Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.