The Council of Hippo (393 AD) was a gathering of church leaders in Hippo Regius, which is in present-day Algeria, northern Africa. The council’s purpose was to determine which books should be included in the Christian Bible, clarify church doctrine, and establish rules for church governance. The council was attended by 70 bishops and other church officials from North Africa and Italy. Augustine of Hippo presided over the conference.
Determining the Biblical Canon
The most significant outcome of the Council of Hippo was the formation of the Biblical canon. Prior to the council, there was a vague universal agreement on which books should be considered authoritative scripture. Different Churches often included some books excluded by others, and vice versa. The Didache (or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles), Revelation, the Shepherd of Hermas, Hebrews, the Apocalypse of Peter, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Epistle of Clement, and the Book of Enoch are all good examples of popular “candidates.”
The council determined that the Old Testament canon would consist of the books of the Hebrew Bible, while the New Testament canon would include the four Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, and a handful of other books. This canon was later ratified by several subsequent Church councils, including the Councils of Carthage in 397 and 419.
Official Old Testament List
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, The Judges, Ruth, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, The 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Job, the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, and Ecclesiasticus, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Ezra, 2 Ezra, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees.
Official The New Testament List
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation.
*[Note, the OT list includes the Deuterocanonical (Apocryphal) books.]
Other Council of Hippo Topics
In addition to forming the Bible canon, the Council of Hippo also addressed several doctrinal issues. For example, the bishops at the council affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity, reasserted the orthodox view of original sin, and condemned a number of heresies, including Arianism, Pelagianism, and Donatism. These statements became key components of Christian orthodoxy that shape how we talk about our beliefs to this day.
The Council of Hippo also established rules for church governance, particularly regarding ecclesiastical discipline. The bishops at the council created guidelines for ordination and established the authority of bishops over their respective dioceses. Additionally, the council condemned simony (the practice of selling church offices) and established strict punishments for those who engaged in it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Council of Hippo was a significant event in the history of Christianity. It established the canonical books of the Christian Bible, clarified doctrinal issues, and set forth rules for church governance. The impact of the council is still felt in the church today, as its decisions continue to shape Christian theology, practice, and tradition.
