From apostle to priest; a study of early church organization

Front matter

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Chapter I Form And Spirit

Of all forms of rule in the Western world the Episcopal is one of the most ancient. It arose in the second century A.D., and developed till, in 440, Leo became first Pope. The bishop was the bond of union in Catholicism. The path of the bishop had little to obstruct it, except Montanism and Monasticism, until the Reformation, when new forms of rule appeared.

Two questions of interest. 1. Concerning Church organisation. Episcopacy has no jus divinum, but grew out of the circumstances of the time, with expediency as its sanction. 2. Concerning ordination. The ministry is not sacerdotal, but representative. Ordination does not confer a Charisma. Importance placed on order rather than orders. Pp. I-31

CHAPTER II Jesus AND His CHURCH

The Naturalistic critic denies the intention of Jesus to found a visible Church. The Sacerdotalist holds that He instituted a Church and also an organisation, and that the Church grew out of the clergy. Between these extremes is the position to be defended in the lectures, that Jesus founded a visible Church, but did not prescribe an organisation, leaving it to His followers, as they were guided by His Spirit, to decide the external form.

Evidence of this. 1. Thechoice ofthe twelve apostles. The apostovii vill CONTENTS late was not a permanent official class. The authority of apostles. was moral and spiritual. 2. The teaching of Christ suggests a visible society, ¢.g. the parabolic teaching of Matt. xiii. and the eschatology of Matt. xxiv. 3. The Sacraments show the historical concreteness of the kingdom. They are the acts not of a priest, but of the whole Church. 4. The word LZcclesza, Matt. xvi. 18 and xviii. 17. The first refers to the condition of entrance, which is faith. The second refers to discipline. 5. Teaching of Christ after the Resurrection. John xx. 22 is spoken to the Church . : ; : : Pp. 32-75

Chapter III The Beginnings Of Church Organisation

The authorities for period are Acts and the early Pauline Epistles. The authenticity of Acts accepted.

Organisation as it appears in—I. General Church. The new movements in expansion due to the intrusion of events, rather than to the conscious decision of Church leaders ; influence of persecution ; the effect of travelling ; the work of Paul. The ministry of the Apostle. This term has a wide significance.

2. Individual Congregation. First meetings held in private houses. The exercises are described in Acts ii. 42. (1) Teaching, (2) Fellowship, (3) Public Worship. The offices of Deacon and Elder. Organisation grew out of the needs of the time. The sense of unity in the early Church . : Pp. 76-108

Chapter IV The Pastoral Epistles And The Epistle To The Hebrews

The radical critic regards the Pastorals as sacerdotal and spurious. The High Churchman declares them to besacerdotal and genuine. They are here considered as genuine, but not sacerdotal.

The history of the terms Bishop and Elder. It was thought that Lightfoot had proved their identity, but modern criticism assigns to the names two different functions: the elder having the cure of souls, and the bishop the care of moneys. No sufficient reason for this distinction. Hort, Gwatkin, Loofs, and Zahn refer the title to the same person.

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1. Timothy and Titus are not prototypes of the single bishop, but temporary agents of the apostle.

2. Ordination does not confer a gift, but recognises it. 1 Tim. iv. Wa 372 Lim.) 1, 6:

The Pastorals show the decline of the Charismatic ministry.

The Epistle to the Hebrews deals with the office of priesthood ; but though written to people who were anxious for the ritual of the Old Covenant, it never gives any countenance to the sacerdotal theory of the Christian ministry ; . Pp. 109-146

Chapter V The Palestinian Church

Pass to the end of first century through the dark period of Church history.

Some find the source of Episcopacy in the position of James as first bishop of Jerusalem. However, his presidency in this church was extraordinary, as is apparent—1. From the early documents. Epistle of James is the first purely Palestinian writing. It has two officers: Teacher, 111.1; Elder, v. 14. No trace of Episcopacy. The Dzdaché, ‘‘a master-key to fit all the wards of the historical problem,” A.D. 100. Twoclasses of ministry : (a) 207 local, apostle, prophet, teacher ; (4) /oca/, bishop and deacon.

- The apostolate is gradually disappearing, and the place is taken by local ministry. 2. From the fact that his position was due to personal qualities.

Results—(1) There is an order of Presbyter-Bishops.

(2) There is no monarchical bishop outside of Jerusalem, but the bishops are becoming the substitutes of the apostles.

(3) James’ position in Jerusalem due to blood relationship with Christ ; : : : . Pp. 147-174