Daily a new Bible text for devotion - EZBB
1 Timothy 4:14
In this passage the apostle recognizes that the power, which we would call charismatic preparation for ministry, is by far the most important. He states that Timothy received this gift by prophecy, a remark repeated by Paul (1:18). The call of God to serve in the work of the ministry is a prior and primary consideration. It is the Holy Spirit who must prompt the choice of man for this holy calling. And with his call, we have reason to believe that there will be the accompanying qualifications of grace, gifts, and usefulness. There may be exceptional cases in which one or other of these qualities is not in evidence, but God sees them in a latent state; nevertheless, the rule is as stated above. This means more than "being easy to speak," or "very extrovert," or "getting along well with people," or "being a natural leader." Some of these qualities may supplement the essential spiritual equipment, but none replace it.
Furthermore, it would be a mistake to assume that church ordination supplies this mystical quality when it is lacking. The significance of the ordination of the church and its relation to the preceding work of the Spirit are clearly set forth in Acts 13:2-3. Speaking of the church at Antioch in Syria, Luke records: "The Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. The mere "hands-on contact", as someone has said, the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, has no meaning without this preceding work of the Holy Spirit. Paul's language makes it perfectly clear that in referring to the ordination of Timothy, the action of the presbytery (the pastors) was an acknowledgment and confirmation of the preceding work of the Spirit.