Brother Jonathan Wise was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry on March 9, 2014 at Bethany PBC Church in the presence of a large congregation and presbytery to perform the ordination requirements. The two introductory songs of “Amazing Grace” and “All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name” set the spiritual stage for a blessed service with much rejoicing and thanksgiving for another servant called into the ministry.
Elder Larry Wise welcomed everyone and called forward the elders and deacons to form a presbytery for the authoritative work of ordaining Brother Jonathan. Elder Larry Wise was chosen moderator of the presbytery and Elder Darren Owens as clerk of the presbytery. Elder Grady Camp was chosen to pray the ordination prayer and Elder Larry Wise to deliver the charge as requested by Brother Jonathan and approved by the presbytery. Elder Josh Winslett was selected to question Brother Jonathan on the fundamentals of the faith and again by his request and approved by the presbytery. A minister must be sound in the faith to teach others as he was taught. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9).
Brother Jonathan Wise was called forward to sit in the front of the pulpit and Elder Josh Winslett questioned him on certain points of doctrine of the Bible and the Primitive Baptists such as Election, Predestination, Justification, Calling the elect and gospel ministers, Two kinds of salvation (eternal and timely), Preservation, Loss of fellowship, Fall of man, Trinity, Ordinances of the church, Materials used in the Lord’s Supper, Proper worship service, Word of God and its source, Authoritative word of God used today. Brother Jonathan was asked to swear before God and all those present that he would uphold the principles under which he was being ordained and if he ever left those principles, he would leave the Primitive Baptists in peace. He promised to do this very thing.
Brother Jonathan was then asked to kneel in front of the pulpit while members of the presbytery lay hands on him and Elder Grady Camp prayed the ordination prayer asking blessings on Brother Jonathan and his ministry and continued strength to do that to which he had been called. A very spiritual prayer was uttered by Elder Camp and members of the presbytery embraced Brother Jonathan after the prayer and laying on of hands.
The wife of Brother Jonathan (Sister Paige Wise) was called to sit beside her husband as the charge was delivered by his father, Elder Larry Wise. Elder Wise emphasized the seriousness of the occasion and charged the Brother Jonathan to do as the scriptures teach to be successful: 1. Preach the word: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Tim. 4:2). Â 2. Meditate on the things of God: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (I Tim. 4:15). 3. Â Take heed unto thyself and the doctrine: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (I Tim. 4:16). 4. Â Feed the flock of God: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28). “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” (I Pet. 5:2).
5.  Be Faithful: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (II Tim. 2:2).  “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”  6.  Remain Humble: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (I Pet. 5:6). 7. Depend on God and the Spirit always: “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Psalm 71:16). “I can do all thins through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13).  Elder Wise charged Sister Paige Wise to be a good support to her husband that would require sacrifices but is very rewarding both for her and her husband.
Elder Wise as moderator called for the reading of the minutes. Elder Darren read the minutes of the proceedings and they were approved. Elder Wise asked the spokesman of the church, Brother Phillip Wise, if the church was satisfied with the work of the presbytery and he responded that it was satisfied. Elder Wise then asked for a motion to turn the candidate, Brother Jonathan, back over to the church as a duly ordained Elder in the Primitive Baptist faith and dissolve the presbytery. Motion made, seconded and approved. Brother Jonathan and Sister Paige were asked to stand before the pulpit while songs were sung and everyone in the congregation came by to shake hands and embrace, praying the best for their future journeys in the service of the Lord.–March 12, 2014–Elder Larry Wise
Here are a few photos from the ordination service:
You can witness the service with audio and video by going to the Video Sermons section of the website and click on Ordination-Brother Jonathan Wise video.
