Hands Of Presbytery

Catholics and some Protestants believe the priests are ordained by the hands of the presbytery. But we see a distinction between the hands of the Apostles and the hands of the presbytery. The Apostles could lay hands so that spiritual gifts could be received in the early church.

When speaking of the Apostles and spiritual gifts, the word "by" is used. The laying on of the Apostles hands were the channel of the act.

2Ti 1:6  WhereforeG1223 G3739 G156 I put thee in remembranceG363 G4671 that thou stir upG329 theG3588 giftG5486 of God,G2316 whichG3739 isG2076 inG1722 theeG4671 byG1223 theG3588 putting onG1936 of myG3450 hands.G5495

The laying on of the hands of the presbytery is never said to be the channel since a different word is used .

1Ti 4:14  NeglectG272 notG3361 theG3588 giftG5486 that is inG1722 thee,G4671 whichG3739 was givenG1325 theeG4671 byG1223 prophecy,G4394 withG3326 the laying onG1936 of theG3588 handsG5495 of theG3588 presbytery.G4244

The word with does not designate a channel but accompaniment. The laying on of the hands of the presbytery did not pass the gift, but accompanied only. This can be seen in Acts 13:1-3.

1. Saul (Paul)) was already an Apostle before the presbytery laid hands.

2. Barnabas was already a teacher and prophet before the presbytery laid hands.

The Holy Spirit said to separate them to their work, then the brethren laid hands on them and prayed.

The laying of hands was an accompaniment, an act of formal prayer in their behalf. It was not the means by which their work was designated. That came by prophecy. Neither was it the means they became gifted, since Paul and Barnabas already had spiritual gifts. Thus the Catholic theory isn't really biblical.

Act 13:1  NowG1161 there wereG2258 inG2596 theG3588 churchG1577 that wasG5607 atG1722 AntiochG490 certainG5100 prophetsG4396 andG2532 teachers;G1320 as(G5037 G3739) Barnabas,G921 andG2532 SimeonG4826 that was calledG2564 Niger,G3526 andG2532 LuciusG3066 of Cyrene,G2956 andG5037 Manaen,G3127 which had been brought up withG4939 HerodG2264 theG3588 tetrarch,G5076 andG2532 Saul.G4569

Act 13:2  As(G1161) theyG846 ministeredG3008 to theG3588 Lord,G2962 andG2532 fasted,G3522 theG3588 HolyG40 GhostG4151 said,G2036 SeparateG873(G1211) meG3427(G5037) BarnabasG921 andG2532 SaulG4569 forG1519 theG3588 workG2041 whereuntoG3739 I have calledG4341 them.G846

Act 13:3  And whenG5119 they had fastedG3522 andG2532 prayed,G4336 andG2532 laidG2007 their handsG5495 on them,G846 they sent them away.G630

The laying of the hands of the presbytery was never the channel of their appointment, it simply accompanied them being sent to a work. They were already prophets and teachers before being sent.