Screenshot from GetOrdained.org
“Ordination” is an associated concept defined by Wikipedia as “the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy, who are thus then authorized (usually by the denominational hierarchy composed of other clergy) to perform various religious rites and ceremonies.” The process can actually be quite simple as laid out on the GetOrdained.org site.
It all begs the question about what God has set forth for the qualifications for a preacher.
How Scripture answers "What are the qualifications for a preacher?"
The qualifications for a preacher of God are simply that he preach or teach in a way that agrees with sound doctrine4, or, proclaiming the gospel of Christ2. A skilled speaker isn’t a pre-requisite5, nor are even the “pure” motives2 of the individual. This is indeed a stark contrast to the religious opinions today that claim “anyone should have the right to become ordained as a minister and ‘captain their own spiritual ship’, no matter what their specific beliefs may be.”
A prophet of God is a distinct role from that of a preacher (Ephesians 4:11-14) and served a purpose that has passed (Ephesians 2:19-21). And yet, the prophet’s similarity to the role of a preacher is worth noting here. While one literally spoke the words of God3, the other is tasked with effectively the same mission4. And just as the hearer was required to test the prophet’s message as true or false, so too must we determine a preacher’s messsage to be consistent with God’s14.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.
God declares that the prophet that has a dream should tell the dream, but the prophet who has My word should speak it faithfully. Straw has nothing to do with wheat!
God, through Jeremiah, is speaking out against the religious leadership in Judah. In the midst of this condemnation of the “shepherds who destroy and scatter my sheep” (vs 1), there is a preview to the “latter days” when Jesus will rule as king faithfully (vss 5-8). But in the meantime, God condemns the many false prophets and even the priests (vs 33).
Applying Jeremiah 23:28 to this question...
The prophets (true or false) were judged according to their speaking God’s words. Some were instead speaking “the deceit of their own heart” (vs 26).
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
Some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, while others do so from goodwill and love, knowing that I [Paul] am here to defend the gospel. Others proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, hoping to afflict me in my imprisonment. Even so, Christ is proclaimed, whether in pretense or truth, and in that I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.
Paul is in prison in Rome and is uncertain of his future – whether release or death. He’s writing to the church in Philippi with greetings and encouragement.
Applying Philippians 1:15-18 to this question...
That Christ is proclaimed is the goal of preaching, even when the one preaching isn’t acting from sincere or pure motives.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
What am I (God) going to do with my people? Your love is fleeting. As a result, my words through the prophets have resulted in condemnation, with His judgment going forth like light. First and foremost, I require love and knowledge of Me over sacrificing and burnt offerings (eg. acts of worship).
Hosea prophesied primarily to the northern ten tribes, the nation of Israel, during the time of Jereboam II (~750BC). This was during a time of great peace, prosperity, and stability for the nation, but just a decade or two before they would be taken away and destroyed by Assyria. In this specific part, God is lamenting the fact that His people — the northern nation of Israel (e.g. “Ephraim”) and the southern nation of Judah — are rebellious. Their repentance (vss 1-3) is really just empty words that “like the dew goes early away.”
Applying Hosea 6:4-6 to this question...
The prophets, by God’s words (not their own), shaped and “slew” the people with words of judgment that reached everyone.
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
But you should teach that which agrees with sound doctrine.
Paul is writing to a young preacher, Titus. He provides instructions regarding many of the other roles in the congregation including pastors/elders in chapter one. He continues to give instruction regarding behavior to certain segments/groups within the church: older men (2:2), older women (2:3), younger women (2:4), younger men (2:6) and finally slaves (2:9). With all of these, their behavior is to be exhibited as would “accord with sound doctrine” (1:9, 2:1, 2:10).
Applying Titus 2:1 to this question...
Titus, a young preacher, was to teach only what agreed with “sound doctrine”.
Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
Even though I [Paul] may not be skilled in speaking, I’m in no way inferior to these so-called ‘super-apostles’ since I’m in knowledge of God’s word and have made this plain to you in all things.
Paul, while away from Corinth, is being marginalized by other men that Paul refers to as “super-apostles” (vs 5). They are criticizing what Paul spoke when he “preached God’s gospel” to them “free of charge” (vs 7 xref Acts 18:8-11). He is warning the Corinthians of these individuals’ inferiority in the knowledge of Christ and labels them as “false apostles” and “deceitful workmen” (vs 13).
Applying 2 Corinthians 11:5-6 to this question...
Paul was an apostle, but here refers to his time among the Corinthian brethren as a preacher. He successfully fulfilled that role according to knowledge (of Christ), not based on any speaking skills (e.g. human requirements).
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