Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“All poor persons and such as are in need of support shall, after inquiry made, be provided only with ecclesiastical certificates and letters of peace for their journey.”
Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) “Canon 11” in History of the Councils of the Church, Volume 3 by Charles Joseph, 317.
Yesterday we arrived at the fourth council, which again, is the most documented of them all. That means we will spend some time with this one. Remember, over 500 bishops convened and they sorted rules the church for more than 100 years.
1. Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)
2. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
3. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680)
7. Second Council of Nicea (A.D. 787)
Again, the mural in the header photo I shot in the cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv depicts this council. Emperor the sister of the previous emperor, Theodosius II.
I am enjoying the canons from the Council at Chalcedon. They read like Paul’s instructions to the church in Thessalonica. After Paul spells out that “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat,” we see today’s verses.
Everyone needed to follow these instructions. Think of it this way. The church wanted to make sure the distributions to the poor were not abused. With each one, an “inquiry” was made. They wanted to avoid dependency and help the real poor.
If a person was found to be unable to work, they would get “ecclesiastical certificates” and “letters of peace.” This implied that the church inquired of their situation, certified them to receive aid, and treated them with peace, as members of God’s family.
If you aid the poor in a church today, please read this closely. Don’t just give handouts that create dependency. Make an inquiry. Help everyone in short-term crisis, and supply long-term aid only to people whom you certify that they cannot work.
The key is to make an inquiry. On this point, I honor my wife. Today is her birthday. She sits by me faithfully like Pulcheria served beside Marcian in the photo above. And I honor her because while she does not oversee aid distribution, she asks good questions.
Making an inquiry is about forming and asking good questions to find out where people are at, what they need both physically and spiritually, and providing them the help. That’s what God’s people must do for each other. That’s generosity.
Happy Birthday, Jenni. Thanks for caring for others and for me so well. Thanks for how you ask good questions. May we all learn from this council to make an inquiry so that we supply just what people need to be fruitful disciples.