I am taking a class on Patristic Theology, which is about the theology of the early Christians. I have a lot of reading for this class from the original ancient sources, and they are very fascinating. I have decided to try to share on this blog important passages as I run across them in my reading, hoping to benefit others as well as aid in my own learning process.

The first passage I want to share is from St. Clement’s letter to the Corinthians, written in 96 or 97 AD. It is the oldest extant work of Christian literature, apart from the biblical writings. Clement was the 3rd bishop of Rome after St. Peter, and he is writing to Corinth because of a schism that has happened in that Church. I am impressed by the following chapter, 42, because it is an indication of the early concept of Holy Orders and Apostolic Succession which is the backbone of authority in the Church. You can see the entire epistle at Early Christian Writings or New Advent Encyclopedia.

The apostles have preached the gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ [has done so] from God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus says the Scripture in a certain place, “I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.” (1 Clement 42)

Clement goes on in chapter 43 to retell the story of how in the time of Moses, the authority of the high priest, Aaron, was challenged by others, and God performed a miracle with Aaron’s staff to indicate he was the chosen one. Clement says this was done “that there might be no sedition in Israel“. Established authority is necessary for unity, so Clement tells the Corinthians what is the basis of proper authority in the Church in order to heal the split.

In Chapter 44, he says “Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry.” He goes on to say that it is wrong to remove a bishop from his office who is rightly performing the role, which is what had been attempted in Corinth. One thing to note here is that “bishop” and “presbyter” are used interchangeably. It will be over a decade later before we see writings that indicate the separate orders of bishop and presbyter (priest) that we have today.