JESUS CHURCH
ORDINATION
Ordination is the official recognition and anointing of a man who qualifies to be in one of the ministries of Ephesians 4:11.
The Jesus Church does not make blanket ordinations and then allow a man to pick and choose his office. Each man ordained within the Jesus Church will be set in order within the ministerial office he will minister to the Body. If he at some time qualifies and seeks a different office he may request ordination into that ministry.
In addition to the offices of Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher: Jesus Church also ordains Deacons, Elders, and Bishops. This will be explaned below. All ordinations are into the original Apostolic Messianic faith of the New Testament.
Apostles: Jesus Church does not have the authority to ordain or recognize the office of a modern Apostle. We believe the foundation of the Church has already been laid and the 12 apostles thereof remain Apostles to the New Testament Church. In addition, we accept no Apostles after the close of the Apostolic age around 100AD when the last died. There is no need for modern Apostles since all that can be written has been written and all the authority of the Apostles is vested in the Apostle's Doctrine. It is now the Apostle's Doctrine of these Apostles that will be our authority over doctrine, faith, practice, conduct, and order.
Bishop: Jesus Church believes and holds that the office of Bishop fulfills that of Apostle in matters of doctrine, faith, practice, conduct, and order. But, a Bishop does not have the authority of an Apostle, cannot write Scripture, and cannot come up with new doctrine or practice. All Bishops so ordained in the Jesus Church will be an overseer of the Apostle's Doctrine as they were delivered to the New Testament Church. He is not a Bishop because he is a Pastor. Not all Pastors are Bishops and no man can take to himself this office unless he is called into this Ministry and is so ordained, being found faithful. Not all Bishops must be a Pastor.
Elders: Jesus Church will ordain men called to Minister but who do not qualify as yet for an office in the Five-Fold Ministry. These Elders will be novices who having proven themselves may then be ordained as Evangelist or Teacher. The reason for this is to give these men platforms from which to minister without having authority over the congregation. In the Jesus Chuirch, they cannot be ordained as a Prophet, Pastor, Bishop until they qualify. We do not recognize or accept any office to which a man calls himself and then ordains himself. We recognize God does the calling but we also recognize that men can run in vain if they do not obtain the right hand of fellowship. These must be accepted by those already in ordained authority and who already are properly set within the Body of Christ. Young men who are not humble to those in authority over them cannot be ordained to any office in the Jesus Church.
All Ministers are Elders, but not all Elders are Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers.
The Jesus Church does not recognize many men who have taken the office of Pastor or Bishop by self-ordination or by usurping that office or authority. Any Minister who comes into our fellowship, having been prior ordained, must be re-ordained.
Deacons: Deacons are to be ordained by their Pastor.
The Jesus Church will then ordain Ministers into the offices of Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Elder, and Bishop.
Racism: Jesus Church does not practice racism. All people of all nations regardless of race or color are welcome to affillate with the Jesus Church so long as they agree to accept and abide with our statement of faith and by-laws. We will recognize each and every Man of God and child of God based upon their new birth not their first birth. We are believers that salvation is by grace not by race. Each Church so affiliated for fellowship shall remain independent, sovereign, and autonomous but will submit to be Bishoped by Bishop Reckart or some other quaified Bishop.
If you desire to associate with the Jesus Church and the International JMFI body, please email your information to Bishop Reckart.
