Church History and Patrology for Pre-servants
Lecture 2
CH&PAT_2: The Church in the 1st Century (Apostolic Era)
Part-2 Examples of the Apostolic Fathers
Objective: Explore the writings of the famous Fathers of the 1st century.
References:
- The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone
- Southern USA Coptic Bishopric:
http://www.suscopts.org/servantsprep/materials/index.html
- The Fathers of the Church website: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/
2.0 Background
The Main Personalities of the 1st Century are:
2.0.1 The Twelve Disciples: Christ chose them (Matthew 10:2-4), grant them
“Priesthood” (John 20:22-23), Matthias (Judas Iscariot replacement) by “Priesthood
succession” (Acts 1:23-26)
2.0.2 St. Paul: Christ chose St. Paul (Acts 9:15), Priesthood succession by Ananias;
one of the 70 Apostles (Acts 9:15), evangelization by Christ revelation (Galatians 1:12).
2.0.3 The Apostles: Some of the famous 70 Apostles are: St. Barnabas, St. Mark, and
St. Luke. Some of St. Paul’s assistants are: St. Timothy, St. Titus, and St. Silas.
Christ chose the 70 (Luke 10:1), “Priesthood Succession” implied in (Acts 1:15),
evangelization to Samaria by Philip (Acts 8:4-5), to the Gentiles starting with Antioch by
Barnabas (Acts 11:22)
2.0.4
The Famous Church Fathers:
We will explore some of the writings of Clement of Rome, Ignatius Bishop of
Antioch, and Polycarp bishop of Smyrna.
2.1 Clement of Rome
2.1.1 Biography:
 He was ordained by St. Peter as Bishop of Rome from 93 to 101 A.D.
 He was mentioned in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:3: “I urge you also, true
companion, and help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement
also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life”.
2.1.2 Main Writings:
 First Epistle (To Corinth)
 Though has not been authenticated, he wrote other 3 epistles, a recognition and the
Clementine Homilies.
2.1.3 The First Epistle as an example of his writings:
 It consists of 65 paragraphs (chapters) similar to the 1st epistle of St. Paul to the
Corinthians. It has a great dogmatic importance as it declares the dogma of the
apostolic succession and the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Chapter 13: Humility – “Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside
all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings”

Chapter 48: Brotherly Love – “Let us therefore, with all haste, put an end to this
[state of things]; and let us fall down before the Lord, and beseech Him with tears,
that He would mercifully be reconciled to us, and restore us to our former seemly and
holy practice of brotherly love”
2.2 Ignatius Bishop of Antioch
2.2.1 Biography:
 He is known as Theophorus (God bearer) and was a disciple to St. John the
Evangelist
 He was born around 35AD and martyred 107-117 AD.
 He was ordained by St. Peter as bishop of Antioch (Syria) around 98AD.
 He was the child whom the Savior took up in His arms, as described in Mark 9:36.
2.1.2 Main Writings:
 7 epistles exist
 Some other lost writings
2.1.3 His Epistle to the Philadelphians as an example of his writings:
 It consists of 11 paragraphs (chapters)
 Chapter 4: Have but One Eucharist – “Take heed, then, to have but one Eucharist.
For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to [show forth ] the unity
of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons,
my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever you do, you may do it according to [the will
of] God”.
 Chapter 6: Do not accept Judaism – “But if any one preaches the Jewish law unto
you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man
who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of
such persons does not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as
monuments and sepulchers of the dead”.
2.3 Polycarp bishop of Smyrna
2.3.1 Biography:
 He was born 69AD and martyred (fire to ashes) 155AD.
 He is the 1st bishop of Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey) whom was ordained by St. John the
Evangelist and was praised by Christ in the Revelation.
 He defended against the followers of heretic Marcion (reject the Old Testament) and
Gnostic heretic Valentinus.
2.3.2 Main Writings:
 Only 1 epistle to the Philippians survived.
2.3.3 His Epistle to the Philippians as an example of his writings:
 It consists of 14 paragraphs (chapters)
 Chapter 8: Persevere in hope and patience – “Let us then continually persevere in our
hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, who bore our sins
in His own body on the tree, 1 Peter 2:24 who did no sin, neither was guile found in
His mouth, 1 Peter 2:22 but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him.
1 John 4:9 Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer Acts 5:41;
1 Peter 4:16 for His name's sake let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example
1 Peter 2:21 in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case”.