Priesthood/Imposition of Hands

Isaiah 66:21--I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan [Greece], to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD [see Romans 15:16], on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I will take as priests (koheim) and Levites, says the LORD.*priests can mean priest or ruler, Levite is used in the Early Church Fathers and the ordination rite to mean deacons.

1 Timothy 4:14-- Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands [in the OT Heb called semicha] of the presbyterate [priesthood].

2 Timothy 1:6--For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God [ie grace] that you have through the imposition of my hands.

1 Timothy 5:17-9-- Presbyters (priests) who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay." Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter (priest) unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

James 5:14-5--Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters (priests) of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

Acts 6:4-7-- Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task,whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. ** In this case they were ordained deacons (servants), which also requires laying on of hands

Acts 13:2-3-- While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. *Here St Paul and Barnabas are ordained priests? applied to priests in Vatican 2, Decree on the Ministry and life of Priests 1:3

Acts 14:23--They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.

Acts 15:2,4,6---Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters (priests) about this question....When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters (priests) , and they reported what God had done with them....The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter...

Acts 15:22--Then the apostles and presbyters(priests), in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

Acts 15:23--This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the presbyters (priests) , your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings..."

Titus 1:5--For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters (priests) in every town, as I directed you

OLD TESTAMENT Laying on of hands

Deuteronomy 34:9--Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the Israelites gave him their obedience, thus carrying out the LORD'S command to Moses.

Numbers 27:18;20;23--The Lord said to Moses, "Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man of spirit, and you shall lay your hand upon him...You shall bestow some of your majesty upon him so that all the congregation of the children of Israel will take heed...He laid his hands upon him and commanded him, in accordance with what the Lord had spoken to Moses.