The Black Forest Project 421: THE DEBATE: ORDINATION BY THE LOT

²¹So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” ²³And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. – Acts 1 vs 21 to 26 (ESV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/10/21/difficult-bible-passages-acts-126/]

In my first post about the ordination by the lot, I blogged about how it is being used. In this second blog post, I will give my thoughts on why I am neutral on whether ordination should be done by the drawing of the lot. First, I will show two sides of the debate:

No, the lot should not be used

(Acts 1:26) Should we cast lots?

CLAIM: The eleven apostles needed a twelfth after the death of Judas. To make the decision between Barsabbas and Matthias, Luke records that “they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26). Why did they cast lots for such a major decision, and are we supposed to do this today?

RESPONSE: This practice of casting lots is taken from passages such as Proverbs 16:33 which states, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” This practice was common in the old covenant for difficult decisions. In fact, God gave the high priest Urim and Thummim, which were sacred dice that would help them in casting lots (Lev. 8:8). The events of Acts 1 were still technically in the old covenant, because the Holy Spirit wouldn’t fall on believers until Acts 2 at Pentecost. Since both Barsabbas and Matthias were equally qualified to be apostles, this decision was certainly difficult, so they used the practice of casting lots to determine God’s will. Now that we are in the new covenant with the special indwelling of the Holy Spirit, these sorts of practices are not necessary. This must be why we never see another instance of casting lots in the NT after this event. In fact, when decisions like this occur in Acts 6 and Acts 13, we do not see the casting of lots, but only references to prayer instead.

SOURCE: https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/nt-difficulties/john-acts/acts-126-should-we-cast-lots/

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. — Proverbs 16:33 (KJV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://images.app.goo.gl/Zz2yDy3rMqr8ratx7]

Yes, the lot should be used

Ordination By Lot

Congregation: Kirkwood

Speaker: Dave Sweigart

Date: May 29, 2022

Audio Runtime: 40:43

Summary: Teaching on the lot, and how it works. Why we use it in our ordinations.

https://www.pilgrimministry.org/sermons/ordination-by-lot

While the lot was cast for the last time as shown in Acts 1 vs 26, there is no verse in the Bible that condemns the use of the lot.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴²And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And awe^[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2 vs 42 to 47 (ESV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://slideplayer.com/slide/15867780/]

Make sure the candidates qualify as ministers:

Whether you agree with using the lot or not, there is one essential point, make sure the candidate qualifies and is prepared to be a minister. See this:

A pastor must be able to teach (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim 3:2). All of the other qualifications are character qualities. This is the only ability-based requirement. He is to be able to teach sound doctrine, not just be able to communicate in an excellent manner. His teaching can be to one or two, to twenty, to a hundred or to a thousand. Most of the churches in Crete were house churches. The elders were to defend the faith once delivered to the saints against the numerous false teachers that arose.

SOURCE: https://www.acts29.com/biblical-qualifications-of-a-pastor/

According to Scripture, virtually everything that truly qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character.

- John F. MacArthur

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-author/john-macarthur-quotes/]

For example, if the candidate has not completed his Bible college, it is recommended that he withdraw till he has graduated.

See 1:23:10 onwards of this video, the two candidates, Glenn Miller and Nate Bange, where one of them will be ordained if the lot falls on them. They were interviewed before and they both were prepared to be the bishop if the process reviews it.

Bishop Nomination Service

Weavertown Church

Streamed live on May 4, 2023

VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j0rqsnm6SE

I take a neutral stance:

As a disclaimer here, I do not support using the lot for divination or lucky draw. In ancient China, and especially in Chinese folk religion, various means of divination through random means are employed, such as qiúqiān (求簽). In Japan, omikuji is one form of drawing lots. I do not use the lot for these, I read my bible and pray when it comes to difficult decisions. I believe in the sufficiency of scripture, as Wayne Grudem said:

The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. – Wayne Grudem

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/707419]

https://lutherandcalvinbrigade914.blogspot.com/2020/02/be-filled-with-holy-spirit-eph-518.html

³⁹Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. ⁴⁰And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. – John 5:39-40 (KJV)

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://thekingjamesversionbible.com/john-5-39-40]

https://lutherandcalvinbrigade914.blogspot.com/2022/02/michael-horton-on-how-to-read-bible.html

Let's compare: Andy Stanley VS. The Bible.
Christians Must 'Unhitch' Old Testament From Their Faith, Says Andy Stanley.
But the Bible says: "Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" ~ Luke 24:27

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/apologeticministry/photos/a.243521602351042/1627540243949164/]

https://lutherandcalvinbrigade914.blogspot.com/2022/02/michael-horton-on-how-to-read-bible.html

I read my whole bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 and I cannot find a single verse that condemns the use of the lot for ordination. However, I do understand and accept that some Christians do not think it should be used because of the new covenant and of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 onwards. I agree that the lot is not the only way for ordination, there must be interviews and qualifications. Therefore, I remain neutral.

Selection of the seven deacons

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.kofastudy.com/courses/jss3-christian-religious-studies-1st-term/lessons/fellowship-in-the-early-church-week-3-4/topic/the-desired-qualities-of-a-deacon/]

http://www.beachyam.org/secure/archive/MMM2008-Arthur.pdf

Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it is a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

[PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/875190]

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/10/21/difficult-bible-passages-acts-126/

https://simonjfry.wordpress.com/the-lot/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleromancy