20 canons

Self-Castration
 Clergy who have castrated themselves are to be excluded from ministry.

Ordination Standards
 Recent converts (especially from paganism) should not be promoted to clergy too quickly.

Clerical Celibacy
 Clergy should not live with women unless they are close relatives (mother, sister, aunt).

Bishops' Ordination
 A bishop must be chosen by all bishops of a province, with at least three present for consecration.

Provincial Synods
 Each province must hold two synods (councils) per year to resolve ecclesiastical matters.

Jurisdiction of Major Sees
 Affirms the traditional authority of the bishops of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch over their regions.

Honor for Jerusalem
 The Bishop of Jerusalem should be honored, though under the Metropolitan of Caesarea.

Cathari (Novatian) Clergy
 Clergy from the schismatic Cathari (Novatianists) may return to the Church if they affirm orthodoxy.

Unworthy Ordinations
 People ordained without proper examination (e.g., those previously excommunicated) should not retain clerical office.

Moral Failings
 Clergy who have lapsed under persecution or committed grave sin must be deposed.

Penance for the Lapsed
 Those who fell under persecution can be restored through sincere repentance and penance.

Apostates in the Military
 Christians who renounced faith under military pressure must undergo penance before being readmitted to communion.

Viaticum for the Dying
 Even those under penance should not be denied the Eucharist if they are dying.

Penance Process
 Outlines the proper stages of penance for lapsed Christians seeking reentry to the Church.

Clergy Transfers
 Clergy are forbidden to move from one church to another; stability and service in their appointed place is required.

Returning Clergy
 Clergy who leave their own church without permission and serve elsewhere must be returned and possibly deposed.

Usury by Clergy
 Clergy must not lend money at interest (usury is condemned).

Proper Conduct at the Eucharist
 Deacons must respect the order of clergy and not administer the Eucharist to priests or bishops.

Paulianists’ Baptism
 Converts from the Paulianist sect (followers of Paul of Samosata) must be re-baptized before ordination.

Standing Prayer on Sundays
 Christians should pray standing, not kneeling, on Sundays and during the Paschal season (Easter).


The Original Nicene Creed (325 AD)

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of God,
begotten of the Father,
the only-begotten;
that is, of the essence of the Father,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made,
both in heaven and on earth;
who for us men and for our salvation
came down,
and was incarnate and was made man;
He suffered,
and the third day He rose again,
ascended into heaven;
from thence He shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.

And in the Holy Ghost.

But those who say:
"There was a time when He was not";
 and "He was not before He was made";
 and "He was made out of nothing";
 or "He is of another substance or essence";
 or "The Son of God is created, or changeable, or alterable"—
they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.

What do we do when traditions replace the heart of God?

Mark 7:5-8

5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me,     teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

What do we do when the church structure becomes about power?

Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[c] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[d] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How do we find unity in the midst of controversy?

Ephesians 4:1-7

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-2

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Use wisdom and humility when studying church history

James 1:5-8

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

  • Did the counsel of Nicaea invent the trinity? (No)

    Did Constantin write the Bible? (No)

    Does Jesus claim to be God? (Yes)

    Are there controversies wherever there is man made traditions? (Yes)

    1. Do you have any questions or thoughts from this lesson?

    2. What stood out to you most?

    3. How do you think we can tell the difference between healthy tradition and unhealthy tradition?

    4. In light of all the controversies and complexity of church history, how does fixing our eyes on Jesus help us stay grounded??

    5. What can Ephesians 4 teach us about pursuing unity in the Church, even when we disagree about theology or tradition?

    6. How do we practically live this lesson out?

    1. How was your emotional and physical health this week?

    2. What is a serious stressor in your life?

    3. How has your personal time with God been this week?

    4. Would you like to share your personal temptations and how can we help you overcome them?

    5. Is there anything that we need to discuss that we have not already?

    6. How can we pray for each other this week?

    Pray for one another, invite each person to pray even if it is just a few sentences.