[Pastor Ralph]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

[charisbarak]

Give yourself & the church time to get to know the person--let him be tested first. You may miss many sinful behaviors which would only be revealed as they serve.

The dangers can be lessened when you give the person time. Let them serve as a deacon before any other important office such as an elder. See if they are humble as they serve the body as a deacon.

[JanMary]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"?

Paul is urging Timothy to take his time in ordaining anyone...check them out, test them first, get to know them well. The amplified gives reference to "not being too hasty in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordaining questionable cases." If it's an expelled Elder, Paul would be exhorting Timothy to be certain that genuine repentance and change has occurred. The laying on of hands is a serious step, and is not to be entered into lightly.

What are the dangers in doing so?

Paul told Timothy he could enter into their sin. I think that would be like validating a questionable, untried Elder, and then being responsible for not vetting him/her. The danger could be in inviting a wolf in sheeps clothing into the fold! An untried person may be a chameleon, whose sins have been hidden and haven't come to light yet. Satan is always trying to infiltrate the church...as in the tares....Discernment is key.

How can these dangers be lessened?

I think it goes without saying that first and foremost, prayer in seeking God's choice for the position, and waiting upon the Lord until it becomes clear. Place the individual in lesser positions to see how faithful they are. Get to know them, on an intimate level. Listen to them pray. Spend time with them. Let other leaders check them out too. Sin and false doctrine can't be concealed for too long.

[iam4-1god]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

It is important that we get to know someone before we give them responsibility. With time, good and bad things come out. Also, we are responsible for conducting all our church affairs in a Godly manner, so that we do not set a bad example, and so that our decisions don't come back to "haunt" us.

[debbine]

Paul says not to be hasty because being in office was an official position taken on given by the elders. It took a certain person to hold each position. If an elder committed a sin against his office, a replacement was not to be found immediately. The elder had to be dealt with first and then determine if he would be given back his position. The people in office had to be tried and trusted before taken office. If another person was given a position swiftly without being tested he may do worse than the person he replace.

[Elwood C O'Dell]

To ordain someone in a hasty matter can lead to difficulty down the road. Time should be spent in examination of the candidate to be sure that the qualifications for the office they are seeking have been met in their lives. Dr. Wilson made this statement. “By ordaining people whose lives we don’t really know deeply we can share in their sins.” That’s food for thought. When we lay hands on someone “it involves us with that person at a much deeper level and makes us responsible in some measure for how they conduct themselves in ministry.”

[masika]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?
Because we may overlook major problems or sins. It is a serious responsibility to choose church leaders. They must have strong faith and be morally upright, having the qualities described in 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. Not everyone who wants to be a church leader is eligible. Be certain of an applicant’s qualifications before asking him or her to take a leadership position.
Because sometimes their sins are not obvious and it takes time for them to be revealed. Church leaders should live lives that are above reproach.

[JustJeff]

When choosing and elder that person should be one who is well qualified and has proven themself to be conformed to sound doctrine. This will avoid situations that can arise when someone is an immature Christian and person.

[Jen]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

I think the proper "vetting" of someone for office is very important so you have an idea how this person handles or reacts to different situations. It's important in and out of the church. No one is perfect but it is wise to observe for a while and see past records or recommendations to lessen danger of someone who will harm the church.

God Bless!
Jen
Numbers 6:24-26

[raider]

paul says don't be hasty because he didn't want Timothy to get new converts, or people that little was known about, if there was hastyness they could share in there sins. Paul said they must first be tested, and then if there is nothing against them let them serve and this is how the dangers were lessened.

[hanks]

Q4. (1Timothy 5:22-25)
Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"?
What are the dangers in doing so?
How can these dangers be lessened?
Paul warns Timothy to be serious and not hasty in the selecting process. If selected in haste, and the person sins, then he warns that Timothy will have some culpability for participating in his sin. So he is warned to do it with great caution. He must also not feel threatened in the selection process, because some men are clearly unfit; and in a proper process these will be easily sorted out. On the other hand, those that seem fit for selection can be examined more closely and here the unfit removed from selection. Therefore, it is vital to be involved in the selecting process with great caution, with great care, with great prayer. What is required are leaders according to 1 Timothy chapter 3. The congregation's is then to honour them, protect them, and only if the need does ever arise to very cautiously rebuke them.

[spazzo47]

When you ordain someone, you are publically saying that you believe in the person's ability as a pastor, a leader, and an example setter. Before you make that statement, you need to be sure that the person can live up to who you think they are.

I knew a pastor who met a worship leader that appeared to be everythign he needed. The worship leader was talented in his ministry area, he had pastoral experience, he had a pnated a church in the area (a real need since this pastor wanted to start planting churches. The pastor referred to the worship leader as an answer to prayer. The worship leader became the pastor's right hand man. And then 6 months later, they werent' able to work together for several reasons. The straw that broke the amel's back, as they say, was a piece of advice the worship leader gave to a couple. But htere were other problems too. The worship leader didn't want to plant, but the pastor wouldn't hear that. The worship leader was a talented musician, but he was rarely prepared for rehearsal. THat church lost a good guy and a good servant, and I think the reason was because the pastor didn't take the time to get to know him.

[sahala p.s.]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

Paul says, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands" because if doing so, Timothy or ones who lay on of hands make themselves and church in danger

The dangers in doing so are, first, because we do not really know deeply the lives of them whom have been ordained, it may be apparent that they do not live godly lives or do not live in accordance with God’s word, which those lives will affect the people, and so make church in danger; second, if it is apparent that they do not live godly lives or live in sin, they who lay their hands on those who have been ordained are equally responsible for their deeds and so they can share in the sins of them

These dangers can be lessened in a way that ordain ones we really know deeply, after observing them in a long enough time period and testing them in particular ways, that they are mature in Christ, and live in godliness, and so ones are not new converts

[Moses 4]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

The recent defection of some elders in the church certainly underlined the need for care in selecting replacements. But frankly, whether defection is involved or not, in the best of circumstances this process involves risks. The apostle urges thoroughness so that the risks might be minimized. Prior to the laying on of hands, the ceremony in which the elders signalled before the congregation God's choice of a new elder (4:14; compare Acts 13:3), the leadership of the church must thoroughly examine the candidate. To judge from the bishop/elder code in chapter 3, which Paul gave for this purpose, evidence of Christian lifestyle, not just correct doctrine, was essential.

Pax

[Stan]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

Because in the act of laying on of hands you are giving your consent to that person,you are in agreement with thier ideals and life style. In doing so you take the chance of getting someone in leadership that is unqualified and that will become a false teacher. This could lead to destruction of the church, we should always seek to know those we vote for and appoint to leadership especially in our church.

[kenny]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

Paul is talking about the laying on of hands in the ordination of an elder or deacon here. As we know we should thoroughly test and get to know these people before placing them in authority over Gods people, both for their own as well as the churches sake.

The laying on of hands involves us with that person at a much deeper level and makes us responsible in some measure for how they conduct themselves in ministry. It should not be entered into lightly on behalf of another.

By first getting to know the person , testing their knowledge and looking closely at the way they live out the Christianity in their day to day living.

[Greta]

I have often wondered why Paul said "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands" because in our church the 'laying on of hands' is mainly connected with prayer for healing. I hadn't thought of it as for ordination. For ordination, I can quite see that it is most unwise to rush into anything like this before the candidates have been well tried and tested. It would be like giving your approval to a possibly unsuitable person.

The danger of moving too quickly is that you could jump from the frying pan into the fire and end up with another set of elders who are not as they should be. The congregation would also be very wary of anyone receiving 'quick promotion' in this way.

The dangers can be lessoned by taking time to get to know and thoroughly test anyone before placing him in a position of authority.

[servant for Christ]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

The church cannot be hasty in laying on of hands because they have to be sure that the person is a true man of God. They are living by God's standards. They have been faithful to God in their Christian life. The dangers in doing so is that we could become partakers of their sin. They could have hidden sin that can't be seen. God's guidelines have to be obeyed and followed. This is how the dangers can be lessened. We have to refuse t become involved in choosing someone that is unworthy for the office.

[Delivered]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? and What are the dangers in doing so?
We know the saying, "haste makes waste" He must be proved and tested, is he a godly man, a man who has the grace of God in him?

I think the second part of the verse 22 makes it very clear - why we should not be hasty and its dangers! = neither be partaker of other men's sins takes us to 2 John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

How can these dangers be lessened?
By taking God's laws to heart and be obedient to them.

God's laws pertaining to the rules the church leadership must do and be followed, are not suggestions; even if it takes time, so be it; The importance of doing so is urgent, we must never take our eyes off of the fact, there are powers out to deceive the flock, and this must not be!

This is why he must be put to the test, is he a man of sound faith, is it seen in his life, is it a life displaying godly leadership? By being careful to follow God's law, the leadership will not partake of his evil deeds, if a false teacher should come in.

[squirt1]

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened?

We need to pray about it, and get to know the person also. We might fall into the same traps that they did that lead to sin.