CHAPTER V: CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCHES DURING THIS PERIOD.

THE STATE OF THE CHURCHES DURING THIS PERIOD. FIRST SYMPTOMS OF HERESY.

§ I. Judaizing tendency in the Churches of Palestine, Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Italy--History of the Church at Jerusalem--Judæo-Christianity is there at first kept within bounds--It becomes more decided after death of James--Melancholy condition of the other Churches of Palestine--Judaizing reaction in Palestine--False teachers there combat the influence of Paul--Church of that Country returns to St. Paul--False Teachers at Philippi--Millenarian views at Thessalonica--Church at Rome --Converts from Paganism are there the most numerous--Church of Corinth--Four Parties--Defeat of Judæo-Christianity 299

§ II. Dualistic heresies in Crete, Colosse, and Ephesus--Heresy of Simon Magus, according to the "Philosophoumena"--Heresies of Colosse, Ephesus, and the Isle of Crete--Ascetic Dualism--Abuse of the Scriptures--Medley of Judaism and Orientalism--Grievous consequences of these errors on the Christian life 317

CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCHES DURING THIS PERIOD.

§ I. General Principles of Ecclesiastical Organization--Distinction between the Church Visible and the Church Invisible--No "Mother Church"--No Representative Assemblies--No Center of Unity--Unity of Churches entirely Moral--The Church is the Company of Christians--Is entered by Individual Adherence 331

§ II. Gifts and offices--Gift of Tongues--Gifts of Prophecy and Healing--Gift of Teaching exercised by all Christians--Power of the Keys belongs to them--No Clerical Consecration of the Sacraments--Priesthood universal--Identity of Elders and Bishops--Only one category of Elders--Ministry of the Word not placed by itself--Maintenance of the Elders--The Deacon--Deaconesses--All Offices filled by Election--Imposition of Hands is not Ordination--Offices are Ministries 338