Irenaeus

Irenaeus (~140 - 203 AD) was Bishop of Lugdunum, now Lyons, France.  He was born in Smyrna, raised in a Christian family, and heard Polycarp's teaching in his younger days. It is unclear if he was martyred or not.

Irenaeus wrote a number of books, but only two complete works survive.  The most important is Against Heresies, a five-book series refuting Gnosticism.  The second is A Demonstration of Apostolic Preaching, which may have been used to instruct new believers.

Gnosticism gets its name from the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge.  There were many different schools and variations of it, but they all taught some special kind of knowledge was required for salvation.  They freely borrowed from various religions, including Judaism, Roman and Greek traditions, Zoroastrianism, and eventually Christianity.  Because it included Christian concepts and terminology, increasing numbers of Christians were adopting these gnostic beliefs and Irenaeus argued strongly to show how they were contrary to scripture and the apostles' teaching.

In the process of refuting Gnosticism, Irenaeus helped establish what we now call the New Testament.  Because heretical writings started surfacing falsely claiming to be written by one of the apostles, Irenaeus cited those writings that were authentic.  He referred to both the Old Testament and the apostles' writings as "Scripture."

Irenaeus introduced some new concepts, including apostolic succession and the authority of church tradition.  Because the heretics claimed to know more than the apostles did, Irenaeus not only pointed to the apostles' writings, but also to the fact that some of the apostles appointed the first church elders.  Implied in that is that there was first-hand instruction, which ensured clear inheritance of doctrine.  Since heretics were introducing new ideas, church traditions were seen as another way of ensuring consistent doctrine.
But again, when we refer them to that tradition which originates from the apostles, [and] which is preserved by means of the succession of presbyters in the churches, they object to tradition, saying that they themselves are wiser not merely than the presbyters, but even than the apostles, because they have discovered the unadulterated truth. ... It comes to this, therefore, that these men do now consent neither to Scripture nor to tradition.  Against Heresies, Book III, ch. 2.

By documenting a clear succession of appointments of church leaders, later generations would use that as a justification for the authority of the pope.  Pointing to church tradition was fine for the doctrinal points that the church got right, but as the church accepted unbiblical practices, tradition became a justification for ignoring scripture and elevating the decisions of church leaders above all else.

Polycarp

Polycarp (69 AD - 155 AD) was Bishop of Smyrna, a student of the Apostle John, and a younger contemporary of Ignatius.  He was martyred at an old age by burning at the stake, but when the flames failed to touch him, he was stabbed to death.

Polycarp was a recipient of one of Ignatius' letters that he wrote on his way to his execution.  Ignatius refers to Polycarp in his letter to the church in Smyrna as "your most worthy bishop."

Church icon from St. Polycarp's Roman Catholic Church
 in Izmir, Turkey (ancient Smyrna).  Photo by P. Vasiliadis.

Iranaeus records that Polycarp visited Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome, to discuss areas of difference between that church and the chruches in Asia Minor.  They came to agreement on some issues, but agreed to disagree on the exact dating of Easter.

Only a single document of Polycarp exists, his Letter to the Philippians.  He does not give himself a title, but refers to the elders with him.  He gives character requirements for both deacons and elders.  He refers to Paul and the letter he wrote to the Philippians.  He also mentions Ignatius and his letters, and encourages the Philippians to read them, "for they comprise faith and endurance and every kind of edification, which pertaineth unto our Lord."

According to Iranaeus, Polycarp fought against the false teachings of the Marcionites and converted many followers of that teaching when he visited Rome.  In his letter, Polycarp affirms Jesus' coming in the flesh, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, each of which were denied by various heresies.

It seems Polycarp was not as well-educated as other early church fathers.  However, that did not seem to slow him in his efforts to teach true doctrine.
"For I am persuaded that ye are well trained in the sacred writings, and nothing is hidden from you.  But to myself this is not granted."  Letter to the Philippians, ch. 12.

Polycarp's connection to the Apostle John gave him an authority in his teaching against heresies that helped stabilize the early church and move it forward.

Ignatius

Ignatius (~35 AD - 107 AD) was Bishop of Antioch in Syria.  He was likely a student of the Apostle John, along with his friend Polycarp who was Bishop of Smyrna.  Ignatius was arrested and escorted by soldiers to Rome to be executed by wild beasts in the arena.  Along the way, he wrote 6 letters to churches and one letter to Polycarp.

Martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch

While writing only about a decade after Clement, Ignatius' views on a number of issues are clearly diverging from what is found in the New Testament.

One area of difference is communion, or the eucharist.  Ignatius considers the bread to be the flesh of Jesus Christ, rather than just a symbol of Jesus' body.  It seems this position came out of his desire to correct a growing heresy that Jesus had not really risen from the dead with a physical body.  Regarding heretics, he says:
"They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ."  Letter to the Smyrnaeans ch. 7

Another first we see in Ignatius' writings is the term "Catholic Church."  Catholic in Greek simply means whole, complete, or universal.  It was a generic term at the time and it seems that Ignatius intended to distinguish the majority of the churches (catholic) from the few that were following clearly heretical teaching.

The most significant change from the New Testament model is found in Ignatius' description of church leadership.  Unlike Clement, Ignatius treats bishops (i.e. overseers) and elders as separate roles in the church, with a lone bishop being in authority over the elders.  He equates the bishop with God the Father, and the elders with the Apostles, and teaches absolute obedience to the bishop as one would give to God.  In terms of church life, the bishop was the only one permitted to authorize baptisms and perform the Eucharist.  In his letter to Polycarp, he even says that people who marry should do so with the approval of the bishop.  Note that in the quotes below that "presbytery" is synonymous with "elders."
"I salute your most worthy bishop, and your very venerable presbytery, and your deacons, my fellow-servants, and all of you individually."  Letter to the Smyrnaeans, ch. 12.
"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God.  Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the Bishop.  Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it.  Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.  It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid."  Letter to the Smyrnaeans, ch. 8.
"... your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles, along with your deacons."  Letter to the Magnesians, ch. 6.
"It is well to reverence both God and the bishop.  He who honours the bishop has been honoured by God; he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop, does serve the devil."  Letter to the Smyrnaeans, ch. 9.

It is not entirely clear how this new office of bishop was instituted, but it clearly was not just an anomaly in Antioch.   In his letter to the Ephesians, he states that bishops "settled everywhere to the utmost bounds" of the earth.  He also specifically mentions the bishop of Smyrna (Polycarp) and the bishop of Ephesus (Onesimus).  Clearly this practice of having a single bishop over the elders of a church had become widespread in a very short period of time after Clement.

Despite his pleas to the churches to obey their bishop, Ignatius is not simply power hungry.  He comes across as a gracious, Godly man in his tone and words.
"I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person.  For though I am bound for the name [of Christ], I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ."  Letter to the Ephesians, ch. 3.

Ignatius' writings show how the early church was quickly adopting a new organizational structure to deal with the heresies that were creeping into the churches.  It seems to have been an intentional change, borne out of good motives to solve a very real and serious problem. However, the consequences would turn out to be severely detrimental in the years that followed.

Error in The Pilgrim Church Book

Broadbent attributes a misuse of Acts 20:17 to Ignatius.
"Commenting on Acts 20, he says that Paul sent from Miletus to Ephesus and called the bishops and presbyters, thus making two titles out of one description, and says that they were from Ephesus and neighboring cities, thus obscuring the fact that one church, Ephesus, had several overseers or bishops." p. 32

After reviewing all of Ignatius' writings, I could find no such reference to Acts 20.  I tracked down Broadbent's source, a book by Henry Alford entitled The Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary.  In Vol. 2, p. 227, Alford does describe this exact misuse of Acts 20, but attributes it to Irenaeus rather than Ignatius.  Problem solved!

Clement

Clement (~30 AD - ~100 AD) is also known as Saint Clement of Rome or Pope Clement I, although there was certainly no office of Pope in his lifetime.  He was a bishop (i.e. overseer) in the church at Rome, and Roman Catholic tradition says he was appointed by the Apostle Peter himself and is the same Clement that is mentioned in Philippians 4:3.  (I find the latter point doubtful, but no one knows for sure.)  He was banished by the Emperor Trajan to Crimea in the Ukraine to work in a stone quarry and was most likely martyred there.

He is known mainly for his letter to the church in Corinth, known as 1 Clement or the Epistle of Clement.  It was written in the mid-90's AD and is probably the oldest document from the early church that was not included in the New Testament.  In it, he apologizes for being tardy in addressing a dispute in the Corinthian church due to "sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us," presumably referring to persecution that occurred under the Emperor Domitian.  He also refers to the deaths of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and mentions that Paul "reached the farthest bounds in the West" (1 Clem 5:6), apparently confirming that Paul completed his planned journey to Spain (Rom. 15:24, 28).

The issue in the Corinthian church was the removal of some elders, and Clement rebukes the people in the church who did this.  Apparently it was not due to any sin on the part of the leaders, but "for the sake of one or two persons." (1 Clem. 47:6)

Clement uses the terms "elders" and "overseers" interchangeably, just as they are used in the New Testament, and he refers to the leaders of the Corinthian church in the plural.  He also mentions "deacons" as serving the overseers/elders.  There is no sense that Clement considered himself to have any authority over the Corinthian church and he gives himself no title in the epistle.  Despite the Roman Catholic church assigning him the title "Bishop of Rome" centuries later, there is no evidence anyone called him that during his lifetime.  He writes as a brother who is on an equal footing with a fellow church.
"These things, dearly beloved, we write, not only as admonishing you, but also as putting ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same lists, and the same contest awaiteth us."  1 Clem 7:1

There is a passage in this epistle used by the Roman Catholic church to affirm the succession of the popes beginning with Peter.  Clement says:
"And our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the name of the bishop's office.  For this cause therefore, having received complete foreknowledge, they appointed the aforesaid persons, and afterwards they provided a continuance, that if these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed to their ministration. Those therefore who were appointed by them, or afterward by other men of repute with the consent of the whole Church, and have ministered unblamably to the flock of Christ in lowliness of mind, peacefully and with all modesty, and for long time have borne a good report with all these men we consider to be unjustly thrust out from their ministration."  1 Clem 44:1-2

From the context of the epistle, it is clear that Clement is simply saying that the overseers who were appointed by the original Apostles were expected to be replaced when they died.  It's also interesting to see leaders were appointed "with the consent of the whole Church" and not by a single leader in authority over that church.

From my reading of the epistle, Clement's main arguments why the Corinthian church should not have deposed its overseers are:

1. They were appointed by the Apostles and the church should not overrule the decisions of the Apostles, as they were appointed by Jesus Christ personally.  I already quoted 1 Clem. 44:2 above, and 1 Clem. 42:4 says in regards to the Apostles:
   
   "So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their firstfruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe." 
   
   
2. The authority structure in the church is rooted in the Old Testament, and should not be challenged.  Clement quotes Isaiah 60:17 when he says:
   "And this they did in no new fashion; for indeed it had been written concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient times; for thus saith the scripture in a certain place, I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith."  1 Clem. 42:5
   Note that Isaiah 60:17 (NIV) actually says, "I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler."  Clement also refers to God's choice of Aaron as priest (1 Clem 43), implying the absolute and life-long nature of the office. 

The key point that Clement's epistle demonstrates is that immediately after the New Testament is closed, the churches appear to be operating using the model of leadership outlined in the New Testament itself, namely plurality of elders/overseers and each church operating under its own autonomy but in relationship to neighbouring churches and leaders.  However, as Broadbent notes: "Yet even here the beginning of a distinction between clergy and laity is already evident, drawn from Old Testament ordinances." (The Pilgrim Church, p. 31)  The change in perspective is subtle, but these seeds of basing the authority of church leaders on Old Testament models and of the establishment of an hierarchical model of church authority would produce a lot of problems in the years that followed.

Introduction to The Pilgrim Church

Edmund Hamer Broadbent (1861-1945) was a businessman and missionary from England who toured many countries in his lifetime, encouraging the Christians that he met along the way.  As he read the Bible as a young man, he desired a New Testament model of church life rather than the denominational models that were (and still are) prevalent.  As he traveled and read, he discovered many different groups of believers throughout history who attempted to achieve the same goal -- a model of church true to the New Testament standard laid out in the Bible.

His research was published in 1931 in the book The Pilgrim Church.  It is back in print again, and you can purchase it through the publisher's official website, thepilgrimchurch.com.

I took church history in Bible college, but I never learned church history the way Broadbent presents it.  I have found it to be absolutely fascinating.

I want this blog to be a place where I can take the people, movements, and topics in this book and pursue my own research and tangents wherever I want to take them.  It is not meant to be a book review but rather a book expansion.