ABSTRACT
Long before Constantine was converted the Christian churches had evolved their basic organization. At the head of each community, or church, was a bishop, whose powers were autocratic. He chose and ordained the priests and deacons who assisted him; he admitted new members to the community by baptism and expelled by excommunication those who broke its rules; he gave letters of introduction to members of his flock who migrated elsewhere; and he had absolute control over finance. Bishops were elected by their clergy and the general body of the faithful, but had to be consecrated by another bishop, or preferably by several neighbouring bishops. They ruled for life, unless the neighbouring bishops condemned and deposed them for serious offences.
