my Bible software but it's been a while and I can't remember where it's recorded. But I'm almost certain.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Mrs. LPW

Ok, I'm going completely on memory right now... and my memory is terrible!!!
So correct me if I'm wrong, I'll willingly accept it.

But when Paul was converted, didn't he spend three years in study before begining his ministry?

Now, I'm not talking about soul winning and helping the local church believers and all those things... but as far as a preaching/teaching/Apostolic ministry, wasn't there a time frame before he entered into that.. (with the blessing of his fellow Apostles)

I'm trying to find it on my Bible software but it's been a while and I can't remember where it's recorded. But I'm almost certain.

My guess is he started preaching immediately:


16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:16 (KJV)

[Mrs. LPW]

Galations 1:18... he stayed in Damascus (and some time in Arabia) for about three years.

Not certain what all he was doing for those three years... I imagine he was getting to know the Lord.
Then he went up to Jerusalem to see Peter. Course he had to prove himself all over again to them.

His ministry, sent out, Apostleship, didn't begin until he left Damascus 3 years after his conversion... I believe God has timing for everything ministry wise. I think we can get ahead of ourselves if we aren't careful.

Acts 9:18-26
He immediately began to testify of Jesus... so we know there is no time limit on becoming a soul winner!

I would never say someone cannot be used in ministry until they've been in church for 10 years... but I would say any positions of authority in a church should not be held by a novice.

I have been in this wonderful Church of God for the majority of my life, and I am still learning, growing, wising up...
First you have to get grounded, and that is why I agree with the three licences my org has... local, general and ordination.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

When giving the qualifications to be ordained for ministry.. ;Paul forbids the Ordination of New converts.. those who have only been saved for a few years are forbidden from preaching... I had no idea until I read this scripture

I Tim 3:6 - Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The meaning of NOVICE in its original - NEOPHUTOS - 1) newly planted

a) a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)

It should be several years after conversion before anyone is allowed to approach the pulpit according to Pauls teachings.

Could not a novice or neophyte be not just in numbers of years but also in Character? Some people can be Christians for years yet still be immature

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

I would definitely call it more Biblical than ordaining a NOVICE......

the rest of your argument had good points, but it was built on a faulty premise.

Either an arbitrary 3 yr probationary period is Biblical or not Biblical.

So a person, under the power of the Holy Ghost, can't prove to not be a novice, in let's say, 2.5 years?

We would do better to set that 3 yr probationary period as something that is our own custom than to try to tie God directly to it.

There is nothing wrong with having this 3 yr probationary standard (or any standard) as long as we are clear that this is indeed a man-made standard, not something God ordained.

The Amish do it this way. We could learn from the Amish.

We don't need to add any thing else to God's Word. This is how satan was able to deceive Eve, when she added to God's Word.

Originally Posted by 1399

the rest of your argument had good points, but it was built on a faulty premise.

Either an arbitrary 3 yr probationary period is Biblical or not Biblical.

So a person, under the power of the Holy Ghost, can't prove to not be a novice, in let's say, 2.5 years?

We would do better to set that 3 yr probationary period as something that is our own custom than to try to tie God directly to it.

There is nothing wrong with having this 3 yr probationary standard (or any standard) as long as we are clear that this is indeed a man-made standard, not something God ordained.

The Amish do it this way. We could learn from the Amish.

We don't need to add any thing else to God's Word. This is how satan was able to deceive Eve, when she added to God's Word.

Gal 1:18 - We find the even the Apostle Paul spent 3 years in quietness and learning....... So we do have Bible for a 3 year period of training before being allowed into a pulpit

It was not until after those 3 years that he appeared unto the churches in Syria and Cilicia to preach to them.....