Pastor Steve Paulus |
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Patristics Part Two
Excursus: The Breakdown of Judaism Developments in the Post Apostolic Church The Schism between Orthodoxy and Catholicism
II. Developments in the Post-Apostolic Church
A. Apostolic Fathers Definition: Apostolic Fathers knew the apostles or their immediate successors. Their writings reflect circumstances, teachings, and beliefs of the early church in the generation following the death of the apostles. They may echo the teachings of the apostles themselves. Their writings are valuable to fill in gaps in information immediately following the time of the apostles.
1. Clement of Rome (bishop, 92-101 ): According to Irenaus (Quasten,p. 42) the third successor of Peter at Rome. Also cited by Hegesippus and Eusebius as fourth bishop of Rome (Hamell, p.26), but this is disputed. He is possibly a Jewish disciple of the apostles. In unconfirmed tradition a martyr and related to proconsul Flavians. Possibly mentioned in Philippians 4:3.
His most significant written work is the Epistle to the Corinthians. The work written to resolve a dispute within the leadership of the Corinthian church, carries specific theological implications.
Primacy of Rome: (p.13. 1) By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat tardy in giving heed to the matters of dispute that have arisen among you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and unholy sedition, so alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men hath been greatly reviled (P. 13).
Apostolic Succession (p. 32. 44)
And the 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 afterward 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 with lowliness of mind, peaceably and with all modesty, and for long time have born a good report with all -- these men we consider to be unjustly thrown out from their ministration (Lightfoot, p. 32).
2. Ignatius of Antioch (Theophorus) (?-107): Possibly the third bishop of Antioch. Eusebius lists him as second. "On the death of Evodius, who was the first bishop of Antioch, Ignatius was appointed the second"(Eusebius, p. 104). He was summoned to Rome under Trajan (98-117) and there exposed to wild beasts and martyred. His Works include seven letters. On this journey he wrote seven letters. He stayed at Smyrna with Polycarp and wrote four letters (Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome), from Troas he wrote three others (To Philadelphia, Smyrna and a personal letter to Polycarp).
Theological Implications:
Monarchical episcopate: I advise you, be zealous to do all things in godly concord, the bishop presiding after the likeness of God, and the presbyters after the likeness of the council of the Apostles with the deacons who are most dear to me ... Let there be nothing among you which shall have power to divide you, but be ye united with the bishop and with them that preside over you as an ensample and a lesson of incorruptibility. Therefore, as the Lord did nothing without the Father ... so neither do ye anything without the bishop and the presbyters (Lightfoot, Magnesians, p.70). For when you are obedient to the bishop as to Jesus Christ ... that ye should do nothing without the bishop; but be ye obedient also to the presbytery as to the Apostles of Jesus Christ our hope... In like manner let all men respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, even as they should respect the bishop as being a type of the Father and the presbyters as the council of God and as the college of the Apostles. Apart from these three is not even the name of a church. (Lightfoot, Trallians, p. 73). I spake with a loud voice, with God's own voice, Give ye heed to the bishop and the Presbytery and the deacons (Philadelphians, p.80-1).
Primacy of Rome (p. 75. intro.) "To the church that is beloved and enlightened through the will of him who willed all things that are...even unto her that hath the presidency of the country of the region of the Romans., being worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of felicitation, worthy of praise, worthy of success, worthy in purity, and having the presidency of love ... (Lightfoot, Romans, p. 75-6).
All of these early bishops addressed questions of heresy in their writings. Ignatius is no exception. He writes against Docetism and Judaizers (p. 82. 2-3; p. 70. 8). Cerinthus taught that a Christ spirit descended on Jesus and later left him. To counter this Ignatius taught,
He suffered truly, as also He raised Himself truly; not as certain unbelievers say, that He suffered in semblance, being themselves mere semblance. And according as their opinions are, so shall it happen to them, for they are without body and demon-like... For if these things were done by our Lord in semblance, then am I also a prisoner in semblance... For what profit is it to me , if a man praiseth me, but blasphemeth my Lord, not confessing that he was a bearer of flesh? ..if they believe not in the blood of Christ (who is God), judgment awaiteth them also." (Smyrnaeans, p. 83). "For if even unto this day, we live after the manner of Judaism, we avow that we have not received grace... (Magnesians, p.70).
Revelation as a martyr ( p. 73. 4-5). One of the developments of early church belief is the special role of the martyr in the life of the faithful. I have many deep thoughts in God; but I take the measure of myself, lest I perish in my boasting. .. For though I desire to suffer, yet I know not whether I am worthy; for the envy of the devil is unseen indeed by many, but against me it wages the fiercer war... For I myself also, albeit I am in bonds and can comprehend heavenly things and the arrays of the angels and the musterings of the principalities, things visible and things invisible -- I myself am not yet by reason of this a Disciple.(Traillians, p. 73).
3. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (70?-156 ): Was probably a hearer of the apostle John, and appointed to his see by the apostles (Irenaus via Eusebius, Quasten, p. 76).
Writings and hagiography. - Letter to the Philippians (c.110-120) - Letter of the Smyrnaeans to Philomelium on the Martyrdom of Polycarp written shortly after his death as a martyr.
a. Description of Polycarp's Martyrdom But as Polycarp entered the stadium, there came a voice from heaven: 'Be strong Polycarp, act like a man.' And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And then, as he was brought forward, there was a great tumult, when they heard that Polycarp had been arrested. Therefore when he was brought before him, the proconsul asked if he were Polycarp. And when he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to recant, saying, 'Have respect for your age,' and other such things as they are accustomed to say: 'Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent; say, 'Away with the atheists!' Polycarp looked solemnly at the whole crowd of lawless heathen who were in the stadium, motioned toward them with his hand, and then (groaning as he looked up to heaven) said, 'Away with the atheists!' But when the magistrate persisted and said, 'Swear by the oath , and I will release you; revile Christ,' Polycarp replied, 'For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?' " (Section 9)
So the proconsul said: 'I have wild beasts; I will throw you to them, unless you change your mind.' But he said, ' Call for them! For the repentance from better to worse is a change impossible for us; but it is a noble thing to change from that which is evil to righteousness.' The he said to him again: 'I will have you consumed by fire, since you despise the wild beasts, unless you change your mind.' But Polycarp said: 'You threaten with a fire that burns only briefly and after just a little while is extinguished, for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what you wish' (Section 11).
When he offered up the 'Amen' and finished his prayer, the men in charge lit the fire. And as a mighty flame blazed up, we saw a miracle (we, that is, to whom it was given to see), and we have been preserved in order that we might tell the rest what happened. For the fire taking the shape of an arch like the sail of a ship filled by the wind, completely surrounded the body of the martyr; and it was there in the middle, not like flesh burning but like bread baking or like gold and silver being refined in a furnace. For we also perceived a very fragrant odor, as if it were the scent of incense or some other precious spice (Section 15).
The centurion, therefore, seeing the opposition raised by the Jews, set it in the middle and cremated it, as is their custom. And so, later on we took up his bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and deposited them in a suitable place. There gathering together as we are able, with joy and gladness, the Lord will permit us to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom in commemoration of those who have already fought in the contest, and for the training and preparation of those who will do so in the future (Section 18).
b. Theological implications:
Evidence of rise of celibacy as a practice of the church. "Our widows must be sober-minded as touching the faith of the Lord, making intercession without ceasing for all men, abstaining from all calumny, evil speaking, false witness, love of money and every evil thing, knowing that they are God's altar.." (Polycarp to the Philippines, p. 96).
Seeking martyrdom, " He it was (Quintus, the Phrygian) who had forced himself and others to come forward of their own free will. This man the proconsul by much entreaty persuaded to swear the oath and offer incense. For this cause therefore, brethren, we praise not those who deliver themselves up, since the Gospel doth not so teach us." (To the Smyrnaeans,p. 110).
Celebration of his martyrdom (p.115.18).
"And so we afterwards took up his bones which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place; where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are able, in gladness and joy, and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom for the commemoration of those that have already fought in the contest, and for the training and preparation of those that shall do so hereafter." (To the Smyrnaeans, p. 115).
Discussion Question: What in your culture resembles this commemoration of Polycarp's death (martyrdom)?
4. Papias of Hierapolis ( writing 130): A hearer of St. John and a friend of Polycarp.
Fragments preserved in Eusebius. “Explanations of the Sayings of the Lord.” Witness to Mark as author of Peter’s gospel. A Hebrew edition of Matthew. A second John, called Elder John The millennium. (p. 264-265, 269).
"And again, on any occasion when a person came (in my way) who had been a follower of the Elders, I would inquire about the discourses of the elders -- what was said by Andrew, or by Peter, or by Philip, or by Thomas or by James, or by John or Matthew or any other of the Lord's disciples, and what Aristion and the Elder John, the disciples of the Lord, say. For I did not think that I could get so much profit from the contents of books as from the utterances of a living and abiding voice...
"And the elder said this also: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately everything that he remembered, without however recording in order what was either said or done by Christ. For neither did he hear the Lord, nor did he follow Him; But afterwards, as I said, (attended) Peter, who adapted his instructions to the needs (of his hearers) but had no design of giving a connected account of the Lord's oracles... So then Matthew composed the oracles in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as he could." (Fragments of Papias, Lightfoot, p. 264-5).
"The days will come , in which vines shall grow, each having ten thousand shoots, and on each shoot ten thousand branches, and on each branch again ten thousand twigs, and on each twig ten thousand clusters, and on each cluster ten thousand grapes, and each grape when pressed shall yield five and twenty measures of wine"(Fragments, p.265).
B. Summary of Important Doctrinal Developments in the Post-Apostolic Period
To summarize, several doctrines began to develop in this era which greatly influenced the later practices of the church. They are the doctrine of apostolic succession, the doctrine of a three-tiered ministry, the primary role of the local bishop which protected the unity and doctrinal purity of the church, and the special place of martyrs and martyrdom in the church. This included commemorating the anniversary of the martyr’s death. Also, the recognition of the special place of widows in the church will develop into a broader theme in later periods..
Sources:
Kevin Donovan, “The Sanctoral, ” The Study of Liturgy, in Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, and Edward Yarnold, eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 1978, p. 420-431. Hamell, p. 26-31.
J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, rpt. 1891, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1956.
Quasten, vol. I, p. 40-85.
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Pastor P. Steve Paulus D.min. ~ pastor@stauntongrace.org
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