Stance on Ordinations:

The Authority of the Holy Bible

Matthew 5: 18: "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

Mathew 10:7 "As you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 28: 19-20:
"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2 Pet. 1:20 & 11;21: 20: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Joshua 1:8: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you shall go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit shall remain, that what so ever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

Mark 13:10 "The gospel must first be preached to all nations."

Mark 16:15 "Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation."

1 Timothy 2:7 "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."

2Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

John 10:35 and the scriptures cannot be broken."

People often ask; "What gives you the right to ordain members in your ministry"? And; "Under whose authority do you grant ordination?"

Bill of Rights - Amendment I

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." - The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The First Amendment ensures that "if there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein." West Virginia v. Barnette.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH, INC.

Plaintiff MAR 1, 1974 -Vs- United States of America

Defendant Civil No. S-1964

Order:

"The Court must then address itself to the defendant's second conclusion: that the ordination of ministers, the granting of church charters and the issuance of Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates by the plaintiff are substantial activities which do not further any religious purpose. Certainly the ordination of ministers and the chartering of churches are accepted activities of religious organizations. The defendant impliedly admits the same on Page 5 of its Memorandum in Support of its Requested Instructions. The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment. Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical revival or religious crusade. Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. Were the Court to do so, it would impinge upon the guarantees of the First Amendment."