Institutes of Christian religion - Calvin - LX - Chapter 4 of Book 4

Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 of Book 4.

My summary
This week's reading is similar to last week.  But instead of looking at church government in the Bible it looks at church government in the early church.

Thus we learn about the emergence of specific roles for:
(i) bishops;
(ii) archbishops;
(iii) archdeacons;
(iv) clergy.

Calvin also teaches us about the early administration of funds.

What grabbed me
It was interesting to see the strict observance of frugality amongst the early church leaders: 'When any one began to wanton either in luxury or ostentation and show, he was immediately reprimanded by his colleagues, and if he obeyed not, was deprived of his honours. '

A very different practice from most of the church today.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 5 of Book 4.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.