Orthodox: Then I will allow myself to read some of the excerpts from his letters and speeches: "What more will I say with my poorly prepared speech, except that my soul, redeemed by His blood, must remain pure." From this text we see his humility and deep hope in the significance of the redemptive sacrifice of the Blood of the Son of God. "Providence!

What a wound it has inflicted on my heart to learn that there have been disagreements among yourselves, far more important than in Africa, that you, through whom I hoped to give medicine to others, are yourself in need of much greater healing." Here we see how genuinely concerned he was about the disorders in the Christian church and their consequences for the cause of spreading the gospel.

As he sang of Christian love: "This house of the Lord is guarded by two guards: on the one hand, the fear of God for the correction of the thoughts of some people, on the other hand, for the sober-minded, the ever-present love of God, this reward of wisdom." It is difficult to imagine that having such statements, a person was renounced Christian principles and concepts and allowed to preside over the Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.

The significance of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was also emphasized in biblical prophecies: "Wisdom built herself a house, hewn out its seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1); "And he cried out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring; and when he cried out, then the seven thunders spoke with their voices" (Rev. 10:3). But let us return to our discussion of the Church. I spoke about the continuity of true Christianity, which for me is identical with the concept of Orthodoxy.

Now I would like to say about the importance of such a concept as ordination. A lawful, properly ordained priesthood, which has succession from the apostles, is a guarantee of the continuity and truth of the Christian assembly (Church).   3. Orthodox Ordination: I know that you do not have ordination as such. I think this circumstance puts you in a contradictory position in relation to those biblical texts that speak of ordination.

The Bible teaches that through ordination the spirit of wisdom and the right to command (to rule over the people of God) are given: "And Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses laid his hands on him, and the children of Israel obeyed him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:9). Through the ordination, the grace of God was given, and this order was established by God Himself: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Take to you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom there is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him...

and give him of thy glory, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hear him" (Num. 27:18,20). St. the apostles were called to service by the Lord Himself, and He Himself gave them the authority to perform the Sacraments: "Jesus said to them a second time, Peace be unto you! as the Father has sent me, so do I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22); "At last he appeared to the eleven themselves, who were reclining at the supper...

And he said to them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 1b:14-1b). But even those who were directly called by Christ by Ap. Paul (Acts 9:1-8), needed the laying on of hands (Latin for confirmation) to be filled with the Holy Spirit: "Ananias went and entered the house, and laying his hands on him, said, 'Brother Saul!

The Lord Jesus, who appeared to you in the way you walked, sent me so that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately it was as if scales fell from his eyes, and suddenly he regained his sight; and he arose, and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18). Later, he was ordained to serve as an evangelist in the Church: "As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Then they fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, and sent them away" (Acts 13:2-3). The ordination gave Ap. Paul has the right of a bishop to ordain others: "And having ordained for them elders for each church, they prayed with fasting, and committed them to the Lord, in whom they believed" (Acts 14:23). Jehovah's Witness: In our translation, this text sounds somewhat different: "They also appointed elders for them in every congregation, and after prayer and fasting they committed them to Jehovah, in whom they believed" (N.M. – Acts 14:23).

As you can see, there is no word "ordination" here. In Greek, the word ceirotonew means, as it is said in the dictionary of A.D. Weisman, giving a vote in the people's assembly by raising a hand or electing, confirming someone in office. Orthodox: This is not entirely true, because in the Apostolic Church, as well as now, consecration was performed through the laying on of hands, this tradition came from the Old Testament. We've read about it.

If we look at the text about Paul's ordination, we can see this: "While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then they fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, and sent them away" (Acts 13:2-3). Here in Greek it says: epiqenteV taV ceiraV, which literally means: epiqenteV (

put, laid, vzvali – from the Greek verb "epitiqhmi") taV ceiraV (hands). There are no other options in this case, and therefore the Synodal translation is correct when it speaks of ordination. It is also known from the history of the Church that the election of candidates for the priesthood always preceded ordination. It is strange that the translators of Novy Mir confused the first with the second. So, let's continue.

Apostles or their successors, bishops, could ordain and confirm (Acts 8:14-17; 1 Tim. 5:22). Not only presbyters and bishops were ordained, but also deacons: "They set them before the Apostles, and these prayed, and laid hands on them" (Acts 6:6). Not all Christians perform pastoral ministry: "And some God has ordained in the Church, first, apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers; furthermore, to others He gave miraculous powers, as well as the gifts of healing, help, guidance, and various tongues. Are all the Apostles? Are all prophets? Are they all teachers? Are all miracle workers? Does everyone have the gifts of healing? Does everyone speak in tongues? Are all interpreters?" (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).