The Sacrament of Holy Orders

HomeAmharicFranćaisDeutschOriental Church MusicPhoto Gallery Discussion / ForumLinksCalendar

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)

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)

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.

(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.

(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)

The Orthodox Church Sacraments Rev. Marcus Daoud Tinsae Zagubae Printing Press May 1952 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Church has ALWAYS condemned the evil acts involved and has taken giant steps

Oh really then why are the very Priests who committed these "evil acts" not in jail for their crimes....and worse why are they still within the church as priests? ..."Dozens of priests accused of sexual abuse are still preaching in Philadelphia, even after a scathing grand jury brought their presence to light. A grand jury last month lambasted the Philadelphia Archdiocese for keeping at least 37 priests credibly accused of improper behavior towards minors in positions that would bring them into contact with more potential victims....Three weeks later, most of those priests are still active in the ministry, the New York Times reports.....and that was March of last year...care to share where they are now?

"Instead their security rests in what they do and how much they adhere to these practices and false teachings."

Hello!!

Christian is an action word for believers. You do not sit down and declare only. What is Christian Peace of mind in Christ? It is in action of Prayers.

Hello!

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, with thanksgiving, PRESENT your REQUESTS to GOD. And the PEACE of GOD, which transcends all understanding, WILL GUARD your HEARTS and your MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS."

I know a great many Catholics who have this because of the prayers in the "ritual" or devotional. Your stereotypes are Sad!!

On the subject of homosexuality, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

‘Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex.... It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures...... Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained.

Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, ‘tradition’ has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ .....They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity..... Under no circumstances can they be approved.

‘The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible.... This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial.... They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.... These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

‘Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.’ [2357–2359]

(God does not say homosexuality is a “disorder” He says it’s an abomination. Sin is sin. and by this article the church STILL continues to welcome them into it’s parishes.)

(God does not say homosexuality is a “disorder” He says it’s an abomination. Sin is sin. and by this article the church STILL continues to welcome them into it’s [sic] parishes.)

You don't read too well. From the quote:

"Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity...."

Yes, sin is sin, and if everyone who sinned stayed away from churches, whether Catholic or Protestant, there would be almost no one attending or serving. The quote says this about the way of life expected of a homosexual who becomes a Christian:

‘Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.’

As should everyone else. Remember, grumbling was enough to get folks blasted by God so they couldn't enter the promised land and Paul reminds believers of this lest they, too, should fall and suffer the same fate.

Humbling enough?

Catholic Church's Pedophilia Investigator Jailed For Pedophilia

by David Badash on November 14, 2011

The Catholic Church’s pedophilia investigator, in charge of child protection and interviewing adults who as children had been victims of pedophile priests today was jailed on pedophilia charges in England.

49-year old Christopher Jarvis, a married man with four children of his own, began serving his 12-month sentence after serving the Catholic Church for nine years in a dioscese that included 120 Catholic Churches.

Jarvis admitted to the charges, which included possession of 4000 images of pre-pubescent boys, including several depicting sadism, child rape, and torture.

Your lack of knowledge of what you are reading is amazing! You do not even fully understand the words used. Just totally outrageous! That you really think you make any sense of what is the words you just posted. Outrageous!

You still try to interpret what you can't. Amazing!

Your thinking is Dangerous wrong because you do not know what you attempt to explain. Astonishing!!

If some one has passing thoughts and does not act on the sin. Did you not have a passing thought on sins. It's any sins. Just outrageous for you to think you know to tell us.

It is like you just almost can get to a good point but you can not even arrive.

I will be praying for you! Just astonishing!! May God open up your mind!

That's terrible but that is not every one. You have an obsession that is really amazing!!

So let me ask you what did you do today for all victims of crime. Your in the human race what have you done personally. Because once you accuse the layity of a church what is the common reference for you!! Hello!

I do not even think you know what I am talking about.

Let's hear your successful preventive measures in a true reality of experience. What an accuser!

I am tired of a accusing of layity while you think you can seat in judgement. There is a whole load of peole who been hearing your false rant against who?? A criminal? Yes!! A criminal only!!! But you want to imply or say the church goer is guilty ? Amazing!!

The very title “Homosexual” delineates a sin against God, and illustrates a continuing mind set that is adversarial to obedience.... This is the deception of our day that goes unchallenged in most Churches.......Preachers telling us that homosexuals can be Christian and inherit the kingdom. God says no, “be not deceived,” they shall not inherit it..... So for people today to blatantly ignore that precept and claim that they will is both confusion and a denial that God’s Holy word is true.

Saying that there are non-practicing homosexuals is akin to saying that there are non-practicing harlots, or there are non-practicing murderers. ....Why would any Christian want to call herself a harlot if they are no longer selling themselves? Of course, the only honest answer is that, they wouldn’t! It is really a ridiculous concept, and yet it has found favor in some Churches.

This back door defense is without any scriptural validation, and is actually nothing more than baseless debate or justifications of man’s wisdom. ..... These are those who want to be called Christian, but who also insist on retaining the title of Homosexual or Gay Christian. .......The reasons they give may vary, but they all have that same attachment to the concept. ie,.... though they profess outwardly to be of Christ, they really don’t want to completely let go or surrender their old life for Him. ......And keeping the name allows them to partially hold on to the delusion that it’s really not an unlawful thing to be Gay.

Is a ‘non-practicing’ homosexual still guilty of homosexuality? Of course he is........ Because the sin is in the very “thought process,” not the physical act itself. ......Would a Christian who has an adulterous thought pop into his head, then choose to call himself a Christian Adulterer? God forbid! Likewise, there is no such thing as a Christian Homosexual. ....The mere fact that someone would have a desire to retain the title homosexual, while professing their new life in Christ, indicates that they have not yet truly repented of their sin. .....It is actually a dire confession that they desire to retain certain name rights to that former lifestyle. In the true Christian who is born from above, there has been a great spiritual change. We are no longer swine, but sheep. Would anyone want to retain the moniker, swine? It makes no sense.

Of course, the modernist would query, “What’s in a name?” But I would retort that one who desires a name that signifies something that is an abomination to God, should instead question, “what is really in his heart.” Because what we once were, in Christ Jesus we are no more.

Exerts from......Can A Homosexual Be a Christian.......http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/apologetics/homosex.shtml

I don’t think posting about the Sacraments is “fomenting dissension”. In any case, we’ve certainly seen a lot worse from long time posters here.

To theorize LDS is beyond paranoia, IMHO.

Rzman has posted quite a few articles that I’ve found interesting and thoughtful. One in particular was from a protestant author and the stated goal was to find common ground beyond the surface brickbats we see too often on FR. Of course that thread received very little attention.

I suggest you check it out and seek some intelligent discourse.

The common thread here is they consider Catholicism on par with the LDS.

The fact both of us are ex-Protestants has to gnaw their craw.

I know very little about LDS because I don’t read its fabricated theology.

Martin Luther and Joseph Smith had similar unsavory characters based on my reading about the latter.

Reading Die Luther Werke showed me just how vile of a human being Martin Luther was. I also was disgusted even more by Luther when I had to read a book at Lutheran Valparaiso University in 1993 where Luther wrote a vulgar letter to someone where he said that they would “cum together in Christ.”

Luther, like Joseph Smith, sanctioned bigamy and murder when it suited him.http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2007/02/luthers-melanchthons-duplicity.html

This man was from hell.

Homosexual persons are called to chastity

No...that's a lie...God never "calls Homosexuals" to chastity....rather to repentance and becoming a new creature in Christ...putting off of the old man of sin.

Individuals can be former thieves, former pornographers, and former homosexuals, but they cannot be those things and be Christian also.

A Christian is a "new" creation sealed with the Holy Spirit. And so they would no longer want to be called that which is abominable to God. Rather than a source of pride, this title would be an abomination to them, the same as it is to God.

And yet the catholic church says retains the name for the,and allows the title to stay in their very instructions to them in that catechism..." Homosexuals are called to chastity".... Not even acknowledgment that they are not homosexuals when Christ sets them free...the church still labels them Homosexual and devises behavior for them. Now that's what's truly astonishing.

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.