Apostolic Church Order

Contents

1. 0The greeting of the Apostolic Church Order in the names of twelve apostles.
2. 1The apostles, gathered at Christ's command before dividing the provinces, are told to set out the orders of the church and send these words to the whole world.
3. 2The apostles resolve to set down the Lord's commands for the brotherhood.
4. 3The apostles agree to speak freely and correct one another, and John speaks first.
5. 4The two ways of life and death, and the two great commandments.
6. 5The negative golden rule.
7. 6The commandments of the way of life: against murder, adultery, sexual immorality, abortion, falsehood and hatred.
8. 7Anger leads to murder; avoid jealousy and quarrelling.
9. 8Lust and anger, given room, become demons that enlarge themselves in the soul and lead it to ruin.
10. 9Foul speech and wandering eyes lead to adultery.
11. 10Avoid augury, enchantment, astrology and purifications, which lead to idolatry.
12. 11Against lying, love of money, grumbling and pride; be meek, merciful, humble, and accept what happens as from God.
13. 12Honour and support the one who teaches you the word of God and gave you the seal, as the Lord himself.
14. 13Make peace, judge impartially, pray without doubting, give generously and share all things with your brother.
15. 14Do good while there is time, for the day of the Lord is near; keep what you have received without adding or taking away.
16. 15The apostles turn from moral teaching to the ordering of the church, and ask Peter to speak.
17. 16The choice of a bishop: where a church has fewer than twelve men, three men from neighbouring churches examine the candidate, who must be of good report, temperate, the husband of one wife or unmarried, and able to interpret Scripture.
18. 17John proposes that the bishop appoint two presbyters.
19. 18Three presbyters are to be appointed, after the pattern of the twenty-four elders; they are to be older men, generous and impartial, assisting the bishop at the altar and keeping order in the congregation.
20. 19The qualifications of a reader, who does the work of an evangelist.
21. 20Three deacons are to be appointed: tested, married once, temperate, generous, and diligent in caring for and correcting the congregation.
22. 21Three widows are to be appointed: two for prayer and revelations, one to serve sick women and report their needs to the presbyters.
23. 22The deacons' work: to seek out the needy day and night without partiality, see that they are not passed over, and urge the able to give.
24. 23Laymen are to keep to their own place and submit to those who serve at the altar, each in his calling, as the angels keep to theirs.
25. 24Andrew proposes establishing a ministry for women.
26. 25Peter turns the discussion to the offering of the body and blood.
27. 26John argues from the Last Supper that women did not stand with the apostles at the offering; Martha and Mary respond.
28. 27Women are to pray seated on the ground, not standing.
29. 28The ministry of women is limited to supporting women in need.
30. 29Generous sharing lays up treasure in the kingdom.
31. 30Closing exhortation to keep the commandments without adding or taking away; doxology.