1. Church Organization 1.The nature of the Church 2.Types of ministry in the NT 3.Three ranks of ministry 4.The status of the bishop of Rome 5.Cyprian on the lapsed, sacraments & church unity

2. Characteristics of the Church One Holy Catholic Apostolic

3. Types of ministry in the NT Apostles Prophets Teachers Other gifts mentioned: evangelists, pastors (Eph. 4:11); healers, miracle-workers, helpers, administrators, speakers in tongues (1 Cor 12:28).

4. Ranks of Ministry 1. Bishops 2. Presbyters (pastors/ priests) 3. Deacons

5. Five Patriarchates Jerusalem Antioch Rome Alexandria Constantinople

6. Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Prominent lawyer & teacher of rhetoric Converted to Christianity ca. 246 Became a bishop in 248 Issue of the lapsed: –Novatian: no reconciliation with the Church –Cornelius/ Cyprian: reconciliation after a suitable period of probation

7. Map 2 nd c.