I. Definition, function, and importance
II. Church at Antioch
III. Church at Corinth
IV. Church at Ephesus
V. Church at Philippi
VI. Church at Rome
I. Definition, function, and importance
For how does the case stand? Suppose there arises a dispute relative to some important question among us? Should we not have recourse to the most ancient churches with which the apostles had constant communication? Should we not learn from them what is certain and clear in regard to the question at hand? For how would it be if the apostles themselves had not left us writings? Would it not be necessary to follow the course of the tradition that they handed down to those to whom they did commit the churches? To which course, many nations of those barbarians who believe in Christ do agree. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.417
[The apostles] founded churches in every city, from which all the other churches—one after another—derived the tradition of the faith, and the seeds of doctrine. In fact, they are every day deriving them, so that they may become churches. Indeed, it is only on this account that they will be able to deem themselves apostolic—as being the offspring of apostolic churches. . . . Therefore, although the churches are so many and so great, they comprise but the one primitive church of the apostles. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.252
Let the heretics contrive something of the same kind [i.e., a list of episcopal succession back to the apostles]. . . . However, even if they were to produce such a contrivance, they will not advance even one step. For when their very doctrine is compared with that of the apostles, its own diversity and discrepancy proves that it had neither an apostle nor an apostolic man for its authorship. . . . The heretics will be put to this test by those churches, who, although they do not have as their founder the apostles or apostolic men (as being of much later date, for churches are in fact being founded daily), yet, since they agree in the same faith, they are considered to be no less apostolic because they are alike in doctrine. Therefore, let all the heresies, when challenged to these two tests [i.e., episcopal succession and apostolic doctrine] by our apostolic church, offer their proof of how they consider themselves to be apostolic. . . . They are not admitted to peaceful relations and communion by the churches that are in any way connected with the apostles. For the heretics are in no sense themselves apostolic because of their diversity as to the mysteries of the faith. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.258
Run over the apostolic churches, in which the very chairs of the apostles are still pre-eminent in their places, in which their own authentic writings are read. . . . Achaia is very near you, where you find Corinth. Since you are not far from Macedonia, you have Philippi. You also have the Thessalonians. Since you are able to cross to Asia, you have Ephesus, as well. Finally, since you are close to Italy, you have Rome, from which there comes even into our own hands [i.e., in Carthage] the very authority [of the apostles]. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.260
No other teaching will have the right of being received as apostolic than that which is at the present day proclaimed in the churches of apostolic foundation. You will, however, find no church of apostolic origin other than those who place their Christian faith in the Creator. But if the churches can be proved to have been corrupt from the beginning, where will the pure ones be found? Will it be among the adversaries of the Creator? Show us, then, one of your churches that can trace its descent from an apostle, and you will have gained the day. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 3.286
If that [doctrine] has existed from the beginning which has the apostles for its authors, then it will certainly be quite evident that [the doctrine] which comes down from the apostles is that which has been kept as a sacred deposit in the churches of the apostles. Let us see what milk the Corinthians drank from Paul. Let us see to what rule of faith the Galatians were brought for correction. Let us see what the Philippians, the Thessalonians, and the Ephesians read. What utterance also do the Romans give, so very near [to Carthage], to whom Peter and Paul jointly bequeathed the Gospel, even sealing it with their own blood. We have also John’s foster churches. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 3.349, 350
In the same manner, the excellent source of the other churches is recognized. I say, therefore, that the Gospel of Luke that we are defending with all our might has stood its ground from its very first publication in them. It has stood, not simply in those churches that were founded by apostles, but in all of the churches that are united with them in the fellowship of the mystery of the gospel of Christ. . . . The same authority of the apostolic churches will afford defense of the other Gospels also, which we possess equally through their means, and according to their usage. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 3.350
I have proposed [as models] those churches which were founded by apostles or apostolic men. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 4.28
II. Church at Antioch
The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26
Your prayer has reached to the church that is at Antioch in Syria. . . . Your church should elect some worthy delegate so that he, travelling to Syria, may congratulate them that they are at peace [from persecution] and are restored to their proper greatness. Ignatius (c. 105, E), 1.91
III. Church at Corinth
To the church of God which is at Corinth I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge. 1 Cor. 1:1, 4
The church of God that sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at Corinth. . . . What person has dwelled even for a short time among you, and did not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was firmly established? Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded knowledge? For you did all things without respect of persons, being obedient to those who had the rule over you. Clement of Rome (c. 96, W), 1.5
It is disgraceful, beloved, yes, highly disgraceful, and unworthy of your Christian profession, that such a thing should be heard of as that the most steadfast and ancient church of the Corinthians should . . . engage in sedition against its presbyters. Clement of Rome (c. 96, W)
. . . the churches that were planted by Peter and Paul, that of the Romans and that of the Corinthians. For both Peter and Paul came to our Corinth, and taught us in the same way as they taught you. Dionysius of Corinth (c. 170), 8.765
In the time of this Clement, no small dissension occurred among the brethren at Corinth. So the church in Rome dispatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their faith, and declaring the tradition which it had lately received from the apostles. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.416
Likewise, the Corinthians themselves understood him in this manner. In fact, at this very day, the Corinthians do veil their virgins. What the apostles taught, their disciples approve. Tertullian (c. 207, W), 4.33
IV. Church at Ephesus
I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you. Eph. 1:15
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, . . . “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Rev. 2:1–4
. . . to the church that is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fullness of God the Father, and predestined before the beginning of time that it would have an enduring and unchangeable glory. Ignatius (c. 105, E), 1.49
The church in Ephesus was founded by Paul, and John remained among them permanently until the times of Trajan. It is a true witness of the tradition of the apostles. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/ W), 1.416
V. Church at Philippi
Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of God sojourning at Philippi: . . . I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ because you have followed the example of true love . . . and because the strong root of your faith (spoken of in days long gone by) endures even until now. Polycarp (c. 135, E), 1.33
If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry and shall be judged as one of the Gentiles. . . . However, I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you [Philippians], in the midst of whom the blessed Paul labored. In fact, you are commended in the beginning of his epistle. For he boasts of you among all those churches which alone then knew the Lord. Polycarp (c. 135, E), 1.35
VI. Church at Rome
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. . . . I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Rom. 1:1, 8
The church of God that sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at Corinth. . . . We have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us. Clement of Rome (c. 96, W), 1.5
. . . to the church that has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father and Jesus Christ, His Only-Begotten Son. To the church that is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him who wills all things, . . . which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love. Ignatius (c. 105, E), 1.73
For this has been your custom from the beginning, to do good to all the brethren in various ways, and to send resources to many churches which are in every city. You thus refreshed the poverty of the needy, and you granted subsidies to the brethren who are in the mines. Through the resources which you have sent from the beginning, you Romans keep up the custom of the Romans handed down by the fathers. Your blessed bishop Soter has not only preserved this custom, but he has added to it. For he sent a splendid gift to the saints, and he exhorted with blessed words those brethren who go up to Rome, as an affectionate father his children. Dionysius of Corinth (c. 170), 8.765
Therefore you also have by such admonition joined in close union the churches that were planted by Peter and Paul, that of the Romans and that of the Corinthians. For both Peter and Paul came to our Corinth, and taught us in the same way as they taught you when they went to Italy. And having taught you, they suffered martyrdom at the same time. Dionysius of Corinth (c. 170), 8.765
Since, however, it would be very tedious in such a volume as this to reckon up the successions of all the churches, we put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner (whether by an evil self-pleasing by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion), assemble in unauthorized meetings. [We do this] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul. We do this also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every church should agree with this church, on account of its pre-eminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere. For the apostolic tradition has been preserved continuously by those who exist everywhere. The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the church, committed into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate. Of this Linus, Paul makes mention in the epistles to Timothy. . . . And this is most abundant proof that there is one and the same vivifying faith, which has been preserved in the church from the apostles until now, and handed down in truth. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.415, 416
In the third place from the apostles, Clement was allotted the bishopric. This man, as he had seen the blessed apostles, and had been conversant with them, might be said to have the preaching of the apostles still echoing and their traditions before his eyes. Nor was he alone, for there were many still remaining who had received instructions from the apostles. In the time of this Clement, no small dissension occurred among the brethren at Corinth. The church in Rome dispatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their faith, and declaring the tradition which it had lately received from the apostles. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.416
But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the church in Smyrna. . . . He it was who, coming to Rome in the time of Anicetus, caused many to turn away from the aforesaid heretics to the church of God. Irenaeus (c. 180)
Run over the apostolic churches, in which the very chairs of the apostles are still pre-eminent in their places. . . . Since you are able to cross to Asia, you have Ephesus. Since, moreover, you are close to Italy, you have Rome, from which there comes even into our own hands [in Carthage] the very authority [of the apostles]. How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood! Here is where Peter endured a passion like his Lord’s. Here is where Paul won his crown in a death like John’s. Here is where the Apostle John was first plunged, unhurt, into boiling oil. From there, he was sent to his island of exile. See what she has learned, what she has taught, what fellowship has had with even churches in Africa. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.260
I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you choose to go to the Vatican or to the Ostian Road, you will find the trophies of those who founded this church. Eusebius, quoting Caius (c. 215, W), 5.601
Cyprian, to his brothers, the presbyters and deacons assembled at Rome, greeting. Cyprian (c. 250)
The presbyters and deacons abiding at Rome, to father Cyprian, greetings. Beloved brother, we carefully read your letter that you had sent by Fortunatus, the subdeacon. Letter from the Roman clergy to Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.307
This is read among us as the ancient rigor, the ancient faith, the ancient discipline. For the apostle would not have published such praise about us (when he said, “your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world”), unless that vigor had already borrowed the roots of faith from those times. And it is a very great crime to have become degenerate from such praise and glory. For it is less of a disgrace never to have attained to the heraldry of praise, than to have fallen from the height of praise. . . . It is less discredit to have lain without the announcement of virtues, to be lowly without praise, than to have lost our proper praises, being disinherited of the faith. For the things that are proclaimed to the glory of someone can puff him up into the odium of the greatest crime. So they must be maintained by anxious and careful pains. Letter from the Roman clergy to Cyprian (c. 250)
From her greatness, Rome plainly should take precedence over Carthage. Therefore, he therefore committed still greater and graver crimes. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.325
They still dare . . . to set sail and to bear letters from schismatic and profane persons to the chair of Peter and to the chief church from which priestly unity takes its source! They forget that these were the Romans whose faith was praised in the preaching of the apostle, to whom faithlessness could have no access. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.344