What Does “Holy Orders” Mean in the Bible?
The sacrament by which a man is consecrated as a deacon, priest, or bishop.
It can mean
- Three degrees: bishop, priest (presbyter), and deacon.
- The sign: the bishop lays his hands on the head of the one being ordained and prays the prayer of consecration.
- Careful: an “order” is also a religious family, like the Franciscan order. Here it is the sacrament.
Where it appears in the Bible
Acts 6:6; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:14
What the Bible says
Acts 6:6
These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.
2 Timothy 1:6
For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands.
1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 1536-1538, 1554 and 1573