Statute 53

1Statute 53.

2A bishop who is led astray by error or an evil thought is not a bishop, but one who bears a false name. He was ordained not by God, but by man, like Ananias and Shemaiah in Israel, and Zedekiah and [Akiya], who were false prophets in Babylon. Balaam the diviner was punished for corrupting the people of Israel through Baal Peor. Caiaphas afterward killed himself. The sons of Sceva, who attempted to cast out demons, were wounded by them and fled away in pain. The kings of Israel and Judah were also punished whenever they sinned.

3It is therefore clear that bishops and presbyters who bear false names will not escape God’s punishment. For this reason it is said to them: “Now, you priests who dishonor my name, I will deliver you to slaughter, as Zedekiah and [Akiya], whom the king of Babylon roasted,” as the prophet Jeremiah said.

4We say this, yet we do not despise true prophecy, because we know that, in prophecy, the mind of God rested upon righteous people and worked with them. Rather, we are removing the audacity of the boastful and setting forth this truth: in the case of such people, God removes their grace. For God resists the boastful and gives grace to the humble.

5When Silas and Agabus prophesied among us, they did not make themselves equal to the apostles or go beyond their proper measure, although they loved God. Women also prophesied: first Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron; then Deborah; after her, Huldah, Esther, and Judith. One was with Josiah and another with Darius. The Mother of our Lord also prophesied, as did Elizabeth, who was her relative, and Anna, and, among us, the daughters of Philip. But these women did not exalt themselves above men; they kept to their proper measure.

6Therefore, among you also, whether they are men or women, if they have received any such grace, let them humble themselves so that God may delight in them. For he said: “To whom shall I look, except to the one who is humble, gentle, and quiet, and who trembles at my word?”

7Keep yourselves from the worship of demons and gods. Keep away from dead things, from blood, and from things strangled; moreover, no bone shall be broken.

8Concerning apostles and prophets, act according to the ordinance of the Gospel as follows. Every apostle who comes to you shall remain only one day, or the next day also. If necessary, he may remain a third day; but if he remains longer, he is a false prophet.

9Every prophet who speaks in the Spirit shall be tested and examined, so that there may be no sin in him. Everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet. If he lives according to the life of God, he is a true prophet. Every false prophet and every true prophet shall be known by his life up to that point.

10Every prophet who orders a table in the Spirit shall not eat from it; otherwise, he is a false prophet. Every prophet who teaches but does not practice the truth is a false prophet. Every prophet who has been proved true, but who conducts himself in an assembly of people and acts unlawfully, shall not be judged by you, for his judgment comes from God. The ancient prophets acted in this way.

11You shall not listen to anyone who says in the Spirit, “Give me gold,” or asks for anything else. But if he speaks on behalf of another, give to him; no one shall examine him.

12Receive everyone who comes to you in the name of our Lord. Then, after testing him, you shall know him, for you have wisdom, so to speak, concerning both right and left. If he is passing through, help him as much as you can, but do not let him remain with you beyond the next day or the third day. If he is in need and wishes to remain with you, he may do so if he has a trade at which he can work. But if he does not work, he shall not be supported. If he has no trade and does not work, use your wisdom to devise some work for him, so that he does not remain among you idle. If he is unwilling to do this, he is a seller of the name of Christ. Beware of such people.

13Every true prophet who wishes to remain with you is worthy of his sustenance; therefore, support him. Give all the firstfruits of the winepress and threshing floor, and of the oxen and sheep, to the prophets, because they are your chief priests. If you have no prophet, give them to the poor.

14If you make bread, give its first portion according to the commandment. Likewise, when you open an earthenware vessel of wine, oil, or honey, take the first portion of the thing—take whatever first portion you wish—and give it according to the commandment of the Lord.

15Your fast shall not be like that of the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week. You, however, shall fast on the fourth and sixth days. You shall not pray like the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in the Gospel.

16In your churches on the Sabbaths, you presbyters and deacons, together with the whole congregation, shall make places for the brethren, arranging everything with complete diligence and care. If anyone is found sitting out of order, he shall be rebuked, because he has disrupted the holy Church, the dwelling of God.

17It is like what we see among animals that cannot speak—oxen, horses, goats, and sheep, each according to its own kind. When they are awake, they ruminate, and they do not separate themselves from others of their own kind. So also in the church, the young men shall sit by themselves if there is room; if there is no room, they shall stand. The elders shall sit by themselves, and if they have children, let them hold them in their arms.

18The virgins shall also sit by themselves. If there is not enough room, they shall stand in front of the other women. Married women who have their children with them shall sit by themselves. The widows of the church and the other widows shall also sit by themselves.

19If brothers or sisters from other districts enter, the deacon shall come and make inquiry. If a woman has a husband or is a widow, he shall bring them in and seat them in separate places.

20The presbyters shall sit in their own respective places. If another presbyter comes from another district, they shall receive him into the place appropriate to him.

21If any other man or woman enters in lay clothing, whether from the district or from another district, and they are brethren, you, presbyter, shall not show partiality or abandon your ministry to assign them places while you are speaking the word concerning God, listening, or reading. Remain undisturbed, for the brethren shall receive them. If there is no place for them, someone who loves the brothers or sisters shall rise and give up a place for them.

22If there are young people, they shall rise and give up their places while the older men remain seated. You, deacon, if you notice among those seated a young man or a virgin who has risen, make the man or woman who gave up a place sit down. Then, after making her rise, have her stand outside the church at the door, so that others may learn a lesson and give up places for their elders.

23Seek to make the churches large. If a poor man or woman, either from the district or from another district, enters and there is no place, you, presbyter, shall make room for such a person with all your heart, even if you must sit on the ground, so that respect may be shown not to the person of man, but to God.

24If we have omitted anything, our brethren, God will reveal it to those who are worthy, as he guides the holy Church into quietness and a harbor.

25This word shall not be hidden concerning the gifts God gave to the young as they wished, and concerning how they acquire the likeness of those who dwell in falsehood and are moved by alien spirits. God appointed impious people to be such as either prophesied or performed signs.

26Now the word will guide us to what is better for the ordinance of the Church. You bishops, whom we ordained and sent from ourselves by the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ, if you know this ordinance from us, must do everything and neglect nothing, as our Lord Jesus Christ commanded and according to the ordinance we gave you.

27You know that whoever heard us heard Christ, and whoever heard Christ heard God the Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.