MINISTRY GOVERNING AUTHORITY: DO I HAVE TO BE SENT OUT BY ANOTHER OFFICE? A PRESBYTERY?

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MINISTRY GOVERNING AUTHORITY

IS IT SIN TO BE ATYPICAL?
Must a senior office apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, evangelist BE SENT OUT BY, OR UNDER , HAVE PRESBYTERY to be official, God called, authentic and genuine according to FIRST CHURCH, JESUS, APOSTLE PAUL?
TD’s inquiring mind wants to KNOW!

Taveau asks Chat GPT AI for history:

According to very first church and the Bible: Did, now does an authentic, genuine 5 fold ministry office need to be ordained? Sent out from and by another ministry and sr office. Did they, do they have to have a prophetic presbytery like right now. Respond in Bible KJV and in Hebrew.Plus site examples

Chat GPT AI responds:

I. The Pattern of the “Sent Ones”

**1. “Apostle” — Greek: apostolos (ἀπόστολος)**

Meaning: “One who is sent, commissioned, or dispatched with authority.”
There is no mention of a formal ceremony resembling later ordination rituals.

John 20:21 (KJV):
“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
→ Christ Himself “sent” (Greek apostellō) the apostles — no earthly presbytery, only divine commissioning.
Acts 13:2–3:
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
Then the local prophets and teachers laid hands on them and sent them away.
→ The initiative came from the Holy Ghost, not institutional ordination.
→ The “laying on of hands” was an act of recognition, not licensing.

II. Did They Need Ordination?

The First Church never used the later Roman-Greek model of hierarchical ordination.
Instead, they practiced:

Divine calling → confirmation through prophecy or fruit of ministry → recognition by elders.

Paul’s example

Galatians 1:1 (KJV):
“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father…).”
→ He emphasizes that his authority was not from any presbytery or human ordination.

Timothy’s example

1 Timothy 4:14:
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
→ This was a prophetic act confirming a gift, not a denominational credential.
- Greek presbyterion = “council of elders.”
- Hebrew root idea for zakēn (זָקֵן) = “elder, mature one,” meaning experienced spiritual overseers, not bureaucrats.

So Timothy’s “ordination” was a prophetic recognition by mature leaders — similar to prophetic confirmation today, but not required for all.

III. Prophetic Commissioning in the Old and New

Old Testament pattern

Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 19:16):
“Elisha… shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.”
→ Direct call and symbolic act — no council or priesthood approval.
Moses and Joshua (Numbers 27:18–23):
Moses lays hands on Joshua at God’s command — prophetic transfer of authority.

These were God-initiated appointments, witnessed by the community

IV. Summary of First-Church Order

Office	How Chosen	Example	By Whom	Type of Recognition
Apostle	Directly sent by Christ or Holy Spirit	Acts 13:2–3	Holy Spirit, elders confirm	Laying on of hands
Prophet	Called by God, confirmed by fruit	Acts 11:27–28, 21:10–11	Holy Spirit	Prophetic witness
Evangelist	Recognized by gift and fruit	Acts 8:5–17 (Philip)	Apostles confirm	Laying on of hands after conversion
Pastor (Shepherd)	Raised up from among flock	Acts 20:28	Holy Ghost appoints	Elders recognize
Teacher	Known for doctrine and character	Acts 13:1	Holy Spirit	Fellowship confirmation

V. Hebrew and Greek Roots of “Ordain” and “Send”

Term	Original Word	Meaning	Key Verses
Ordain	Hebrew nathan (נָתַן) = to appoint, give	Numbers 27:23	Simple appointment, not ritual
	Greek tithēmi (τίθημι) = to place or set	John 15:16 “I have chosen and ordained you”
Send	Hebrew shalach (שָׁלַח) = to send forth	Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send?”
	Greek apostellō (ἀποστέλλω) = to send with commission	Matthew 10:5, Acts 13:3

The emphasis is always God’s initiative → recognition by mature believers → fruitful sending.

VI. Conclusion

The First Church (Acts–Ephesians model) did not require:

Institutional ordination,
Formal paperwork,
Denominational licensing.

They did practice:

Hearing the Holy Spirit together,
Prophetic confirmation (presbytery),
Laying on of hands as a symbolic agreement with God’s call.

Thus, a genuine apostle, prophet, or pastor today must still be called and sent by the Lord, not appointed by man — though local elders may confirm that calling for order and unity.

Summary Verse (KJV):

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11–12

No presbytery created these offices — Christ did.

SECOND PART:

Taveau asks CH

Taveau asks Chat GPT AI

Some ministry groups, especially those of a particular style, may require a formal “sending” by a presbytery or a similar structure to be regarded as licensed or affiliated. While this practice is accepted within certain traditions and is perfectly fine in God’s eyes, is it viewed as rebellious or “flaky” by others? Are those who do not adhere to these traditions sometimes accused of being “too independent” or even linked to satanic influences by both ministries and laypeople? What does the Bible, especially in the context of Jesus, Paul, and the First Church, say about this matter?

Chat GPT AI respectfully replies:

In-depth Answer:

1. Context of Formal “Sending” in Ministry

Many modern ministry groups, especially those following hierarchical or institutionalized models, require a formal “sending” (e.g., through presbyteries, ordination councils, or denominational licensing). This practice is seen as a means of legitimizing a ministry, often through accountability structures and affiliation with a larger movement or denomination. These structures, while historically rooted in tradition, are widely accepted and respected in certain theological frameworks.

Is this practice “wicked” or “rebellious” in God’s eyes?

Not necessarily. The key is that God works through both formal and informal systems. For example, God sent Jesus through a very clear “sending” process, recognized publicly by others (Matt. 3:16-17). Likewise, in the First Church, leaders were sent by the Holy Spirit but often recognized and confirmed by local elders or apostles.

While God can use both formal and informal methods, the main question is about the motive and submission to the Holy Spirit. Formal sending does not inherently make a person more anointed or legitimate than one sent directly by God. In fact, even those sent by the Holy Spirit, without human intervention, can have authority from God.

Are those who do not adhere to these traditions rebellious or “flaky”?

This depends on the spiritual maturity of the group or individuals making such claims. From a First Church perspective, independence in ministry is not inherently rebellious but can be abused or misused. It’s a fine line: Too much independence can result in spiritual isolation, lack of accountability, or unhealthy autonomy that goes against the unity Christ desired for His Church (Eph. 4:3-4). Flakiness, in this case, could refer to those who do not submit to God’s ordained community structure, but it must be understood that there are cases where the Spirit calls individuals to act outside traditional structures (Acts 13:2-3, Gal. 1:1).

The accusation of rebellion often arises when an individual ministry lacks humility or avoids accountability (1 Peter 5:5). However, legalistic systems might wrongly accuse people of rebellion simply because they reject human-made traditions that aren’t biblically mandated.

2. What the Bible Says (Hebrew, Greek, and KJV)

Jesus’ Model of Sending:

John 20:21 (KJV) – “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
- Greek: apostellō (ἀποστέλλω), meaning to send with a commission.
- Jesus’ sending was initiated by the Father and confirmed in His life and ministry, but there was no presbytery or hierarchical structure required for His divine commission.
- The authority of Jesus was inherent in His mission and confirmed through His fruit. Even so, He recognized and submitted to the Father’s will (Matt. 26:39).

Paul’s Model of Sending:

Galatians 1:1 (KJV) – “Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.”
- Greek: Not of men (ouk ex anthrōpōn), meaning not originating from human authority.
- Paul clearly states that his apostolic authority was from Christ alone, and yet, he submitted to the fellowship and confirmation of the other apostles (Gal. 2:9). The apostolic community confirmed his calling, but did not create it.
Acts 13:2-3 (KJV) – “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
- Greek: Apostellō (ἀποστέλλω) again – the Holy Spirit initiated the sending, and the elders laid hands on the missionaries as a confirmation, not as a creator of the calling.
- This model of sending emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the one who calls, but human affirmation and partnership confirm the calling.

First Church Model:

1 Timothy 4:14 (KJV) – “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
- Greek: Presbyterion (πρεσβυτέριον), a council of elders.
- The presbytery laid hands on Timothy to affirm the prophecy, not to ordain him as a leader. The gift was given by God, not created by human hands.
Acts 14:23 (KJV) – “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
- Greek: Cheirotoneō (χειροτονέω) – appointed by a vote of the hand, or by prayer and fasting.
- The ordination of elders here is about recognition of what God had already done in the local church, not a man-made empowerment.

3. Is “Formal Ordination” Wrong?

Formal ordination is not inherently wicked or rebellious, but can sometimes reflect human-made systems that may stifle the leading of the Holy Spirit. When a ministry requires licensing or affiliation, it should be for accountability and recognition, not for control.
The First Church was not dependent on man-made systems but recognized that God could use both formal and informal structures. Sending from human presbyteries was secondary to the call of God (Acts 13:2–3).

4. Rebellion vs. Recognition:

Rebellion occurs when an individual rejects God’s appointed order for leadership (1 Peter 5:5) and acts independently without submission to the Spirit’s work in the Body.
But, the First Church model supports the recognition of calling by fellow believers, not a hierarchical, authoritarian system. Flakiness comes when someone refuses Biblical submission or refuses accountability (Hebrews 13:17). The key is balance:

Recognize God’s initiative in calling.
Submit to God’s ordained leaders who recognize His call.

5. What Does This Mean Today?

Licensing and formal ordination have their place in traditions, but should never replace personal divine calling.
Accountability is key: Every leader must be under authority—God’s authority (Matthew 28:18), local church authority (Hebrews 13:17), and elders who affirm the Spirit’s call.
Spirit-led submission: A healthy ministry will submit to Holy Spirit-led order, without legalistic manipulation (Romans 12:8). True ministry will be defined by its fruit and the spiritual authority given by Christ, not by the paperwork.

Final Thought:
**True “ordination” is not about paperwork or human ritual but is rooted in God’s divine calling, confirmed by the fruit of the Spirit, and recognized in the fellowship of believers.

To be continued in another article PART 2