Believers

Believers In the early Church this term (πιστοί, fideles) was applied strictly to the believing or baptized laity, in contradistinction to the clergy or the catechumens. They had many titles, honors, and privileges, which raised them above the catechumens. They were called "the illuminated," "the initiated," "the perfect," "the favorites of heaven." They alone could partake of the Lord's Supper, the catechumens being previously dismissed; they joined in all the prayers of the Church; they alone used the Lord's Prayer, for the catechumens were not allowed to say "Our Father;" and they were auditors of all discourses made in the church. — Bingham, Orig. Eccles. bk. i, ch. 3 and 4.

⇒Bible concordance for BELIEVER.

⇒Definition of believer

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.