Your quote from scripture seems to be out of context.
1Timothy 5: 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men?s sins: keep thyself pure.
If it's out of context then that's saying EGW used it out of context -- which I don't believe.
The Apostle Paul writes to Titus: "Set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God." Titus 1:5-7. Lay hands suddenly on no man." 1 Timothy 5:22. {CCh 247.3}
In some of our churches the work of organizing and of ordaining elders has been premature; the Bible rule has been disregarded, and consequently grievous trouble has been brought upon the church.
* * * * *
Those who are about to enter upon the sacred work of teaching Bible truth to the world, should be carefully examined by faithful, experienced persons. [SEE ALSO P. 122.] After they have had some experience, there is still another work to be done for them; they should be presented before the Lord in earnest prayer that he would indicate by his Holy Spirit if they are acceptable to him. The apostle says, ?Lay hands suddenly on no man.? [1 Timothy 5:22.] In the days of the apostles, the ministers of God did not dare to rely upon their own judgment in selecting or accepting men to take the solemn and sacred position of mouth-piece for God. They selected the men whom their judgment would accept, and then they placed them before the Lord to see if he would accept them to go forth as his representatives. No less than this should be done now {GW133}
After these have had some experience, there is still another work to be done for them. They should be presented before the Lord in earnest prayer that He would indicate by His Holy Spirit if they are acceptable to Him. The apostle says: "Lay hands suddenly on no man." 4T 407
You take one phrase of a sentence and apply it to ordination when the next phrase speaks to not partaking of another man's sins.
I guess you didn't read the EGW quotes above. If you did read them you won't be sticking to the "out of context" claim.
Indeed -- when a person who hasn't demonstrated that he has given his life to God is ordained too quickly he is in a position to lead his "flock" into sin. Yes, to partake in his sin.
An unconsecrated man who receives ordination as a representative of God's church will cause people to share in his sin.
The question is not about God's instructions on ordination but about a civil requirement for ordination so government can keep track of ministers.
Governments don't need ordination to track people, they have plenty of ways to do that, a person can't escape tracking by avoiding ordination
As far as governments not recognizing "marriage" if it is not officiated by an ordained minister? They recognize marriages performed by court judges, a notary republic, or any government licensed marriage officiant. They also give common law marriage pretty much the same legal rights as officially married couples.
The concept of ordination signifying one qualifies to be a marriage officiant is totally a church thing. Churches tend to hold marriage as a sacred union and upholds the idea that that this commitment should be officiated by an ordained spiritual leader, not just by a government man.
