Tizaz
Statute 1
Overview
The named apostles recount Christ’s command to divide their mission among themselves, establish the Church’s ministries and order, and send these instructions throughout the world.
1John, Matthew, Peter, Philip, Simon, James, Nathanael, Thomas, Cephas, Andrew, Bartholomew, Judas, and James the brother of our Lord said: “When we were assembled together with the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, he commanded us and said to us: ‘Divide the earth among yourselves, so that each of you may take his place according to your number. Take up the order of bishops, the seat of presbyters, the duties of deacons, the understanding of readers, and blameless widows, as well as the work upon which the foundations of the Church may be established. By this they may make a pattern of what is in heaven, keep themselves from all wickedness, and know that they themselves will answer on the day of judgment because they heard but did not keep it.’
2He commanded us to send these words throughout the whole world. It is fitting that each of us follow what our Lord—glory to him—revealed to us by the will of God the Father through the Holy Spirit. Remembering his word, we should charge you by it, as a reminder and instruction, brothers.”