Church office

Bishops, presbyters, deacons, and other ministries, and their authority.

Passages that substantially address this topic, in date order.

• Didache 10.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Prophets may give thanks freely.
• Didache 11.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Welcome teachers who teach these things.
• Didache 11.10Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A prophet who does not practice what he teaches is false.
• Didache 11.11Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A proven prophet who performs symbolic acts is left to God's judgment.
• Didache 11.12Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Ignore a prophet who asks for money for himself.
• Didache 11.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Reject teachers who undermine this teaching; welcome those who build it up.
• Didache 11.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Instructions on traveling apostles and prophets.
• Didache 11.4Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Receive every apostle as the Lord.
• Didache 11.5Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · An apostle who stays three days is a false prophet.
• Didache 11.6Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · An apostle who asks for money is a false prophet.
• Didache 11.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Do not judge a prophet speaking in the Spirit; that sin is unforgivable.
• Didache 11.8Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · True and false prophets are known by their conduct.
• Didache 11.9Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A prophet who orders a meal “in the Spirit” and eats it is false.
• Didache 12.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Welcome travelers in the Lord's name, but test them.
• Didache 13.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A true prophet who settles among you deserves support.
• Didache 13.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · True teachers also deserve support.
• Didache 13.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruits of produce and flocks to the prophets.
• Didache 13.5Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruit of your baking.
• Didache 13.6Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruit of wine and oil to the prophets.
• Didache 13.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give a firstfruit of money, clothing, and all possessions.
• Didache 15.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Choose worthy bishops and deacons, who also serve as prophets and teachers.
• Didache 15.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Honor your bishops and deacons.
• Didache 15.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Correct one another peacefully; shun the unrepentant.
• Didache 4.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Honor the one who teaches you God's word as you would the Lord.
• 1 Clement 1.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Roman church apologizes for its delay in addressing the revolt at Corinth.
• 1 Clement 1.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthians once respected their leaders and elders, and their households were well ordered.
• 1 Clement 14.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Obey God, not the ringleaders of jealousy.
• 1 Clement 14.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Following troublemakers is dangerous.
• 1 Clement 15.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Side with those who truly seek peace.
• 1 Clement 16.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Christ belongs to the humble, not to those who lord it over his flock.
• 1 Clement 21.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to offend the proud than to offend God.
• 1 Clement 21.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Reverence Christ, respect leaders, honor elders, teach the young, guide wives in goodness.
• 1 Clement 3.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The young rose up against their elders.
• 1 Clement 37.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Serve God like soldiers.
• 1 Clement 37.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Soldiers obey their commanders in good order.
• 1 Clement 37.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Each soldier serves in his own rank.
• 1 Clement 37.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Great and small need each other.
• 1 Clement 37.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Like the body's members, all serve the whole.
• 1 Clement 38.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Let each serve the others with his own gift.
• 1 Clement 4.12Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Revolt against Moses destroyed Dathan and Abiram.
• 1 Clement 40.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Do everything in the order God has appointed.
• 1 Clement 40.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · God set times for worship.
• 1 Clement 40.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · God determined where and by whom worship is offered.
• 1 Clement 40.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Offerings made in order are acceptable.
• 1 Clement 40.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · In Israel's worship each order had its own role.
• 1 Clement 41.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Each should serve God in his own rank.
• 1 Clement 41.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Sacrifices were offered only in the appointed place and manner.
• 1 Clement 41.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Disobeying God's order brought death.
• 1 Clement 42.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The gospel came from God through Christ to the apostles.
• 1 Clement 42.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Christ from God, the apostles from Christ: all in good order.
• 1 Clement 42.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles went out preaching the coming kingdom.
• 1 Clement 42.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles appointed bishops and deacons from their first converts.
• 1 Clement 42.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Scripture foretold bishops and deacons.
• 1 Clement 43.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses too recorded God's commands, and the prophets confirmed them.
• 1 Clement 43.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses settled the priesthood dispute with the twelve rods.
• 1 Clement 43.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The blossoming rod would show God's choice.
• 1 Clement 43.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Aaron's rod blossomed and bore fruit.
• 1 Clement 43.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses acted to prevent disorder.
• 1 Clement 44.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles foresaw strife over the office of bishop.
• 1 Clement 44.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles provided for others to succeed the leaders they appointed.
• 1 Clement 44.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Leaders rightly appointed and blameless should not be removed.
• 1 Clement 44.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Deposing blameless bishops is a serious sin.
• 1 Clement 44.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Blessed are the presbyters who died in office.
• 1 Clement 44.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthians removed blameless leaders.
• 1 Clement 46.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Why is there strife among you?
• 1 Clement 46.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · One God, one Christ, one Spirit, one calling.
• 1 Clement 46.7Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Division tears apart Christ's body.
• 1 Clement 46.9Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The schism has harmed many and still continues.
• 1 Clement 47.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthian church has rebelled against its presbyters because of one or two people.
• 1 Clement 51.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Seek forgiveness; the ringleaders should consider the common hope.
• 1 Clement 51.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The loving would rather suffer than harm others or the church's harmony.
• 1 Clement 51.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to confess than to harden one's heart like Korah's rebels.
• 1 Clement 54.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Who among you is truly noble?
• 1 Clement 54.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Let the ringleaders withdraw so the church can be at peace with its presbyters.
• 1 Clement 54.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Whoever steps aside will be honored everywhere.
• 1 Clement 56.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Pray for the offenders to yield to God's will.
• 1 Clement 57.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The ringleaders must submit to the presbyters and repent.
• 1 Clement 57.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to be small in Christ's flock than to be cast out.
• 1 Clement 59.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Disobeying this letter, which speaks God's word, is dangerous.
• 1 Clement 63.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Submit and end the faction.
• 1 Clement 63.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Obey this letter, written through the Spirit, and end the quarrel.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 8.7.4 (73.4)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Green but cracked sticks are good people jealous for first place.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.25.2 (102.2)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The springs are the apostles and teachers who taught purely; their place is with the angels.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.26.2 (103.2)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Spotted stones are deacons who embezzled from widows and orphans.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.27.2 (104.2)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Sheltering trees are hospitable bishops who cared for the needy and widows.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.31.5 (108.5)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Woe to the shepherds if any sheep is lost.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9.31.6 (108.6)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Shepherds of the church cannot blame the flock; they will give an account.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 2.2.6 (6.6)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The church's leaders must walk in righteousness.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 2.4.2 (8.2)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The woman has more to add before the book is given to the presbyters.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 2.4.3 (8.3)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Copies go to Clement for other cities and to Grapte for widows and orphans.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3.1.8 (9.8)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Hermas defers to the presbyters, but she tells him to sit.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3.5.1 (13.1)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · The well-fitted stones are the apostles, bishops, teachers, and deacons who lived in harmony.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3.9.10 (17.10)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Discipline one another and keep peace, so that the church may give a good account.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3.9.7 (17.7)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Church leaders must not carry poison in their hearts.
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3.9.8 (17.8)Hermas · ca. 100–150 · Leaders must cleanse their hearts and be of one mind.
• 2 Clement 17.3Anonymous · ca. 100–150 · Remember the teaching at home, and gather more often to grow in obedience.
• 2 Clement 17.5Anonymous · ca. 100–150 · Unbelievers will see Christ's glory and lament; their punishment has no end.
• To the Ephesians 1.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius has met the whole church in its bishop, Onesimus.
• To the Ephesians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius thanks the Ephesian delegates who came to him, especially the deacon Burrhus.
• To the Ephesians 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · United in obedience to the bishop and presbyters, the church will be holy.
• To the Ephesians 20.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · In the one Eucharistic bread, the “medicine of immortality,” the united church shares Christ's life.
• To the Ephesians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Christ expresses the Father's mind, and the bishops everywhere share Christ's mind.
• To the Ephesians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The presbyters are in tune with their bishop like strings on a lyre.
• To the Ephesians 4.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The whole church should be like a choir singing to the Father with one voice.
• To the Ephesians 5.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The church is joined to its bishop as the church to Christ and Christ to the Father.
• To the Ephesians 5.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Whoever stays away from the church's gathering lacks the bread of God.
• To the Ephesians 5.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who avoid the assembly are proud; to be subject to God, do not oppose the bishop.
• To the Ephesians 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop is to be received as the Lord who sent him.
• To the Magnesians 13.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stand firm in the teaching of the Lord and the apostles, with the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Magnesians 13.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Submit to the bishop and to one another, as Christ did to the Father.
• To the Magnesians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius has met the Magnesian delegates: bishop Damas, two presbyters, and the deacon Zotion.
• To the Magnesians 3.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The young bishop deserves full respect, since in obeying him the church obeys God.
• To the Magnesians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deceiving the bishop means deceiving the unseen God.
• To the Magnesians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who acknowledge the bishop but act without him are Christians in name only.
• To the Magnesians 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop presides in God's place, the presbyters as the apostles' council, and the deacons serve Christ.
• To the Magnesians 6.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Respect and love one another, united with the bishop and leaders.
• To the Magnesians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · As Christ did nothing without the Father, the church should do nothing without its bishop and presbyters.
• To the Magnesians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Gather as to one temple and one altar, to the one Christ who came from the one Father.
• To the Philadelphians, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the church at Philadelphia, united with its bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Philadelphians 1.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The Philadelphian bishop received his office from God and leads by quiet gentleness.
• To the Philadelphians 1.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius praises the bishop's steady, gentle character.
• To the Philadelphians 10.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The church at Antioch is at peace; Philadelphia should send a deacon as envoy.
• To the Philadelphians 10.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Other churches have already sent bishops, presbyters, and deacons to Antioch.
• To the Philadelphians 11.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius commends two companions, Philo and Rheus Agathopus.
• To the Philadelphians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Avoid division and follow the bishop as sheep follow their shepherd.
• To the Philadelphians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who belong to God are with the bishop; the repentant may return.
• To the Philadelphians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · One Eucharist, one flesh and cup of Christ, one altar, one bishop.
• To the Philadelphians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · While among them, Ignatius cried out by the Spirit: heed the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Philadelphians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius's call to unity came from the Spirit, not from human reports.
• To the Philadelphians 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · God forgives those who repent and return to the church's unity.
• To Polycarp, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.
• To Polycarp 1.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius urges Polycarp to care for his whole church, keep it united, and bear with everyone in love.
• To Polycarp 1.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should pray constantly, watch, speak to each person, and bear others' weaknesses.
• To Polycarp 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · A bishop must win over difficult people with gentleness, treating each according to need.
• To Polycarp 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should combine wisdom and innocence, care for visible needs, and pray for spiritual insight.
• To Polycarp 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop must care for widows and oversee everything in the church.
• To Polycarp 4.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should gather the church more often and know every member by name.
• To Polycarp 5.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Celibacy must be kept humbly, and marriages should be made with the bishop's consent so that they are according to the Lord.
• To Polycarp 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius tells the whole church to obey its bishop, presbyters, and deacons and to work together as God's servants.
• To Polycarp 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks Polycarp to call a council and choose a messenger to go to Antioch.
• To Polycarp 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius, forced to sail on suddenly, asks Polycarp to write to the other churches on his behalf.
• To Polycarp 8.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius closes with a farewell and a greeting to Alce.
• To the Romans, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the church at Rome with unusual honor.
• To the Romans 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks only to be offered to God, setting like the sun in the west to rise in God.
• To the Romans 4.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Unlike the apostles Peter and Paul, Ignatius is a condemned man who will be made free by martyrdom.
• To the Romans 9.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks prayer for his church in Syria, now shepherded by God alone.
• To the Smyrnaeans 11.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Smyrna should send an envoy to congratulate the church at Antioch on its peace.
• To the Smyrnaeans 11.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius urges the Smyrnaeans to send a messenger with a letter to Antioch.
• To the Smyrnaeans 12.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Greetings from Troas; praise for Burrhus, who helps Ignatius write.
• To the Smyrnaeans 12.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the whole church in Christ's flesh and blood.
• To the Smyrnaeans 13.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Greetings to families and to the consecrated women.
• To the Smyrnaeans 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · A valid Eucharist is one held under the bishop or his appointee.
• To the Smyrnaeans 8.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Where the bishop is, there the people should be, as the catholic church is where Christ is.
• To the Smyrnaeans 9.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Honoring the bishop is honoring God.
• To the Trallians 1.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The Trallians' bishop Polybius visited Ignatius in Smyrna.
• To the Trallians 12.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stay united in prayer and support your bishop.
• To the Trallians 13.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Farewell: obey the bishop and presbyters, and love one another.
• To the Trallians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Obeying the bishop as Christ is living according to Christ, who died for us.
• To the Trallians 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Do nothing without the bishop, and submit to the presbyters as to the apostles.
• To the Trallians 2.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deacons serve Christ's mysteries, not merely food and drink, and must be above reproach.
• To the Trallians 3.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deacons, bishop, and presbyters together make the church.
• To the Trallians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop's gentle bearing commands respect even from unbelievers.
• To the Trallians 3.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius writes gently, not presuming to command as an apostle.
• To the Trallians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stay close to God, the bishop, and the apostles' teaching.
• To the Trallians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Acting apart from the bishop, presbyters, and deacons defiles the conscience.
• To the Philippians, inscriptionPolycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp and his fellow presbyters greet the church at Philippi.
• To the Philippians 11.1Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp grieves over Valens, a presbyter at Philippi who misused his office, and warns the church against greed.
• To the Philippians 11.2Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · A leader who cannot control his own greed cannot teach others, for greed is idolatry and the saints will judge the world.
• To the Philippians 11.4Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp prays that Valens and his wife repent and urges the church to restore them as straying members rather than treat them as enemies.
• To the Philippians 5.2Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Deacons must be blameless servants of God, following the Lord who became the servant of all and who promises that the faithful will reign with him.
• To the Philippians 5.3Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Young men must live pure lives, because the sexually immoral will not inherit God's kingdom, and they must be subject to the presbyters and deacons; the virgins must keep a pure conscience.
• To the Philippians 6.1Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Presbyters must be merciful shepherds who seek the lost, care for the weak, and judge fairly, remembering that all are sinners.
• Martyrdom of Polycarp 16.2Anonymous · ca. 156–160 · Polycarp was an apostolic and prophetic teacher and the bishop of Smyrna, whose words all came true.
• The Instructor 1.6.37Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–200 · No one, not even the Gnostics, knows now what “eye has not seen”; we boast only in Christ, the milk of the flock, and milk and solid food are the same Word.
• The Instructor 3.11.63Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–200 · Wigs are godless: when the presbyter lays on hands in blessing he blesses someone else's hair; wives who wear false hair deceive their husbands and shame Christ; gray hair should not be dyed.
• The Instructor 3.12.97Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–200 · These are a few of Scripture's many precepts, including those for presbyters, bishops, deacons, and widows; their deeper interpretation belongs to the Teacher, to whom the Instructor now sends us.
• Prophetic Extracts 16.1Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · God works through human beings in teaching as in healings and prophecies.
• Prophetic Extracts 16.2Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · God sends prophets and apostles as saviors of people.
• Prophetic Extracts 16.3Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · God is all-powerful, yet he chooses to beget and teach us through human beings.
• Prophetic Extracts 23.1Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · As Christ spoke and healed through his body, he did so through the prophets, and now through the apostles and teachers;
• Prophetic Extracts 23.2Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · the church serves Christ's work, as the humanity he assumed served the Father's will.
• Prophetic Extracts 23.3Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · God always clothes himself in human beings to save humanity, once in the prophets, now in the church.
• Prophetic Extracts 29.2Clement of Alexandria · ca. 200 · Those who teach others need broad learning.
• Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.2Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–210 · After the tyrant's death, John left Patmos for Ephesus and visited nearby churches to appoint bishops and set churches in order.
• Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.3Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–210 · In a nearby city John entrusted a promising young man to the bishop, solemnly, before the church and Christ.
• Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.4Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–210 · The presbyter raised and baptized the young man, then relaxed his care, trusting in the seal of baptism.
• Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.8Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–210 · John asked the bishop to return the “deposit” entrusted to him; the bishop thought he meant money.
• Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 42.9Clement of Alexandria · ca. 190–210 · John demanded the young man's soul; the bishop wept and said he was dead to God, now a robber in the mountains.
• Miscellanies 1.1.11Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Clement's notes preserve the teaching of the blessed men he heard in Greece, southern Italy, and the East, and last in Egypt, a teacher like a Sicilian bee; they handed on the apostles' tradition.
• Miscellanies 1.1.12Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Writing preserves the tradition, as used wells stay clear and used iron stays bright; wisdom must be shared like a lamp on a stand; teachers learn as they teach, since the one Teacher inspires both.
• Miscellanies 1.1.13Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Christ shared the mysteries only with those able to receive them; secret things are entrusted to speech, not writing; what is hidden will be revealed to the few who can grasp it; God gave the church apostles, prophets, and teachers.
• Miscellanies 1.1.3Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · The parable of the talents shows that teaching must be put to work, not hidden; Paul too commands entrusting the word to faithful teachers.
• Miscellanies 1.1.4Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Both writer and preacher proclaim the word; the hearer is responsible for his choice; proclaiming gives the beginnings of faith and salvation, and Paul charges Timothy to teach impartially.
• Miscellanies 1.1.5Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Writer and reader must each examine themselves, as each communicant takes his own portion of the Eucharist after self-examination, as Paul teaches.
• Miscellanies 1.1.6Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · The teacher must examine his motives, seeking only his hearers' salvation, as Paul did; hearers too must not come from curiosity or for material gain.
• Miscellanies 1.1.7Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Workers are few, so we should pray for more; the Lord's farming is both oral and written; those who teach bring peace, and each worker will be rewarded, as Paul says.
• Miscellanies 1.1.9Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · A speaker can judge his hearers like the soils of the parable; a writer dedicates his work to God, seeking only the readers' salvation and no reward, giving freely as he has received.
• Miscellanies 2.15.69Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Psalm 1 says the ungodly will not stand in judgment; the unbeliever is already judged; through Ezekiel the Lord rebukes the shepherds who neglect the weak, since the Father rejoices over one sinner saved; Abraham obeyed.
• Miscellanies 3.12.79Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Paul's permission for spouses to abstain by consent and for a time teaches self-control without endangering marriage; celibacy and marriage each have their own service to the Lord, and bishops should be tested by ruling their households.
• Miscellanies 3.12.90Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Paul accepts the husband of one wife, whether presbyter, deacon, or layman; Christ called the Jews adulterous for abandoning the law's intent; the man who excused himself from the supper because of marriage illustrates preferring pleasure to God, not a condemnation of marriage.
• Miscellanies 3.18.108Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Paul, citing the Lord, forbids divorce, requiring a separated wife to remain unmarried or be reconciled; he also makes good household management a qualification for bishops; this refutes those who say marriage belongs only to the old law.
• Miscellanies 3.6.53Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Peter and Philip had children, and Paul had a wife; the apostles took their wives along as sisters and fellow ministers to women; the kingdom is not food and drink; the ascetics do not match the prophets, who lived austerely yet thanked the Creator.
• Miscellanies 4.17.108Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Following 1 Clement: respect leaders and elders, instruct the young, lead wives to purity, gentleness, and impartial love, and teach children humility, pure love, and the fear of the Lord, who searches hearts.
• Miscellanies 4.21.132Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to build up the church toward the perfect man, Christ's fullness; we must strive for perfection in the flesh; the one Spirit distributes varied gifts to each.
• Miscellanies 4.21.133Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Prophets, the righteous, martyrs, and preachers are each perfect in their own gift while sharing the common virtues; each has his own gift from God, but the apostles were filled with all.
• Miscellanies 5.8.54Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · The law of the uncovered pit teaches teachers to hide the depths of knowledge from those not ready, lest they stumble; the knowing teacher is accountable to God for those harmed by teaching beyond their capacity.
• Miscellanies 6.13.106Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Anyone who lives the gospel perfectly can be counted among the apostles; he is a true presbyter and deacon, made so by righteousness rather than ordination, and will sit on the twenty-four thrones; there is one saving covenant for Jews and Greeks.
• Miscellanies 6.13.107Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Jews and Greeks form one elect people, and the most perfect among them are the twenty-four elders; the church's bishops, presbyters, and deacons imitate the angelic order, and the perfected advance in glory from deacons to presbyters.
• Miscellanies 7.1.3Clement of Alexandria · ca. 198–203 · Serving God means caring for the soul and for others; as presbyters improve and deacons minister in the church, the one who knows both serves God and improves people, gathering a harvest of those saved through him.
• On Idolatry 7Tertullian · ca. 196–211 · It is scandalous that idol-makers come to church, lift their hands in prayer, touch the Lord's body, and are even admitted to church office.
• On Baptism 17Tertullian · ca. 198–206 · Bishops, and under them presbyters and deacons, administer baptism; laymen may do so in necessity, but women may not, and the Acts of Paul and Thecla, which suggests otherwise, is a forgery by a presbyter who was deposed.
• On Repentance 9Tertullian · ca. 198–206 · The second repentance must be shown outwardly in exomologesis, public confession with sackcloth, ashes, fasting, weeping, and kneeling before the presbyters and the faithful, through which God pardons.
• Prescription against Heretics 20Tertullian · ca. 203 · Christ sent the apostles, who founded churches in every city; all later churches derive from these and so are apostolic, united in peace, brotherhood, and hospitality by the one tradition.
• Prescription against Heretics 21Tertullian · ca. 203 · Only the preachers Christ sent are to be received, and their teaching is proved by agreement with the churches the apostles founded; the church's communion with those churches is the proof of its truth.
• Prescription against Heretics 25Tertullian · ca. 203 · Paul's charge to Timothy to guard the deposit refers to the teaching he had given openly before many witnesses, not to a secret doctrine.
• Prescription against Heretics 3Tertullian · ca. 203 · The fall of prominent Christians proves nothing for heresy: even Saul, David, Solomon, and an apostle fell; persons are tested by the faith, not the faith by persons.
• Prescription against Heretics 32Tertullian · ca. 203 · Apostolic churches can show a succession of bishops going back to an apostle, as Smyrna from John and Rome from Peter; newer churches are apostolic by sharing the same doctrine, but heresies pass neither test.
• Prescription against Heretics 36Tertullian · ca. 203 · Anyone may visit the apostolic churches, such as Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome, where the apostles taught and died; Rome's faith, shared with Africa, is the one from which the heresies broke away.
• Prescription against Heretics 41Tertullian · ca. 203 · Heretics live without discipline: no distinction between catechumens and believers, women who teach and baptize, and careless, shifting ordinations.
• Prescription against Heretics 42Tertullian · ca. 203 · Heretics aim to overthrow believers rather than convert pagans; they respect no authority, and their unity is itself schism, since each follows his own choice.
• Prescription against Heretics 43Tertullian · ca. 203 · Heretics associate with magicians and astrologers and deny that God is to be feared; but where God is feared there is order, discipline, and a united church.
• Against Marcion 4.13Tertullian · 207/208 (third edition, completed later) · Christ's preaching on the mountain, his night of prayer, the choice of twelve apostles, the renaming of Peter, and the crowds from Tyre all correspond to the Creator's prophecies and figures.
• Against Marcion 4.5Tertullian · 207/208 (third edition, completed later) · The apostolic churches have held Luke's gospel, with Matthew, Mark, and John, from the beginning; Marcion's version is known only in his own late churches, so it is the altered one.
• Refutation of All Heresies, Book 1, preface 6Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Only the Holy Spirit given to the church can refute heresy, and Hippolytus, as a successor of the apostles, must guard the church and teach.
• Refutation of All Heresies 7.36.3Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus blames Nicolaus, one of the seven deacons, whose followers John rebuked in Revelation for sexual immorality and eating idol sacrifices.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.11.1Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus says Callistus, hungry for the episcopate, manipulated the unlearned Bishop Zephyrinus and played both sides, telling each he agreed with them.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.11.3Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Callistus had Zephyrinus make ambiguous public statements; when Hippolytus resisted, Callistus called his party “worshippers of two gods.”
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.10Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Marcia, Commodus's Christian-leaning concubine, asked Bishop Victor for the names of the confessors in Sardinia; he left out Callistus.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.13Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Victor, displeased but merciful, sent Callistus to live at Antium on a monthly allowance.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.14Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Zephyrinus recalled Callistus, put him in charge of the cemetery, and fell under his influence.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.15Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Once bishop, Callistus expelled Sabellius to clear himself of suspicion, but Hippolytus calls him a charlatan.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.20Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus charges that Callistus founded a rival school and was lax, promising forgiveness to any sinner who joined him.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.21Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus says Callistus's rule drew people with bad consciences and excommunicates, and that he refused to depose bishops even for mortal sin.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.22Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus complains that under Callistus men married more than once were ordained, and clergy who married after ordination kept their office, justified by Rom 14:4 and the parable of the weeds.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.23Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Callistus likened the church to Noah's ark, with clean and unclean animals together, and crowds flocked to him.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.24Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus charges that Callistus allowed unmarried women of rank to take a slave or free man as a partner, regarded as a husband without legal marriage.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.25Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus says that as a result some Christian women used contraceptives and procured abortions, and he calls Callistus's teaching adultery and murder.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.12.26Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Under Callistus a second baptism was introduced, and his community, which admitted all to communion, took the name Callistians.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.7.2Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Cleomenes spread the teaching in Rome under Bishop Zephyrinus, whom Hippolytus calls ignorant and greedy, with Callistus as his adviser.
• Refutation of All Heresies 9.7.3Hippolytus of Rome · ca. 222–235 · Hippolytus says he repeatedly forced Zephyrinus and Callistus to confess the truth, but they soon fell back.
• On Prayer 28.10Origen · ca. 233–234 · Origen criticizes clergy who claim they can forgive idolatry, adultery, and sexual immorality by their prayers, ignoring the “sin unto death,” and contrasts Job's care even over possible sins of thought.
• On Prayer 28.4Origen · ca. 233–234 · Widows, deacons, presbyters, and above all bishops have special debts to pay, as do husband and wife to each other; in this life no one is ever free of debt.
• On Prayer 28.8Origen · ca. 233–234 · Everyone can forgive sins committed against himself; but only one who has received the Spirit, like the apostles, can forgive what God forgives and retain incurable sins.
• On Prayer 28.9Origen · ca. 233–234 · As the law's priests could not offer sacrifice for adultery or murder, so the apostles and those like them, taught by the Spirit, know which sins can be forgiven and which must be retained.
• Against Celsus 3.30Origen · ca. 248 · Origen compares the churches of Athens, Corinth, and Alexandria, and their councils and leaders, with the civic assemblies and magistrates of those cities, finding the church's members, even the weaker ones, morally superior.
• Against Celsus 3.48Origen · ca. 248 · “Not many wise” does not mean none; Paul requires a bishop to be able to teach and refute opponents, so the church welcomes the educated as well as the ignorant.
• Against Celsus 3.51Origen · ca. 248 · Unlike philosophers who preach to anyone, Christians examine and instruct inquirers before admitting them, expel the immoral, readmit the penitent only after a long probation, and bar the lapsed from church office.
• Against Celsus 6.40Origen · ca. 248 · Celsus's claim to have seen Christian presbyters with magic books is a slander like the old tales of Christian cannibalism, easily disproved by anyone who has lived among Christians.
• Against Celsus 6.79Origen · ca. 248 · One Christ rising from Judaea was enough to enlighten the world, and those who teach his word faithfully are themselves “anointed ones” sharing in his anointing, as the oil runs down from Aaron's head.
• Against Celsus 8.75Origen · ca. 248 · Instead of holding civic office, Christians serve in the church, the other country founded by God's Word in every city, whose rulers are chosen for ability and good life and serve under compulsion from Christ, caring for those within and without.
• On the Lapsed 14Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Those who sacrificed willingly have no wounds to show; flattery would harm them, and like a good physician the bishop must treat them with stern remedies for their healing.
• On the Lapsed 16Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Easy readmission of the lapsed before penance and reconciliation is not peace but a new persecution by the devil, which robs them of true repentance; only the Lord can show mercy.
• On the Lapsed 18Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Rash forgiveness harms the lapsed; even the martyrs beneath the altar must wait for God's judgment, so their requests for the lapsed can be honored only if they agree with the Lord's law.
• On the Lapsed 20Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Christ's promise to deny those who deny him must stand, or his promise to confess the faithful falls too; the martyrs, faithful to the gospel, cannot ask bishops to act against it.
• On the Lapsed 22Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Some of the lapsed, unrepentant and proud, rage against the clergy for refusing them the Eucharist, though these are the very ones praying for their forgiveness.
• On the Lapsed 28Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Those who only considered sacrificing do well to confess it to the clergy; those with certificates sinned less than those who sacrificed, but are not innocent and must still do penance.
• On the Lapsed 29Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Cyprian urges the lapsed to confess their sin while still alive and to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
• On the Lapsed 32Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Cyprian begs the lapsed to join the clergy's tears and prayers with full penance.
• On the Lapsed 36Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · God can forgive the truly penitent and even restore them to fight again and win the martyr's crown.
• On the Lapsed 6Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Cyprian lists the sins that provoked the persecution: greed, vanity, fraud, marriage with unbelievers, perjury, quarreling, and bishops who neglected their people for business and usury.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 10Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · God permits heresies to test the faithful; schismatics make themselves bishops without lawful ordination.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 13Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · God accepts neither prayer nor sacrifice from those at odds with their brothers, so schismatics cannot expect Christ's presence.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 17Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Believers must shun schismatics, who set up a rival altar and profane the Lord's sacrifice.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 18Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Korah, Uzziah, and Aaron's sons were punished for usurping the priesthood, as schismatics will be.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 4Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · Christ built the church on Peter to show its unity; the other apostles had equal honour and power, but the church begins from one and is one.
• On the Unity of the Catholic Church 5Cyprian of Carthage · 251 · The bishops must uphold unity: the episcopate is one, held jointly by each, and the church is one like a sun with many rays or a spring with many streams.