Editing Episcopal polity (section)

==History==

Churches with an episcopal [[polity]] are governed by bishops, practising their authorities in the [[diocese]]s and [[Episcopal Conference|conference]]s or [[synod]]s. Their leadership is both [[sacrament]]al and constitutional; as well as performing [[ordination]]s, [[confirmation]]s, and [[consecration]]s, the bishop supervises the [[clergy]] within a local jurisdiction and is the representative both to secular structures and within the hierarchy of the church. 

Bishops are considered to derive their authority from an unbroken, personal [[apostolic succession]] from the [[Twelve Apostles]] of [[Jesus]]. Bishops with such authority are said to represent the [[historical episcopate]] or historic episcopate. Churches with this type of government usually believe that the Church requires episcopal government as described in the New Testament (see [http://www.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/3 1 Timothy 3] and [http://www.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/1 2 Timothy 1]). In some systems, bishops may be subject in limited ways to bishops holding a higher office (variously called [[archbishop]]s, [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]]s, or [[patriarch]]s, depending upon the tradition). They also meet in councils or synods. These gatherings, subject to presidency by higher ranking bishops, usually make important decisions, though the synod or council may also be purely advisory.

For much of the [[recorded history|written history]] of institutional Christianity, episcopal government was the only known form of church organization. This changed at the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]]. Many [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches are now organized by either [[Congregationalist polity|congregational]] or [[Presbyterian polity|presbyterian]] church polities, both descended from the writings of [[John Calvin]], a Protestant reformer working and writing independently following the break with the [[Catholic Church]] precipitated by [[The Ninety-Five Theses]] of [[Martin Luther]]. However, some people have disputed the episcopal polity before the reformation, such as [[Aerius of Sebaste]] in the 4th century.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311–600 – Christian Classics Ethereal Library|url=https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3/hcc3.iii.vii.xx.html|access-date=2021-12-21|website=ccel.org}}</ref>