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| Chapter II.—Be subject to the bishop, etc. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter II.—Be subject to the bishop,
etc.
For, since ye are subject to the bishop as to
Jesus Christ, ye appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but
according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order, by believing in His
death, ye may escape from death. It is therefore necessary
that, as ye indeed do, so without the bishop ye should do nothing, but
should also
be subject to the presbytery, as to the apostle
of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in whom, if we live, we shall [at last]
be found. It is fitting also that the deacons, as being [the ministers]
of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, should in every respect be pleasing to
all.735
735 It is doubtful
whether this exhortation is addressed to the deacons or people; whether
the former are urged in all respects to please the latter, or the latter
in all points to be pleased with the former. | For they are not
ministers of meat and drink, but servants of the Church of God. They are bound, therefore, to avoid all grounds of
accusation [against them], as they would do fire.
Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for
“he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to
God.”736 Wherefore also, ye appear to me to live not
after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us,
in order that, by believing in His death, ye may by baptism be made
partakers of His resurrection. It is therefore necessary, whatsoever
things ye do, to do nothing without the bishop. And be ye subject also to
the presbytery, as to the apostles of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in
whom, if we live, we shall be found in Him. It behoves you also, in every
way, to please the deacons, who are [ministers] of the mysteries of
Christ Jesus; for they are not ministers of meat and drink, but servants
of the Church of God. They are bound,
therefore, to avoid all grounds of accusation [against them], as they
would a burning fire. Let them, then, prove themselves to be such.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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