How do we know that ministers must be converted before ordination?

In Mark 3:14, Jesus appointed disciples who had first been converted before they were sent out as apostles. This principle holds that ministers must themselves experience the transforming grace of God before they can effectively minister to others. An unconverted minister lacks the personal experience of salvation and cannot adequately speak about the grace and truth of Christ they have not encountered. This highlights the requirement for a spiritual call prior to ordination, as it assures the authenticity of their ministry and the truthfulness of their preaching.

The importance of this principle cannot be overstated. Churches must be diligent in their assessments of candidates for ministry to ensure they have truly encountered Christ. Unconverted ministers can lead people astray and detract from the credibility of the Gospel. Thus, a thorough examination of a candidate’s personal faith journey must precede their ordination, aligning the practice with the biblical model demonstrated by Christ.