Chapter 8

1Hear now also, you people of the elect Church of God. In former times the Hebrews were called the people of God, a holy people; but now you are priests, [damaged text], children of the Most High. Speak no evil word against the gods, that is, the bishops. Let the bishops have the first seat among you, for honor and glory have been given to them by the Lord God, so that they may feed his people in peace, as does Christ, the great High Priest. Let the deacon minister in purity and without blame, and let him do nothing without the permission of the bishop, his father. Let the deaconess do nothing without the permission of the deacon. Let no other woman go to the deacon except in the company of the deaconess; likewise, let no woman go to the bishop except in the company of the deacon. Honor the priests, for they admonish you and teach you the way of God, and you shall receive from them the word in the true faith. For he sent them to preach, teach, admonish, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach people to observe everything he had commanded them. Honor widows and orphans as the Church, and virgins as the altar and the offering of incense. In former times no one could offer a sacrifice unless he was one of the sons of Levi, and the people could not approach the altar except together with the priests.

2In the same way, do nothing without the counsel of the bishop. Whoever acts in this way without the bishop’s permission—his work is idle, vain, and without profit. Saul offered a sacrifice without Samuel the prophet and heard a voice saying, “Your sacrifice is vain.” Likewise, if a layperson does anything without the priest, it is vain. King Uzziah also, though he was not a priest, performed the office of a priest and became a leper. If anyone among the people usurps the priest’s office and does not obey God’s commandments, he shall not escape judgment. He has taken an honor that was not given to him, resisted the priesthood, and failed to imitate Christ, “who did not glorify himself to be made a great High Priest,” but patiently endured until he heard the Father’s voice saying, “The Lord swore and will not repent: You are his priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” But if Christ did not glorify himself without the Father, who is equal with him, how can a man take the priesthood for himself unless the one who has authority over him has granted it to him? The sons of Korah belonged to the tribe of Levi, yet when they strove against Moses and Aaron, fire consumed them because they sought to take what did not belong to them. Dathan and Abiram went down alive into Sheol. The rod that budded destroyed the counsel of many foolish men, and by it God revealed the great High Priest whom he had ordained.

3Therefore, brothers, you ought to bring your sacrifices and incense to the bishop, for he is the High Priest. Bring him your firstfruits, tithes, and all your vows, so that he may give to each person according to need, including the destitute who have nothing. Let him appoint to them what is fitting, so that no one wrongs a neighbor in receiving alms. The bishop ought to exercise proper care for all the destitute, examine their lives, and know their condition well.

4Moreover, when the faithful wish to invite the destitute and widows to a feast, as the Lord has commanded, the deacons ought to minister. Knowing everyone’s life well, let them invite them and seat each one in the proper place. Let them distribute portions to them, and let them also give a portion secretly to the shepherd, for the honor of God, since the priesthood has been granted to him. After the distribution has been made to the widows, let the deacons take two portions. Likewise, let the presbyters who watch and teach the word of admonition receive double portions, for they are apostles of our Lord, counselors of the bishop, and the crown of the Church, judging uprightly within it. Let the reader receive one portion, and likewise the singers. Let each of the doorkeepers receive according to the Church’s appointment, and let the people be given the portions fitting for them. They must not neglect the bishop or delay giving to him, but must send it quickly to him through the ministering deacons. The deacons ought to inform the bishop of every need among the people, so that he may command them to act as is fitting.

5In former times no one entered the temple or did anything there without the priest. Malachi the prophet says, “The priest’s lips keep counsel and search out the law.” Those who serve false gods, do their will, and present themselves as righteous—though they are impure, their works are evil, they have no good works, and they regard themselves as saints—are mocked, detested, and despised by people who see their works. Yet none of them can accomplish or do anything without the counsel of the idol-priests. They look up to them, listen to the voice of the one who commands them, and do everything he tells them. They honor the idol-priests, put their trust in them, and believe in their gods. If they believe in beings that have no life, serve unclean spirits in whom there is no profit, hope in vanity, and present themselves as righteous, how much more should we—who have received grace, an enlightened faith, and a perfect hope in which there is no deceit—believe the message that is full of glory and without fear, so that we may please the Lord our God?

6Know with certainty that the first fathers and the bishops are the mouth of God. Aaron spoke to Pharaoh as Moses’ helper and was therefore called the prophet, while Moses was called the god of Pharaoh, as a king and high priest. God said to him, “Behold, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.” How, then, can you fail to believe them? They intercede for you and deliver the word, for they are prophets and servants of God: the deacon is like Aaron, and the bishop is like Moses. If Moses was called a god by the Lord, it is also right for you to honor the bishops as God and the deacon as a prophet. As Christ did nothing without the Father, so let the deacon do nothing without the counsel of the bishop. Also, [the Son does] nothing without the Father; and as the Son is subject to his Father, so let the deacon be subject to the bishop.