Holiness is a fundamental attribute of God and a central theme throughout the Scriptures. It signifies being set apart, pure, and morally blameless. For ministers, who are called to shepherd the flock of God, embodying holiness is not merely an aspiration but a divine mandate. The Bible provides clear guidance on the expectation that ministers should exemplify holiness in their conduct, teaching, and leadership.

Biblical Foundation

The call to holiness for ministers is rooted in the character of God Himself. Leviticus 19:2 states, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is echoed in the New Testament, where ministers are urged to reflect God's holiness in their lives and ministry.

Qualifications for Ministers

The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistles, outlines the qualifications for those who aspire to be overseers and deacons, emphasizing the necessity of holiness. In 1 Timothy 3:2-3 , Paul writes, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." These qualifications underscore the importance of a holy and blameless life as a prerequisite for ministry.

Exemplary Conduct

Ministers are called to be examples to the believers in every aspect of life. In 1 Timothy 4:12 , Paul exhorts Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." This charge highlights the comprehensive nature of holiness, encompassing speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity.

Teaching and Doctrine

Holiness in ministry is also reflected in the teaching and doctrine that ministers uphold. Titus 2:7-8 instructs, "In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that is beyond reproach, so that anyone who opposes you will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us." Ministers are to teach sound doctrine and live lives that validate their teaching, thereby serving as credible witnesses to the truth of the Gospel.

Leadership and Influence

The influence of a minister extends beyond personal conduct to the broader community of faith. Hebrews 13:7 reminds believers, "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Ministers are to lead by example, demonstrating a life of holiness that others can emulate.

Accountability and Responsibility

The responsibility of ministers to exemplify holiness is underscored by the accountability they have before God. James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." This heightened accountability calls ministers to a higher standard of holiness, recognizing the weight of their influence and the eternal significance of their role.

Conclusion

The call to holiness for ministers is a profound and sacred duty. As representatives of Christ and shepherds of His flock, ministers are to embody the holiness of God in every aspect of their lives and ministry. Through their example, they are to lead others into a deeper relationship with God, reflecting His purity and righteousness in a world in need of His light.1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Answering the Reasons which those Ministers Give, which Hinder the ...
... of Trent thinks it enough for reverence and holiness. ... to others to grumble: and the
Ministers hearing this ... worldly respects, that the faithful should lose so ...
/.../chap ii answering the reasons.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer
... on with my eager pursuit after more holiness and conformity ... grace, that the prayers
of His saints should be one ... Pray much for the ministers and the Church of ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xi modern examples of prayer.htm

the Use of Humiliation
... Oh, how many precepts and admirable examples hath our ... For what is holiness, but a
devotedness to God ... than he that doth marry, surely ministers should labor to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 - the use.htm

Prayer and God's Work
... Ministers, like laymen, and no more so than laymen, must be ... Are they in behaviour
as becometh holiness, teaching the ... of doing this very thing, why should it be ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/vii prayer and gods work.htm

The Ministry of the New Covenant
... teaching of the Holy Spirit, who should dwell in ... formalities and worldliness, the
lack of holiness, of personal ... means to this there are needed ministers of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xvi the ministry of.htm

Sanctification.
... the licentious, the avaricious man, are examples of this ... a sense of the justice and
holiness of God ... wonder, that such professors and ministers should be totally ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxix sanctification.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Nay, by the same reason ministers should not preach the Word, because ... we were hung
with the jewels of holiness and were ... Who am I that I should be son-in-law to ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
... performing our baptismal covenant, and perfecting holiness in the ... of those which
were bidden, should taste of ... servants sent out, are his ministers, whose duty ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/worldly business no plea for.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... Other ministers might well accuse him of desiring to exalt ... for the purpose of exalting
their own holiness and zeal ... of God"that they, I say, should be enemies ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... suggested that the Assembly should fix ministers' salaries at so ... under a monarchy;
that it should be steadily ... contended that all seekers after holiness were to ...
/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm

Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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