Monday, January 31, 2011

Neocaesarea - Canon 15

The deacons ought to be seven in number, according to the canon, even if the city be great.  Of this you will be persuaded from the Book of the Acts.

Spurred by the letter of the Law rather than the Spirit behind it, this council affirmed that seven deacons were required for any church by virtue of the number of men serving in Acts 6 without regard for any unspoken circumstance or need.  I wonder what thought was given to the idea that seven was an efficient number to care for those needing the service rendered. Instead, it was now being sanctioned as a perfect number for a local church regardless of size.

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