The Early Christians

The Early Christians

	Author: Fr. Michael Shanbour
The Holy Fathers of the Church who lived from the time of the Apostles up to the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325AD) are often called the Pre-Nicene Fathers (those who pre-date this council). Those who are sometimes called the "Apostolic Fathers" are those who were ordained (Gk = chierotonia, the laying on of hands, or setting apart) by the Apostles and their successors (in general, the generation following the Apostles). We find several references in the New Testament to the appointing of elders* (Gk = presbyteros, presbyter, priest) through the laying on of hands. Acts 14:23 "So when [The Apostles Paul and Barnabus] had appointed (i.e. "ordained" = chierotonia) elders in every church (local community of believers), and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." Acts 15:6 "Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter." (whether Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised). Acts 20:17 "From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church." Philipians 1:1 "To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons." 1 Timothy 5:18 "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." Titus 1:5 "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you." Timothy 3:1-13 "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop must be blameless?.Likewise deacons must be reverent?holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience." Titus 1:7 "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God?holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." * NOTE: It is probable that in Apostolic times the distinction between bishop and presbyter had not been completed. The bishop or overseer (Gk = episcopos) was often the leading elder among the council of presbyters in each community. Therefore it appears that sometimes the Holy Scriptures refer to "bishop" and "presbyter" synonymously. While this distinction appears to be clear by the time of St. Ignatius of Antioch (appointed bishop in 69AD), the Orthodox Church still understands both bishops and presbyters (priests) as "priests," both having a share in the Priesthood of Christ Himself, by virtue of their ordination. For this reason a bishop is also a "priest" or presbyter, but is often referred to as "high-priest" or "arch-priest." Jesus Christ Himself is called both "Bishop" (1 Pet. 2:5; Gk = episcopas, "overseer") and "High Priest" (Heb. 7:26; 9:11). The bishops and presbyters were to carry on the Apostle?s ministry within the Church. The Bishop was specifically called to lead the Eucharistic assembly and to guard the doctrines and traditions (Gk = paradosis, to pass down; See 2 Thess. 2:15 and 3:6) passed on by the Apostles. The presbyters did the same, as the Church grew, as delegates of the bishop. Some of the early bishops ordained by the Apostles were: St. James (the "brother of the Lord," see Acts 15:13), St. Timothy, St. Titus for Crete (Titus 1:5-6), St. Dionysius (Acts 17:34), St. Clement of Rome (Phil. 4:3), St. Onesimus (Col. 4:9), and St. Lazarus (the friend of Christ and "four-days" dead). The Apostolic Fathers The first generations of bishop succeeding the Apostles are sometimes called The Apostolic Fathers. Many of these were direct students (disciples) of certain Apostles who governed the Church after the repose of the Apostles. Several of these Fathers whose writing and biographies have been preserved are noted below: St. Clement of Rome Bishop of Rome from 92-101AD. St. Clement wrote a letter addressed from "the church of God who sojourns in Rome to the church of God which sojourns in Corinth..." exhorting them to resolve certain problems/rivalries within the community. This letter is quoted extensively during the next three centuries. In Syria and Egypt some lists of what was to be considered as canonical New Testament books included it. It was referred to about 80 years after its writing by Soter, bishop of Rome in a letter to Dionysius, bishop of Corinth. St. Clement on the divine origin of Church order: "[God] has commanded sacrifices and service to be performed, not in a careless and haphazard way but at the designated seasons and hours. He himself has determined where and through whom his wishes be performed, to the intent that everything should be done religiously and to his good pleasure and acceptably to his will. Those then who offer their sacrifices at the appointed seasons are acceptable and blessed; for since they comply with the Master?s orders, they do not sin. Thus to the high priest have been appointed his proper services, to the priests their own place assigned, upon the Levites their proper duties imposed; and the layman is bound by the rules for laymen. Each of us, brethren, in his own rank must please God in good conscience, not overstepping the fixed rules of his ministry, and with reverence." "And our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the title of bishop. So for this reason...they appointed those mentioned above and afterward added the stipulation that if these men should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry. Those therefore who were appointed by them or afterward by other reputable men with the consent of the whole Church, who in humility have ministered to the flock of Christ blamelessly, quietly, and unselfishly, and who have long been approved by all?lthese men we consider are being unjustly removed from their ministry. Surely we will be guilty of no small sin if we thrust out of the office of bishop those who have offered the gifts in a blameless and holy fashion. Blessed are the presbyters who have already passed on, who had a fruitful and perfect departure, for they need not be concerned lest someone remove them from the place established for them. But you, we observe, have removed some who were conducting themselves well from the ministry they have irreproachably honored." St. Ignatius of Antioch According to the 4th century church historian Eusebius, he was ordained as the second Bishop of Antioch in 69AD (note: St. Paul was martyred some time between 64-67AD) St. Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and taken to Rome to be thrown to the lions. He wrote letters to five church communities in cities between Antioch and Rome, who also sent delegations to come out to meet with him. The letters concern themselves with 1) warnings against heresies; 2) exhortation to unity centering around the Eucharist and the Bishop; 3) protection of the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ; 4) moral teachings; and, 5) appeals not to inhibit his martyrdom. St. Ignatius of Antioch on... ...the Church?s Unity in the Eucharist: "...obey the bishop and the presbytery with undisturbed mind [cf. 1 Cor. 7:35], breaking one loaf [cf. 1 Cor. 10:16-17], which is the medicine of immortality, the antedote which results not in dying but in living forever in Jesus Christ [cf. John 6:51-58]. (Epistle to the Ephesians). "Let no one deceive himself [cf. 1 Cor. 6:9]: unless a man is within the sanctuary (the Apostolic Church), he lacks the bread of God [cf. John 6:33; 1 Cor. 9:13; 10:18]....Therefore he who does not come to the assembly (Gk = ecclesia, "church") is already proud and has separated himself [cf. 1 Cor. 11:20, 31]. ...the mysteries of salvation: "Both the virginity of Mary and her giving birth escaped the notice of the prince of this age, as did the Lord?s death?three mysteries of a cry, wrought in the stillness of God." ...on the divine ministry of the Church heirarchy: "...be eagar to do everything in God?s harmony, with the bishop presiding in the place of God and the presbytery in the place of the council of the apostles and the deacons, most sweet to me, entrusted with the service of Jesus Christ...."

The preceeding article by Fr. Michael Shanbour is quoted from his parish website at http://www.christthesavior.us