What does the Bible say about the ordination of apostles?

In Luke 6:12-19, we see our Lord Jesus Christ ordaining His twelve apostles after a night of prayer. This act signifies the beginning of the Christian ministry and serves as a model for all future ordinations, emphasizing the need for prayer and divine guidance in selecting ministers. The text illustrates that those called to ministry should do so under the careful consideration of their spiritual fitness, seeking to align themselves with God’s will through prayer and supplication.

Furthermore, this passage serves as a reminder to church members to pray for their ministers. The health and growth of the Church depend significantly on the character and spiritual standing of its leaders. Unconverted ministers cannot effectively shepherd God's flock; thus, the Church is encouraged to beseech God for a constant supply of spirit-filled leaders who can rightly teach and nurture believers in the faith. This divine origin of the ministry emphasizes the reliance on God, as even the first apostles were ordinary men, demonstrating that God often chooses the weak to confound the wise.