Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

366 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

IV. Conclusion

It is within the power of all, therefore, in every church, who may wish to see the truth, to contemplate clearly the tradition of the apostles manifested throughout the whole world. And we are in a position to reckon up those who were by the apostles instituted bishops in the churches, and the succession of these men to our own times. . . . For if the apostles had known hidden mysteries . . . they would have delivered them especially to those to whom they were also committing the churches themselves. For they were desirous that these men should be very perfect and blameless in all things, whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men. • The apostolic tradition was the yardstick and plumbline of authentic faith, genuine Christian love, and authentic demonstration of Christian hope in the church’s faith and practice. • Valid church planting movements will all build upon, acknowledge and defend the apostolic tradition, expressed in the Great Tradition, and embodied in various worship communities which hold to the teaching of Christ faithfully and strongly, 2 Thess. 2.15 – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. • Valid Christian faith cannot be wholly individualized; Christianity is a communitarian hope. ~ Irenaeus (circa 180, E/W), 1.415.