The Elder’s Ordination (2): Significant for the Elder
This article examines the theological and practical significance of publicly ordaining or installing elders in the church, grounding the practice in biblical examples from both Old and New Testaments. The author develops reasons for public installation ceremonies from the perspective of the elder being ordained, particularly emphasizing how the church confirms her call through such formal acts. This resource will appeal to readers interested in understanding Reformed church polity and the biblical basis for ecclesiastical office.
Previous article in this series: April 1, 2015, p. 304. "…Over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers…" (Acts 20:28). In our last article we began examining the matter of the ordination of elders into office. This refers, we saw, to the work of the church by which she officially and authoritatively places a man into that church office for which he was chosen. We noted that, while both words "ordination" and "installation" refer to this activity of the church, there is an important...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org