Posted on 01/01/2012 3:02:56 PM PST by rzman21
HomeAmharicFranćaisDeutschOriental Church MusicPhoto Gallery Discussion / ForumLinksCalendar
CHAPTER 7
THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY ORDERS I. Definition. “Holy Orders” is the sacrament through which the clergy are ordained to celebrate the various church services. Some Protestants say that Christ did not distinguish anyone in His church, and that all the members are the same, and that there is no need for separating special persons as ministers. This is utterly wrong, because of the following reasons: (1) Christ set apart special persons as Apostles, and spent a whole night before choosing them. “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all nigh in prayer to God. And when it was day He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve whom also He named Apostles.” (Luke 6:12, 13)
(2) He gave them special privileges which were not given to others e. g . He said to them “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt, 18:18)
(3) When sending them before His ascension He promised them to be with them “ even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20) This promise is of course taken to be valid for their successors also.
(4) When Judas dropped out of the number of the Apostles, they me together, spent some time in discussion and prayer, and chose another to fill this vacancy. (Acts 1:15-26). Had it not been necessary that there should be certain persons set apart for God’s service, they would not have taken the trouble of appointing another one instead of Judas.
(5) Were all Christians of the same degree, they could perform the same services in the church. But a careful study of the Bible specially the “Acts”, shows that the clergy had their own duties which the laity could not dare to perform, and that every category of the clergy had its own duties which could not be performed by another category. For instance when Philip preached in Samaria, he, being a deacon, had not the right to lay on his hands for granting the gift of the Holy Ghost. For this reason the Church of Jerusalem “sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. Then laid they the hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8-17)
(6) The Bible appointed certain conditions which should be observed when choosing the bishops, and other conditions when choosing the deacons. (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1)
(7) And the Bible also appointed certain procedures for the ordination of the clergy; e.g. the laying on of hands. (1 Tim. 4. 14)
(8) All historians agree that there have been certain ministers in the church since the first century. All the churches that were instituted at the first century keep lists of their bishops since their beginning.
II. Institution of the Sacrament. (1) This sacrament was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
It was he who appointed the twelve Apostles and the seventy disciples. It was He who sent the Apostles in to the world before His ascension. “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28: 19,20)
St Paul says that it was Christ Himself who appointed some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers (Eph. 4: 11)
And when giving advice to the ministers of the Church of Ephesus he said to them, “Take heed therefore, unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers” (Acts 20: 38)
(2) And according to the power given to them by the Lord those Apostles appointed bishops, priests and deacons in the churches which they established as will be seen afterwards.
III. The Visible Sign. There are two visible sings: (1) The laying on of hands. The Bible stated that this was performed in the case of bishops (1 Tim. 4: 14; 2 Tim. 1: 6), and priests (1 Tim. 5: 22) and deacons (Acts 6: 6)
(2) The prayers of consecration. (Acts 6: 6; 14:23)
IV. The invisible Grace. The ordained minister is given a divine gift appropriate to the service to which he is called. “Neglect not the gift that in thee; which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Tim. 4: 14) “Therefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Tim. 1: 6) This gift is given by the Holy Ghost who alone can help the minister to perform his duties.
V. Degrees of the Holy Orders. The Bible mentions three degrees; the bishop, the priest and the deacon, (1) The Bishop. This is the highest degree. In 1 Tim. 3: Tit 1 and other places the Bible gives detailed instructions for the choice of bishops. The bishop is given the following rights:- 1. Ordination of the clergy. It was the Apostles who consecrated bishops (2 Tim. 1:6), and ordained priests (Acts 14: 23) and deacons (Acts 6: 3,6) And the bishops, whom the Apostles consecrated, were given that right of ordination. St. Paul, writing to Titus, said: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are waiting, and ordain elders (priests) in every city, as I had appointed thee.” (Tit. 1:5) And, when writing to Timothy, he said; “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins.” (1 Tim. 5: 22)
2. Trial of the clergy and rebuking them. “Against an elder (priest) receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (1 Tim. 5: 19,20)
3. Consecration of the Holy Oil used for the sacrament of confirmation.
4. Consecration of the altar and the Holy vessels in the case of building a new church, or getting new vessels.
5. They also have the right to celebrate all the church sacraments and rites if they like.
6. Management of the general affairs of the church.
(2) The Priest: Priests are mentioned in many places of the Bible. “They ordained them elders (priests) in every church.” (Acts 14: f23) “Let the elders (priests) that rule well be counted worthy of double honour.” (1 Tim. 5: 17) “For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are waiting, and ordain elders priests in every city, as I had appointed thee. (Tit. 1: 5) “ Is any sick man among you: let him call for the elders (priests) of the church, and let them pray over him. Anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14) The priest has the right to celebrate the six sacraments mentioned above, and all church rights . He has also the right to teach and preach.
(3) The Deacon: Deacons are mentioned in the Bible in Acts 6: 3-6 Phil. 1: 1, 1 Tim. 3 A deacon has not the right to celebrate any of the church sacraments, but only to help the priest and the bishop in celebrating them, keep good order in the church, read the various portions of the Bible in the church, teach, preach and perform any service which the bishop or the priest may ask him to do. It was said in the “Orders of the Apostles” that “the deacon is the bishop’s eyes and ears”. In the former times there was a degree of “deaconess.” Her function was to serve the women in the Church, keep good order in the place allowed for them in the church and anoint the bodies of women at the sacrament of confirmation after being anointed by the priest only on their forheads. (Didaskalia 34)
“No woman is allowed to come to the bishop to ask for anything unless she is accompanied by a deaconess.” (Didaskalia 6) “If there is any need for the bishop to send anyone to the women’s houses, he should send a deaconess, because it is not lit to send a deacon.” (Didaskalia 34) It seems that this degree existed in the church at the Apostolic time, St. Paul, writing to the Romans, said “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant for “deaconess” as in other copies and other versions) of the church which is at Canchrea”. (Romans 16: 1) And when writing to Timothy he said, “Let not a widow be taken into the number (into the list) under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.” (1 Tim. 5: 9) some think that the Apostle mans here the list of those who were deaconesses in the church.
VI. Ordination of the Clergy (1) A bishop is consecrated by the laying on of the hands of at least three bishops, because one bishop alone cannot consecrate a bishop.
(2) A priest or a deacon is ordained by the laying on of hands of only one bishop.
(3) Ordination can never be repeated for the same degree if the bishop, priest or deacon was previously ordained in a legal way. In the Apostolic Canons (68) it is stated that “if any bishop, priest or deacon is re ordained for the same degree, he will become worthy of excommunication together with him who ordained him.”
(4) No money should be paid at all for the ordination of any one of the three degrees. When Simon offered money for the sake of obtaining one of God’s gifts. St. Peter rebuked him saying “thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” (Acts 8: 18-20) The church teachers that every ordination performed against any payments is illegal, and that the bishop who accepts any money should be excommunicated.
VII. Obligations of the Clergy (1) Before ordination. Those who are chosen for the holy orders must be: 1. Sure that the call came to them from God. “No man taketh this honour of the holy orders) unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5: 4)
2. Blameless, in order to be good examples to the congregation. ST. Paul wrote to Timothy saying : “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4: 12) In 1 Tim. 3, and Tit. 1, St. Paul mentioned many conditions which should be taken into consideration when choosing bishops and deacons.
3. Well acquainted with the Bible and church teachings.
(2) After ordination. 1. They should serve not as hired men who work merely to get their wages. “Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” (1 Pet. 5:2) “He that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.” (John 10:12)
2. But they should be good shepherds, full of deep feeling that the sheep are theirs, and that they are responsible for keeping them from beasts and for feeding them. They should also know that the good shepherd must be ready to offer any sacrifice that may be needed for the sake of the sheep. “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
More about the sacrament of Priesthood
The Orthodox Church Sacraments Rev. Marcus Daoud Tinsae Zagubae Printing Press May 1952 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_________________________________________________________________________ ©2003-Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - About-us . Privacy-Statement . Contact-us
I seriously doubt it or he wouldn't have suggested it.
I wonder what the chapter and verse are for that test?
Or where in the CCC that can be found?
I can see it now. We're at the Pearly Gates and Peter greets us and says, "Before I let you in, you first you have to pass a test to see if you qualify. You have to give me the names of other Christians for all of church history. Only then can I tell if you're a *real* Christian.*
It reminds me of the joke about the game show for a million dollar prize. The contestant is asked what year the Titanic sunk, how many people were aboard, and the last question was, *Name them*.
Sigh.....
Just another reason to not have looked back after leaving the Catholic church.
Living in what I would call an Ethiopian/Eritrean neighborhood, I’m surrounded by Amharic script. I love Ethiopian food.
There’s even an Ethiopian shopping center not far from me.
I attended an Ethiopian liturgy once or twice. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb as the only Caucasian and the only person who didn’t know Amharic or Ge’ez.
It’s such a tragedy how shipwrecked they are....and they cannot see the condition of their ship. Like those on the Titanic believed the ship would never sink and they died with it when it sunk.
BTW We have lots of blizzard type snow falling here at the moment. Fifteen minutes into a store for a short run and nothing was there but sunshine....came out into a blizzard and snow covered ground!
I didn’t apologize.
That’s your own personal interpretation of what I said.
Isn't it rather hypocritical when posts like this one went uncommented or otherwise for years... or this one -- where were the comments about "Not something any ..would want any part of.", huh? the silence was deafening...
“They can’t even, or don’t seem to have ever TRIED “ —> here again is the blanket statement of “they” directed at 1L1f1B
Perhaps in your rush to be offended you didn't notice the above.
Which is why personal interpretation leads to so many errors -- like the wide disparity of beliefs that can be Oneness Pentecostal to Messianic whatever to Church of Christ to BO's pilateskirck
“The organization corrupted by immorality and infiltrated by pedophiles?”
Name a Church that has NOT been a target? Of course, when the few here who belong to their own private church where they define perfection, they get a pass. Except of course that is NOT what God sent His Son to establish.
Yes, they don’t bother if one’s “posse” is not the target right, but if one’s posse IS, then “oh, I am so disappointed...” — that is hypocritical, right?
You are not reading what I am posting Cronos.
"The laughing gifs,the one trick pony,even the cereal box don't really bother me,infantile as they are"
Is that clear enough?
What I do see are many tentacles attached to the heart and mind of the membership which has little to do with Christ Jesus and mostly about practices and rituals which give them a sense of belonging. For some not doing these, which are habits and oftentimes requirements, would be more than difficult to let loose of. Like taking a pacifier from a toddler so he can grow and develop into the adult he is destined to become. Instead their security rests in what they do and how much they adhere to these practices and false teachings.
I have thought if the priesthood was abolished, which it was thru Christ, and Mary/Saint worship as well, which Jesus never established....and the Eucharist as they practice it in it's diabolical form.....then and only then could the light of Christ's truths be clearly seen....for these are the crutches which they depend and rely on to “feel” religious...and superior over true Christianity as Jesus taught us.
I don't speak of this for all but for most within their church...So many I've spoken with all say the same thing once they have left. They were never saved thru Christ...rather they practiced Catholicism like one would practice the tenants of any organization.
Oh, so then you do believe that I should free myself from the shackles of Catholicism.
At least I stand behind what I believe.
Sounds like you’re getting lake effect snow.
It behaves like that. Clear one minute, the next the band moves in and it’s an Arctic wasteland.
It's not that the catholic church was “specifically” targeted...it's that the catholic church refused to oppose those committing these criminal acts... nor rid itself of this filth. Therefore since homosexuals knew they would be protected within the church and had ample opportunity to children and others like themselves...the catholic church became a magnet for these criminals.... further assisting, enabling and abetting these sins to remain and flourish within it's walls and under it's leadership complying with....thus themselves then being as guilty as those who committed these crimes against it's membership....children and innocents...and they continue to do so today.
...but the catholic church enabled these criminals and encouraged their continued sins against their own membership even after they recognized those guilty...and further continues til today protecting those guilty of these sins. It's not that the catholic church was “specifically” targeted...it's that the catholic church refused to oppose those committing these criminal acts... nor rid itself of this filth.Of course this is one string of falsehood strung together. The Church has ALWAYS condemned the evil acts involved and has taken giant steps to address this issue - far more effectively than, say your local government schools and much more than almost any of the proddy (dis)organizations.
Sure. That’s why it’s been going on for well over 1,000 years.
And that’s why it took all that negative publicity by the secular media when people refused to be pushed around any more by the church and finally started to speak out against it, before the *church* made a show of doing something about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.