Chapter 48

1COMMANDMENTS, RULES, AND A DEFINITION WHICH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ESTABLISHED FOR THE ORDER OF BAPTIZED LAYPEOPLE

2Let those who first come to hear the Word, before they enter among all the people, first come to teachers in a house. Let them be examined very carefully concerning every reason for their coming, so that their teachers may know why they have come and with what intention. If they have come with good will and love, let them be diligently taught.

3Those who bring them should be mature, faithful people known by the Church. Let them testify concerning whether the newcomers are able to hear the Word. Their life and conduct should also be examined: whether they are contentious; whether they are quiet and meek; whether they speak vain things; and whether they are scornful, foul-speaking, buffoons, deceivers, or mockers.

4Let it also be asked whether any of them has a wife. If a man has no wife by his own free will, let him be instructed carefully and diligently and persuaded with all kindness to amend his faults. Let the bishop provide for him in the Lord with prophetic instructions that lead him to purity; and if he makes progress, with apostolic teachings, then with Gospel teachings and the perfect word of doctrine. If he is worthy, let him be baptized.

5If he is worthy of the hidden things, let him hear them by himself and make progress in that which is hidden.

6Let there be no obstacle to anyone who desires to marry, so that he may not be caught by the Evil One through fornication. Let him marry a Christian, a faithful woman of the Christian people, who is able to keep her husband in the faith. Let him do so at the direction of the bishop, who will provide for him.

7Let the one who comes also be asked whether he is enslaved or free. If he is the slave of a believer, and his master permits him, let him hear. If his master is not a believer and does not permit him, let the master be persuaded to permit him.

8If his master says truthfully that the slave wishes to become a Christian because he hates his masters, let him be cast out. But if no cause arising from hatred of servitude is shown, and he truly wishes to become a Christian, let him hear. If his master is a believer but does not testify on his behalf, let him be cast out.

9Similarly, if a woman is a man’s wife, let her be taught to please her husband in the fear of God. But if both desire to practice purity in devotion, they have a reward.

10Let the unmarried person not commit fornication, but marry according to the law. If anyone desires to persevere unmarried, let that person abide in the Lord.

11If anyone is tormented by a demon, let that person not hear the Word from a teacher until cleansed. For the understanding, when consumed by a material spirit, does not receive the immaterial and holy Word. But when that person has been cleansed, let that person be instructed in the Word.