However, Trent confirmed the statements of earlier and less authoritative regional councils which included also the deuterocanonical books, such as the Synod of Hippo ( 393 ), and the Councils of Carthage of 397.

The African Synod of Hippo, in 393, approved the New Testament, as it stands today, together with the Septuagint books, a decision that was repeated by Councils of Carthage in 397 and 419.

The first council that accepted the present canon of the New Testament may have been the Synod of Hippo Regius in North Africa ( AD 393 ); the acts of this council, however, are lost.

All three Johannine epistles were recognised by the 39th festal letter of Athanasius, the Synod of Hippo and the Council of Carthage.

* Synod of Hippo: A council at Hippo Regius ( Algeria ) is hosted by the Christian Church.

The Synod of Hippo of 393 ordered a general meeting yearly, but this was found too onerous for the bishops, and in the Synod of Carthage ( 407 ) it was decided to hold a general synod only when necessary for the needs of all Africa, and it was to be held at a place most convenient for the purpose.

At the Synod of Hippo ( 393 ) it was ordered that " dignities " should be sent from each ecclesiastical province.

At the Synod of Hippo ( 393 ), and again at the Synod of 397 at Carthage, a list of the books of Holy Scripture was drawn up, which survives to the current day as the Catholic canon ( including some books considered apocrypha by Protestants ).

* Synod of Hippo

A synod in Hippo in 393 repeated Athanasius ' and Damasus ' New Testament list ( without the Epistle to the Hebrews ), and a synod in Carthage in 397 repeated Athanasius ' and Damasus ' complete New Testament list.

Three councils were held at Hippo ( 393, 394, 426 ) and more synods-also in 397 ( two sessions ), June and September and 401, all under Aurelius.

The synods of the Ancient ( North ) African church were held, with but few exceptions ( e. g. Hippo, 393 ; Milevum, 402 ) at Carthage.