Gday,
Originally posted by Sinter Klaas
Then point it out to me ! I'm not playing a game with you !
I'm giving my honest opinion.
I did point it out you.
But you just refused to read it.
Here, for instance, I linked to the actual canons of the Council of Nicea - but you've never even HEARD of this document, and you didn't even read
it:
www.newadvent.org...
It's the actual official record of what happened at the council - the formal document that was sent to all the churches telling them what to
believe.
The KEY piece of evidence in this case - the actual minutes of the meeting.
Guess what?
They say NOTHING about choosing the books of the bible.
Nothing.
This is clear and present evidence.
But you refused to even LOOK at it !
So, here is a copy right here in the thread - will you even READ it then?
The Ecthesis of the Synod at Nice.
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, the only-begotten
of his Father, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten (γεννηθέντα), not made, being of
one substance (ὁμοούσιον, consubstantialem) with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us
men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and the third day he rose again, and ascended into
heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say that there was a
time when the Son of God was not (ἤν ποτε ὅτε οὐκ ἦν), or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that
were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion — all
that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.
The Canons
Canon 1
If any one in sickness has been subjected by physicians to a surgical operation, or if he has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the
clergy; but, if any one in sound health has castrated himself, it behooves that such an one, if [already] enrolled among the clergy, should cease
[from his ministry], and that from henceforth no such person should be promoted. But, as it is evident that this is said of those who wilfully do the
thing and presume to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians, or by their masters, and should otherwise be found worthy,
such men the Canon admits to the clergy.
Canon 2
Forasmuch as, either from necessity, or through the urgency of individuals, many things have been done contrary to the Ecclesiastical canon, so that
men just converted from heathenism to the faith, and who have been instructed but a little while, are straightway brought to the spiritual laver, and
as soon as they have been baptized, are advanced to the episcopate or the presbyterate, it has seemed right to us that for the time to come no such
thing shall be done. For to the catechumen himself there is need of time and of a longer trial after baptism. For the saying is clear, "Not a novice;
lest, being lifted up with ""pride, he fall into condemnation and the snare of the devil." But if, as time goes on, any sensual sin should be found
out about the person, and he should be convicted by two or three witnesses, let him cease from the clerical office. And whoso shall transgress these
[enactments] will imperil his own clerical position, as a person who presumes to disobey the great Synod.
Canon 3
The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon, or any one of the clergy whatever, to have a subintroducta dwelling with him,
except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons only as are beyond all suspicion.
Canon 4
It is by all means proper that a bishop should be appointed by all the bishops in the province; but should this be difficult, either on account of
urgent necessity or because of distance, three at least should meet together, and the suffrages of the absent [bishops] also being given and
communicated in writing, then the ordination should take place. But in every province the ratification of what is done should be left to the
Metropolitan.
Canon 5
Concerning those, whether of the clergy or of the laity, who have been excommunicated in the several provinces, let the provision of the canon be
observed by the bishops which provides that persons cast out by some be not readmitted by others. Nevertheless, inquiry should be made whether they
have been excommunicated through captiousness, or contentiousness, or any such like ungracious disposition in the bishop. And, that this matter may
have due investigation, it is decreed that in every province synods shall be held twice a year, in order that when all the bishops of the province are
assembled together, such questions may by them be thoroughly examined, that so those who have confessedly offended against their bishop, may be seen
by all to be for just cause excommunicated, until it shall seem fit to a general meeting of the bishops to pronounce a milder sentence upon them. And
let these synods be held, the one before Lent, (that the pure Gift may be offered to God after all bitterness has been put away), and let the second
be held about autumn.
Canon 6
Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is
customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the Churches retain their privileges. And this is to be
universally understood, that if any one be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a man ought not
to be a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops shall from natural love of contradiction, oppose the common suffrage of the rest, it being
reasonable and in accordance with the ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority prevail.
...
[edit on 21-3-2010 by Kapyong]
[edit on 21-3-2010 by Kapyong]
