The Apostolic Fathers and Writings

Introduction

They are Christian writers who lived during the centuries following the apostles, and whose writings are regarded as formative for the doctrine of the Church. They are the earliest thought outside of the New Testament. They are called the "Apostolic Fathers" as they directly knew and learnt from the disciples of Jesus’

The Early Church Fathers did not always agree with each other but they did on the fundamental doctrines of the faith.

1. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 50-107)

St. Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of the Apostle John, according to early Church tradition. He recognises his own authority as Bishop of Antioch as below that of the writings of the Apostles Peter and Paul (His teachers) found in the New Testament.

Epistle to Romans Chapter 4 - “I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commanments unto you”. They were apostle; I am but a condemned man: they were free, while I am, even until now, a servant”

He wrote seven letters (c. 107-110) to and seems to make references and illusions to most of Paul’s letters such as 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, Romans, Colossians and Ephesians.

Seven of his letters have survived and are addressed to churches in places like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome. He also writes a letter to Polycarp of Smyrna. These letters touch on:

Church unity - he talks about submitting to your bishop

The divinity of Jesus - He is the clearest and strongest among the Apostolic Fathers in affirming Jesus’ divinity by frequently calling Jesus “our God” in his letters.

The authority of bishops - He had a three office (Bishop-Elder/Presbyter-Deacon) hierarchy view of the Church.

The importance of the Eucharist - He believed in the REAL presence of Christ in the communion

Combating heresies, particularly Docetism (the belief that Christ only seemed to be human)

Martyrdom as a path to union with Christ - He expected to die for his faith and indeed seems to look forward to it.

2. Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69-155)

Like Ignatius, he was a disciple of the Apostle John which made him a crucial witness to the authentic apostolic tradition. He received a letter from Ignatius with pastoral advice and to remain strong so they were contemporary and knew of each other.

His only surviving work is the “Letter to the Philippians” (c. 110-155), in which he exhorts Christians to remain faithful, warns against heresy, and quotes or alludes to many New Testament writings—providing early evidence for their use and authority.

Strong opponent of Gnosticism and heresies like Marcionism - He often warns against their false teaching

Emphasized the importance of faith, obedience, and unity

Affirmed the real humanity and divinity of Christ. Polycarp emphasizes Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Son of God.

The authority of bishops - He had two office (Elder/Presbyter-Deacon) hierarchy view of the Church.

He died for his faith like Ignatius of Antioch but had a two office (Elder/Presbyter-Deacon) view of the Church. He was accused of being an atheist by the Romans because he did not believe in any of the Roman gods. When they were about to kill him they said for him to repent and say “down with the atheists” so he pointed at the Romans and said it!

3. Clement of Rome (c. 35-100)

He writes a letter (1 Clement c 70-95) to the Corinthians to stop being so immature which ties in with what Paul writes to them. He is traditionally considered the third or fourth bishop of Rome, making him one of the first Popes in Catholic tradition. Only one letter survives to this day.

Clement refers to Jesus with titles like "Lord" and "Son of God", and speaks of His preeminence and role in salvation.

Unity in the Church - The letter was written to restore peace and order in the Corinthian church, where younger members had removed their leaders (presbyters). The Church as a Living Body.

He promotes virtues like humility, patience, obedience, and mutual love, emphasizing that division is sinful and contrary to Christ.

Apostolic Succession and Church Authority - This is one of the earliest affirmations of apostolic succession and Church hierarchy.

Authority of Scriptures - Clement frequently quotes or alludes to Old Testament Scripture, and also draws from New Testament teachings, especially the Gospels and Paul’s letters. This shows how Scripture was already central in early Christian life and doctrine, even before the canon was formally defined.

Faith and Works - He teaches that salvation is by grace, but also that good works and righteous living are essential.

He affirms belief in the resurrection of the dead and God’s judgment

4. The Didache (c. 50-120)

This is an anonymous. The word “Didache” is the Greek word for “teachng”. It had an earlier title of “The Teaching of the Lord Through the Apostles to the Nations”. It is considered one of the earliest books written by someone faithfully conveying hte teachings of Jesus.

The book is later refered to by Clement of Alexandria and Athanasius of Alexandria so it may have been sent to the Egyptian Church. The Jewish style and instructions for baptisms in desert communities suggests a Syrian (Antioch) destination. Fragments had been founf in Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopian and Georgian so it was largley translated and distributed by the early Church. It was essentially and early church manual. There is an 11th century Greek manuscript called Codex Hierosolymitanus had the full Greek text and was published in 1883. Some key points are:

Practical Morality

Church Services & Christian Life - Don’t eat food sacrificed to idols. Fast ahead of Baptism for 1-2 days and to be done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ideally in running water but other methods if not available. Christians were to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays every week to differ from Jews. They were to say the Lord’s prayer three times each day. There was specific prayers when carring out the Eucharist. It was only for those whom had been baptised. There was no pattern for when it took place.

Two ways - The Way to Life was Love, Bless, Fast, Give. Remember and Honour God. Good Teaching. Meek and Long Suffering. Blameless, Gentle and Good. The Way to Death was Sins, Character Flaws.

Church Ranks - Apostles (travelling representatives) , Teachers, Prophets, Bishops (overseer of local church) and Deacons. They all had to be of good character.

Return of Jesus Christ

5. The Epistle of Barnabas (c 100-130)

This is not to be confused with the “Gospel of Barnabas” which is a 13-15th century forgery. The complete text is preserved in the 4th-century Codex Sinaiticus, where it appears at the end of the New Testament, following the Book of Revelation and before the Shepherd of Hermas. The author, recipients, location and date are unknown. The general consensus is that it was written after the lifetime of Barnabas who was a companion of the Apostle Paul. It has two sections:-

Chapter 1-17 - Doctrinal. The superiority of Christianity over Judaism.

Chapter 18-21 - The Two Ways. Also found in the Didache.

The real Barnabas, Paul's companion, lived much earlier. The Epistle's language and content suggest a date after the destruction of Jerusalem, making the real Barnabas an unlikely author. While not a part of the canon of Scripture, the Epistle of Barnabas is still a valuable resource. The text gives insight into Old Testament Jewish laws and traditions, comparing and contrasting them with Christian practice under the New Covenant. Early church fathers recognised its usefulness, even as they agreed it was not divinely inspired.

6. The Shepherd of Hermas (c. 100-140)

We are not sure who wrote it. It may be the same Hermas that Paul mentions in Romans 16:14 but most scholars don’t think so. The book itself is a story so may be a work of fiction to inspire others or a biographical account. Hermas lived in Rome and was a slave to a lady called Rhodes who he slowly came to love as a sister. He has a series of visions involving an old lady representing the Church. It is similar to the Parable of the Sower and the old lady gets younger and younger. He eventually meets a Shepherd who tells him a lot about Christian ethics. It is from this book we get the popular idea of a small angel on one shoulder and the small devil on the other shoulder conflicting us. Here there is also the idea of the Guardian Angel from the Shepherd who is looking after Hermas.

The Shepherd of Hermas” was even considered canonical Scripture by some of the early church fathers such as Irenaeus during the period in which the New Testament was being canonised. Clement was also a fan of it and mentioned in it so suggests a date around his time for writing. It was an influential piece but one that didn’t make it into the canonical

6. Papias of Hierapolis (c. 110-140)

Papias was the bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and he recorded details regarding Jesus and the apostles in five books entitled Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord. Unfortunately, Papias’s books are now lost except for some excerpts found in the second- and third-century writings of Eusebius of Caesarea and Irenaeus of Lyons.

Papias of Hierapolis wrote for the stated purpose of presenting an accurate record of the teaching and works of the apostles, as reported to him by “John the Elder.” Irenaeus assumes this to be the Apostle John, while Eusebius assumes Papias is speaking of a lesser-known John.

It is from Papias that we learn that Mark’s gospel is based on the preaching of Peter. 

Papias also states that Judas Iscariot did not die from the actual hanging but from his fall when he was cut down and burst open upon hitting the ground. In this way Papias harmonises Matthew 27:5 and Acts 1:18.

While Irenaeus and Eusebius disagree on some of the finer points of interpretation in Papias, neither one disputes the essential teaching about Christ as preached by the apostles. This gives further evidence that, from the earliest days of Christianity, the risen Jesus was worshiped as God in the flesh.