The question of how a Protestant becomes a pastor never actually crossed my mind. But when Kenny Burchard of Catholic Bible Highlights made a podcast on the subject I knew the subject was of great importance.
As a Catholic I understand that our Bishops and Priests are in direct line of the apostles of Christ. It is what we call apostolic succession. An unbroken line for over 2000 years. Protestant pastors can not claim to be a part of this line as they broke off from the Church in the 1500's during the Protestant Reformation.
In this podcast, Kenny lays out the story of how Protestant pastors are ordained and how this differs from how Catholic priests are ordained. One is of man and one is of God. He starts his video with this question: Do you know how your Protestant pastor was ordained?
He gives 7 options for these man made ordinations: 1. They were self-ordained. They decided to start a church, ordained themselves, and hung up their shingle. 2. Congregational ordination. This is where a pastor will be voted in by committee. 3. Presbyterian ordination is when the elders of the church vote in a new pastor. 4. Seminary ordination. Pastors who attend a specific seminary may receive an ordination at the end of their education. Some congregations source their pastors from a specific seminary. 5. 3rd Party Credential Program. 6. Online ordination. Here a person pays a fee and receives a certificate of ordination. 7. Episcopal ordination. Here a Bishop within a specific denomination will appoint a pastor.
In the Catholic Church ordination is handed down through Jesus. Jesus designed ordination when he commissions the 12 apostles in Matthew 28: 18-21.
"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
Also see John 20:21.
"Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even to I send you."
The 12 are sent out into the world where they have the authority, through Jesus, to lay hands on their delegates. Such as when Judas commits suicide and a new apostle was selected in Acts 1:15 - 26
"And they put forward two Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "Lord, you know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles." (Acts 1: 23 - 26)
They give their delegates the authority to lay hands on others.
"For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Tim 1:6)
"Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolus, proselyte of Antioch These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them." (Acts 6:3-6)
This happens throughout the ages in perpetuity down to the present day through the laying on of hands by the Bishops to the Priests. In the following passages we see three generations of succession: Timothy, his successor, and their successor.
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Tim 2:2)
Our Catholic Priests are in apostolic succession to the apostles who were given authority from Jesus.
Other important scripture for this lesson are:
Titus 1:5 "This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you."
1 Tim 5:22 "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins."
1 Tim 1:3 "As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine."
Alright take out your bible and follow along with Kenny as he discusses how Protestant pastors are ordained, if it is a biblical ordination, and how Catholic priesthood differs from Protestant ordination.
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