First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Honoring Leaders I gnatius to the M agnesians 3: Now it is not proper that you treat your bishop disrespectfully on account of his youth, but give him all respect having regard for the power of God the Father. I know even your saintly elders do not hastily judge by his obvious youthful appearance. But as being themselves sensible in God, they submit to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of Jesus Christ who is the bishop of us all. It is therefore fitting that you should, without hypocrisy, submit in honor of Him who has willed it since he who does not do so deceives not the bishop who is visible, but seeks to mock Him who is invisible. And all such behavior is not fitting in the flesh, for God knows all secrets. I gnatius to the M agnesians 4: It is fitting, then, not simply to be called Christians, but to actually be so, as some indeed give one the title of bishop, but do all things without him. Now it seems to me that such persons do not have a good conscience, seeing they are not consistently gathering together according to the commandment. I gnatius to the T rallians 2–3: For since you are subject to the bishop as to Jesus Christ, it is apparent to me that you live not after the manner of people but according to Jesus Christ. He died for us in order that by believing in His death, you may escape from death. Therefore, it is necessary that, as you already do, you should not conduct activity without the bishop. You should also be subject to the elders as to the apostles of Jesus Christ our hope. In Him we will be found if we live accordingly. It is fitting also that the deacons of the mysteries of Jesus Christ should in every respect be pleasing to all. For they are not ministers of food and drink, but ministers of the church