28- Singled Out To Carry Out The Ministry Of Laying On Of Hands And To Appoint Servants

[23] They Were Singled Out To Carry Out The Ministry Of Laying On Of Hands And To Appoint Servants

As we see from the succeeding verses that the “Laying on of

Hands” was only assigned to the apostles and their successors. (a) In the ordination of the seven deacons

(Acts 6:3-6) "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, {6} whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

If all were priests, what was the need for the disciples to perform the “Laying on of Hands”?

(b) Saint Paul exhorts his disciple bishop Timothy;

St-Takla.org Image: The Seven Deacons: "And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch" (Acts 6:5). صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: الشمامسة السبعة: "فاختاروا استفانوس رجلا مملوا من الايمان والروح القدس وفيلبس وبروخورس ونيكانور وتيمون وبرميناس ونيقولاوس دخيلا انطاكيا" (أعمال الرسل 6: 5).

(2 Tim 1:6) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(c) He also says to bishop Timothy

(1 Tim 5:22) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.

If all were clergy (priests) why the laying on of hands? (d) Also Saint Paul instructs His disciple Titus

(Titus 1:5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders (priests) in every city as I commanded you;

If everyone in the congregation had the function of a priest, why would Saint Paul issue such instruction?

(e) How about what Saint Paul said about Timothy’s method of ordination?

(1 Tim 4:14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

It is noted that the Protestant denominations wrongly use the word (elder) to denote a priest, while this word was usually used to denote the apostles and the bishops, this is clear from the following verses

(1 Pet 5:1) The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

(2 John 1:1) THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,

(3 John 1:1) THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

We can see from the above that “Laying on of Hands” was necessary for all grades of priesthood, it was not for every one but for the apostles, their bishops and their successors.