parresia

ignatius quotes

Wisdom from the first century: Ignatius (A.D. 30-107)

Having the written testimony of contemporaries of Christ and the Apostles is an invaluable blessing to posterity for it gives us a glimpse into the faith and practices of the Apostles themselves. Ignatius was a young child around the time of Christ's three-year ministry. During his adult years Ignatius was a disciple under John the Apostle. It is reasonable to believe that he and fellow disciple Polycarp were intimate friends with John the Apostle for well over twenty years.

In the quotes below consider how closely Ignatius ties Christianity to being within the Church, as opposed to merely believing in correct doctrine. Notice also how pointedly Ignatius remarks concerning the role and importance of the Bishop. (The following quotations are taken from some of the seven letters that Ignatius wrote to various churches. These are available in the first volume of the Ante-Nicene Fathers.)

“Wherefore, as children of light and truth, flee from division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves that appear worthy of credit, who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place. Keep yourselves from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father…For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the Bishop. And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.”

“Do not err, my brethren. If any man follows him that makes a schism in the Church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If any one walks according to a heretical opinion, he agrees not with the passion of Christ. Take ye heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to show forth the unity of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever ye do, ye may do it according to the will of God.”

“Now the more any one sees the bishop keeping silence, the more ought he to receive him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household, as we would do Him that sent him. If is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself.”

“In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the Sanhedrim of God, and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church.”

Holy God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance.

Posted by jeremy stock at June 5, 2003 09:10 PM