Ethics and Respect o ...

REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We do affirm that our Bishops are in possession of thoroughly scrutinized and the highest caliber credentials. They meet the biblical definition of a Bishop as contained in the Pastoral Epistles.

We must reaffirm our license and initial ordination re-establishing our vocation. Education is key as to have a sense of scholarship in this Episcopal body. Therefore, matriculation to the Master of Divinity or higher is standard.

We pledge ourselves to God, Scripture, our Primate, the College of Bishops, and the flock of the faithful. We work as the overseers of spiritual affairs with the national directors, the executive council, and those so delegated. We represent the Canadian College of Evangelical Bishops as its heralds to the political, arms and governmental bodies of this world.

Apostle James the Just was one of the leaders of the early Christian community in Jerusalem and was the oldest of Jesus' brothers. James the Just was also known as James the Righteous or James the Least; these names refer to his honesty, piety, and strict ascetic practices. The letter, the Epistle of James, was included in the New Testament because of James' importance in the early church. However, James' leadership role later put him in jeopardy during periods of persecution. James was eventually put to death in Jerusalem in 62 AD.

 James is first mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew (13:55) and Mark (6:3}, where he is listed as Jesus' brother along with three other brothers and some un-named sisters. Although the brothers were members of an early community of believers in Jerusalem after Jesus departed, according to John 7:5, James and the other brothers initially didn't approve of Jesus' ministry, but later became followers.

 The early believers in Jerusalem, including James, regarded themselves as Jews as they worshiped regularly in the main Jewish Temple (Herod's Temple) and continued to adhere to the old Mosaic and Jewish religious laws. Outsiders regarded them as a new Jewish sect and called them Nazarenes, a name of uncertain origin. It is here that we have evidence of First Century Jewish worship or Messianic Believers.

 After Paul began to convert gentiles to the faith, a dispute arose over whether these new converts had to follow the old Jewish religious laws, in particular whether the males needed to be circumcised, in accordance with Moses. Paul traveled to Jerusalem in around 48 AD, where the Council at Jerusalem was held, to try to resolve the issue. However, according to Acts 15:19 it was James who made the final decision on circumcision.  The decision that was made was a compromise that allowed new male Mosaic laws. James making the final decision indicates that, at this time, he was the highest authority in the existing Christian community of Jerusalem.

 Over time the leadership gradually shifted from James to Paul. Paul founded many of the new churches and remained in contact with their members whereas James stayed in Jerusalem and had little communication with converts in other areas. Eventually the number of converted people in other cities grew rapidly and soon far outnumbered the members of the original group in Jerusalem. Naturally, these new converts tended to look to Paul, James, for leadership. James was still regarded as an important leader at the time of his death.

 James role in the early Christian movement may have been downplayed by later Christians wanting to emphasize their independence from Judaism. As James adhered to the old Jewish religious practices, later Christians may have tried to minimize his importance.

 James death, in 62 AD, was apparently a result of conflicts with the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. According to the historian Josephus, a Jewish council condemned James to execution by stoning "on the charge of breaking the law". Josephus says that this action was very unpopular with many of the citizens of Jerusalem, and that many of them viewed it as an execution that was politically motivated. Eusebius' account of James' death reports that the Pharisees, upset by his teachings, threw him from the summit of the Temple, stoned him, and then broke his skull with a fuller's club.

 Church tradition states that James was the author of the New Testament's Epistle of James. This letter was written in fluent Greek. Some scholars doubt that James, being a native Aramaic speaker, could have written it. Other scholars contend that someone could have helped James write his Epistle, or it could be a translation of what he said. The letter, revealing an authoritative leader based in Israel and many of the views expressed in it appear to differ from those of Paul, supports the idea that James wrote the Epistle. If this Epistle did come directly from James, it could be one of the earliest known Christian writings, and possibly the only one written by someone who knew Jesus personally.

 The Secret Gospel of James, which is also called the Apocryphon of James ("apocryphon" is Greek for "secret book") is another ancient writing associated with James. This work is called a Secret Gospel because it claims to contain secret revelations that Jesus made to James after his resurrection. Most scholars believe that this gospel is mostly fictional, and that it was written by an unknown person who used James' name to try to give it legitimacy. This gospel was excluded from the New Testament because ancient church officials doubted its authenticity.

Some Christians think that James was actually a step-brother of Jesus, or possibly a cousin. This is because they believe that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life, therefore couldn't have given birth to any children except Jesus. The books by Matthew, Mark, Paul, Josephus, and Hegesippus, all appear to say that James was a full brother of Jesus, and most modem scholars have reached the same conclusion.

 The Council at Jerusalem

The Council of Jerusalem is a name applied by historians and theologians to an Early Christian council that was held in Jerusalem around the year 50 AD. It is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later Ecumenical Councils, and a key part of Christian ethics.

 The council, led by James the Just, decided that Gentile converts to Christianity were not obligated to keep most of the Mosaic Law concerning circumcision of males. The Council did, however, retain the prohibitions on eating blood, meat containing blood and meat of animal’s not properly slain (keeping kosher), on fornication, and idolatry. Today's scholars believe that it was James who drew this comprise. His role in dedication to the Gospel, leadership, action and deeds show us he was in fact the first Bishop.

 Descriptions of the council are found in Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15 (in two different forms, the Alexandrian and Western versions), and also possibly in Paul's letter to the Galatians, chapter 2.

 “THE CANADIAN COLLEGE OF EVANGELICAL BISHOPS”

Today, two millennia later, the Canadian College of Evangelical Bishops calls for a restoration of the office of Bishop by the church to its rightful place.

EXPECTATIONS OF A BISHOP

A Bishop will provide theological direction on theological issues in the region they oversee. Working in conjunction with the International Council, they must always be available for counsel and direction in making decisions regarding difficult cases.

A Bishop can preside over the ordination Council in their region, if requested by the Chief Prelate.

A Bishop should be actively involved in supervising various ministries. Bishops will visit ministers, churches, ministries and attend the yearly regional, national and International conference.

A Bishop will remain well versed in the scriptures in order to teach effectively and defend the faith.

A Bishop must seek to maintain good standing within the community.

A Bishop will correct, guide, teach and preach the Word to keep the church faithful to sound doctrine. The bishop will provide instruction and guidance to ministers who are in need.

A Bishop will speak as a public representative on behalf of the CCOEB to civic and religious authorities only with the direct instruction of the International Council.

PERSONAL STANDARD

1. The minister should be ever conscious of their high and sacred calling. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
2. The minister should give diligent attention to the personal practice of biblical disciplines (1Timothy 6:11-12), and to the personal development of the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)
3. The minister should give adequate time to develop and maintain a spiritual readiness for faithfully discharging their ministerial responsibilities. (2 Timothy 2:15)
4. The minister should be diligent in prayer and in the reading of the Scriptures, and in personal development that would enhance effectiveness in ministry.
5. The minister should fulfill their ministerial duties using their God-given abilities and skills. (1Timothy 4:12-16)
6. The minister should maintain a high moral standard in both speech and conduct. (1Timothy 6:1-10)
7. The minister should strive to ever be commendable in manners and modest in appearance. (1Timothy 3:1-7; 4:12)
8. The minister should always conduct financial and business transactions in a manner that is above reproach.
9. The minister should strive to give leadership in discipline and conduct in their home and manage their family with consistency. (1Timothy 3:8-13)
10. The minister should adequately care for their own physical, emotional and psychological well-being.

MINISTRY STANDARD

1. Each member is a representative of The Canadian College of Evangelical Bishops and should seek to reflect and enhance its good reputation at all times.
2. Each member should respect the offices of the college’s leadership and seek to cooperate with their initiatives.
3. Each member should seek to enhance, and not disparage, the work of both their predecessors and successors.
4. Each member should seek to enhance, support and not disparage the work of fellow staff members and colleagues.
5. Each member should steadfastly keep guard over their congregation and refrain from giving ministry privileges to any questionable persons.
6. Each member should seek to be engaged in community activities that serve to enhance their good testimony and not interfere with other essential ministerial duties. (Acts 6:1-4)
7. Each member should refrain from any form of interference in the affairs of another assembly.
8. Each member should actively engage in methods of evangelism and outreach that would honour the Lord and the core values of The Canadian College of Evangelical Bishops also respecting the ministry of neighbouring assembly.