From apostle to priest-a study of early church organization
Book details
- Title
- From apostle to priest-a study of early church organization
- Author
- His Spirit
- Publication year listed
- 1900
- Format
- Public domain eBook
- Reading access
- Free online reader; no registration required
- Source record
- View on Archive.org
About this book
From apostle to priest-a study of early church organization
Author: Falconer, James W. (James William), 1868-1956
Year: 1900
CONTENTS 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. 1-3 1 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