Acts 14:23

“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, etc.] As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in any place, they were at once formed, by the apostles, into a church state; and as the gifts, as well as the grace of the Holy Ghost, attended the ministry of the word, so among those that were converted, there were some that were honoured with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the Gospel, and take upon them the care of the churches: these the apostles directed the churches to look out from among themselves, as in the case of deacons, an inferior office, who by joint suffrages declared their choice of them by the stretching out, or…”

“when they had ordained them elders--literally, "chosen by show of hands." But as that would imply that this was done by the apostles' own hands, many render the word, as in our version, "ordained." Still, as there is no evidence in the New Testament that the word had then lost its proper meaning, as this is beyond doubt its meaning in Co2 8:19, and as there is indisputable evidence that the concurrence of the people was required in all elections to sacred office in the earliest ages of the Church, it is perhaps better to understand the words to mean, "when they had made a choice of elders," that is, superintended such choice on the part of the disciples. and had prayed with…”

“And widen they had ordained - χειροτονήσαντες cheirotonēsantes. The word “ordain” we now use in an ecclesiastical sense, to denote “a setting apart to an office by the imposition of hands.” But it is evident that the word here is not employed in that sense. That imposition of hands might have occurred in setting apart afterward to this office is certainly possible, but it is not implied in the word employed here, and did not take place in the transaction to which this word refers. The word occurs in only one other place in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 8:19, where it is applied to Luke, and translated, “who was also chosen of the church (that is, appointed or elected by suffrage by the…”

“When they had ordained them presbyters in every Church - Out of those who were themselves but newly converted. So soon can God enable even a babe in Christ to build up others in the common faith: they commended them to the Lord - An expression implying faith in Christ, as well as love to the brethren. Acts 14:25”

“they had: Act 1:22; Mar 3:14; Ti1 5:22; Ti2 2:2; Tit 1:5 elders: Act 11:30, Act 15:4, Act 15:6, Act 15:23, Act 20:17; Ti1 5:1, Ti1 5:17-19; Jam 5:14; Pe1 5:1; Jo2 1:1; Jo3 1:1 and had: Act 13:1-3 they commended: Act 14:26, Act 20:32; Luk 23:46; Th1 3:12, Th1 3:13; Th2 2:16, Th2 2:17; Ti2 1:12; Pe1 5:10 Acts 14:24”