Traditionally referred to as the writings of the Early Church Fathers, these documents are not inspired Scripture,
but historical Christian writings from the era immediately following the composition of the New Testament. As such, they provide us a unique insight into the beliefs and practices of the Apostolic Church. The earliest texts, in fact, come down to us from believers who either learned from the Apostles directly (such as Clement, Ignatius, Papias, and Polycarp) or from those who had known them (such as Justin, Theophilus, and Irenaeus). These writings are invaluable in discussions over the correct interpretation of Scripture as they reveal to us the way in which those nearest to the Apostles read and understood the Bible. The sections below will focus exclusively on writings from the 1st through the 3rd centuries.
ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
— Apostolic Succession —
42:3-4 Receiving their instructions and being full of confidence on account of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and confirmed in faith by the word of God, they [i.e., the Apostles] went forth in the complete assurance of the Holy Spirit, preaching the good news that the Kingdom of God is coming. Through countryside and city they preached; and they appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers. …
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
— Trinitarian formula; effusion or pouring (Infant Baptism) —
7:1-4 In regard to Baptism—baptize thus: After the foregoing instructions, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19), in living water [i.e., a flowing stream]. If you have no living water, then baptize in other water [i.e., a lake or pool]; and if you are not able in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Before the Baptism, let the one ...
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ca. 107 A.D., Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Disciple of the Apostle John, Letter to Saint Polycarp
5:1-2 Flee from base practices, but preach more against them: Speak to my sisters that they love the Lord, and be content with their husbands in body and in soul. In like manner, exhort my brothers in the name of Jesus Christ to love their wives as the Lord loved the Church (Eph. 5:25). If anyone is able to remain continent, to the honor of the flesh of the Lord, let him so remain without boasting. If he boast about it, he is lost; and if he be more esteemed than the ...
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ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
58:2 Accept our counsel [i.e., the counsel of the Church of Rome] and you will have nothing to regret. For as God lives, and as the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and the Holy Spirit, and the faith and hope of the elect, as surely will he that humbly and with equanimity and without regret carries out the commandments and precepts given by God, be enrolled and chosen among the number of those who are being saved through Jesus Christ, through whom there is glory to Him …
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
— Necessity of Baptism to receive —
9:1-5 In regard to the Eucharist — you shall give thanks thus: First, in regard to the cup: — We give you thanks, our Father, for the holy vine of David your son, which you have made known to us through Jesus your Son. Glory be to you forever. In regard to the broken bread: — We give you thanks our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus your Son. Glory be to you forever. As this broken bread was scattered on the mountains, but ...
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then baptize in running water, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19) (7:1). ...
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ca. 107 A.D., Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Disciple of the Apostle John, Letter to the Ephesians
— Virginity before birth —
19:1 The virginity of Mary, her giving birth, and also the death of the Lord, were hidden from the prince of this world:—three mysteries loudly proclaimed, but wrought in the silence of God. ...
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
— Contraception; abortion —
2:2 You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not use potions [Greek, pharmakeia; i.e., oral contraceptives]. You shall not procure abortion, nor destroy a new-born child. ...
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ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
— Primacy of Rome —
1:1 Owing to the sudden and repeated calamities and misfortunes which have befallen us, we [i.e., the Church of Rome] must acknowledge that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the matters in dispute among you, beloved … .
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
4 In church, make confession of your faults, and do not come to your prayers with a bad conscience. ...
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ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
40:1-5 We are bound to do in an orderly fashion all that the Master has bidden us to do at the proper times he set. He ordered sacrifices [i.e., the Eucharist] and services [i.e., the Liturgy] to be performed; and required this to be done, not in a careless and disorderly way, but at the times and seasons he fixed. Where he wants them performed, and by whom, he himself fixed by his supreme will, so that everything should be done in a holy way and with his approval, and should ...
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ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
— Indulgences (vicarious atonement) —
53:5 O great love! O unsurpassed perfection! The servant [Moses] speaks openly to his Lord. He begs pardon for his people or requests that he too will be wiped out along with them (Ex. 32:31-32). …
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ca. 96 A.D., Pope Saint Clement, fourth Bishop of Rome, disciple of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Letter to the Corinthians
46:1-5 Brothers, we must follow such examples. For it is written: “Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints” (unknown source). Again, it says in another place: “In the company of the innocent, you will be innocent; in the company of the elect, you will be elect; and in a crooked man’s company you will go wrong” (Ps. 18:26-27). Let us, then, follow the innocent and the upright. They, it is, who are God’s elect. …
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ca. 70 A.D., Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
— Justification by Faith Alone?/necessity of good works; Eternal Security?/necessity of perseverance —
16:1-2 “Watch” over your life: do not let “your lamps” go out, and do not keep “your loins ungirded”; but “be ready,” for “you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42, 44; Luke 12:35) Meet together frequently in your search for what is good for your souls, since “a lifetime of faith will be of no advantage” (Letter of Barnabas 4:9) to you unless you prove perfect at the very last. ...
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