Posted by Ray Kidder on 10/4/2009, 5:30 pm, in reply to "Re: artificial contraception"
98.204.216.96
Searcher,
This is what a Wikipedia web page says about the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea:
"Constantine had invited all 1800 bishops of the Christian church (about 1000 in the east and 800 in the west), but a lesser and unknown number attended. Eusebius of Caesarea counted 250,[9] Athanasius of Alexandria counted 318,[10] and Eustathius of Antioch counted 270[11] (all three were present at the council). Later, Socrates Scholasticus recorded more than 300,[12] and Evagrius,[13] Hilarius,[14] Jerome[15] and Rufinus recorded 318.
The participating bishops were given free travel to and from their episcopal sees to the council, as well as lodging. These bishops did not travel alone; each one had permission to bring with him two priests and three deacons; so the total number of attendees would have been above 1,500. Eusebius speaks of an almost innumerable host of accompanying priests, deacons and acolytes."
It seems obvious to me that this meeting had many of the most senior and learned men of Christendom in attendance. If you claim that it doesn't matter how well learned a Christian is for useful participation in this ecumenical council, then what about this passage found in I Timothy 2 (NKJV):
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
I would think that a good way to not be a novice is to study a lot of scripture. If someone is unfamiliar with scripture, then it makes sense that they would not have been invited to this ecumenical council. Do you think someone should be a pastor or bishop who has the resources to study scripture, but does not do so?
Ray Kidder
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