Influence of Ignatius

How much influence has Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35 - 107) had on how church has been structured for the past 2000 years?  Taking a look at church history can help us understand aspects of who we are today.  Ignatius of Antioch is considered one of the apostolic fathers, a leader of the early church believed to be a student of John the apostle.  He died a martyr in the Colosseum of Rome.

From what I've read his views on the office of bishop were not held in most other towns and cities during his life.  But over time the church across the Roman empire did adopt many of his beliefs.

So for the sake of understanding history here are quotes from Ignatius. 

"It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself."
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-roberts.html

"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord's might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be secure and valid."
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-longer.html 

"He who honours the bishop has been honoured by God; he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop, does [in reality] serve the devil."

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-longer.html

"Honour thou God indeed, as the Author and Lord of all things, but the bishop as the high-priest, who bears the image of God-of God. inasmuch as he is a ruler, and of Christ, in his capacity of a priest. After Him, we must also honour the king. For there is no one superior to God, or even like to Him, among all the beings that exist. Nor is there any one in the Church greater than the bishop, who ministers as a priest to God for the salvation of the whole world. "
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-longer.html
  

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Do you agree with these quotes?

Try substituting the terms bishop, presbytery, deacons with terms like pastor, elders, and ministry leaders. Does this help us understand how we got to a place with church hierarchical leadership structures like we see today?

Related Posts:

• Church Hierarchical Leadership
• What Titles Did Early Church Leaders Use?
• Jesus on Leadership
• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

Unpatriotic Blasphemers and Traitors

Today is Canada Day for me.  I am celebrating by being a bright shade of red - a sunburn from a day at the beach yesterday.  Today we plan to hang out with some friends and go see some fireworks in the evening. South of our border Americans will celebrate in a few days in a similar way, but on a larger scale.

Some food for thought from Tertullian as we join these patriotic celebrations.

We are charged with being irreligious people and, what is more, irreligious in respect to the emperors since we refuse to pay religious homage to their imperial majesties and to their genius and refuse to swear by them. High treason is a crime of offense against the Roman religion. It is a crime of open irreligion, a raising of the hand to injure the deity ... Christians are considered to be enemies of the State ... we do not celebrate the festivals of the Caesars. Guards and informers bring up accusations against the Christians ... blasphemers and traitors ... we are charged with sacrilege and high treason ... we give testimony to the truth.
-Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 225 AD)

The Christians were considered irreligious in their response to the religion of Rome.  They did not worship the Caesar like the nation expected.  They refused to confess that Caesar was Lord.  This is what made them enemies of the state, and they were persecuted for this.

The kingdom that Christians pledged allegiance to was the kingdom of God.  They confessed that Jesus was Lord.

Here are a few more quotes:

I recognize no empire of this present age.
-Speratus, from "Acts of the Martyrs"

“I do not wish to be a ruler. I do not strive for wealth. I refuse offices connected with military command” - Tatian (c. 120–180)

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

So what do I think? You can quote me on these. :)

"I love the people in Canada, but my love for people sees no boundaries of politics or race."

"May God's kingdom come and God's will be done, here and now as it is in heaven."

Despise Titles of Honor

"They despise titles of honor and the purple robe of high government office..."

Who could this quote be speaking of?

No, it wasn't referring to the occupy movement. :)

Here is more of the quote:

Christians "form a rabble of profane conspiracy... They despise temples as if they were tombs... They despise titles of honor and the purple robe of high government office, though hardly able themselves to cover their nakedness. Just like a rank growth of weeds, the abominable haunts where this impious confederacy meet are multiplying all over the world. Root and branch, it should at all cost be exterminated and accursed. They love one another before being acquainted. They practice a cult of lust, calling one another brother and sister indiscriminately; under the cover of these hallowed names, fornication becomes incest." -Minucius Felix, a lawyer in Rome, before his conversion. AD 200

Interesting quote. Over the years things have changed. 

Would anyone say any of this about Christians today?

Who Can Baptize?

This is post #6 in a series on Baptism:

1. Baptism Questions - some questions I'd like to sort out
2. What Did Baptism Mean? - a look at how the Greek terms get used and translated in other literature
3. Baptism without Water - a look at baptism references that are not talking about water
4. Baptism and Culture -  It seems Christianity adopted a common custom of the time.
5. The Heart of Baptism - What is at the heart of this ritual 
6. Who Can Baptize? - Do we think Matt 28:18 - 20 is addressed only for the clergy? 
7. When Should Believers Be Baptized - At what age? At what level of maturity? 
8. Baptism With The Holy Spirit - comparing immersion with water and with the Holy Spirit 
9. Baptism Summary Thoughts

I came across a quote from John Calvin on this topic:

It is here also pertinent to observe, that it is improper for private individuals to take upon themselves the administration of baptism; for it, as well as the dispensation of the Supper, is part of the ministerial office. For Christ did not give command to any men or women whatever to baptise, but to those whom he had appointed apostles. And when, in the administration of the Supper, he ordered his disciples to do what they had seen him do (he having done the part of a legitimate dispenser), he doubtless meant that in this they should imitate his example.
(John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997). Institutes IV, xv, 20)

Do you agree with John Calvin on this?

Or do you think baptism falls under the responsibility of the priesthood of all believers?

Do you think Matt 28:18 - 20 is addressed only for the clergy?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18 - 20 NIV)

When we look at all the examples of baptism in the New Testament, are we confident they were all performed by ordained clergy?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Why a Christmas Tree?

Why do you have a Christmas tree inside your house?

I have an odd sense of humor. This one gets me chuckling at people. I think we are a funny lot. I think it's pretty random that at this time of year people put a fair bit of energy into getting either an evergreen tree, or a fake thing that looks like an evergreen tree and place it in a prominent place in their home.

Why a tree?

Why not a shepherds rod?

A simple stick could be placed in the center of our living room as a memory of the shepherds the good news was shared with. This could remind us that simple folk can also share the good news with others.

We could celebrate by dancing around the pole... OK, I digress.

Why not a feeding trough?

We could decorate a feeding trough with fake hay, and fake animal feed. This could remind us of the upside down nature of the kingdom of God. How our Majestic God chose a humble and dirty place for His coming to earth.

A feeding trough could also have a second meaning, symbolizing how we tend to act like gluttonous pigs during this season. No, maybe we don't want to celebrate our gluttony. I digress again....

Do we know why we put up a tree?

There may be a few origins to this tradition. I'll share a few findings I've come across. There may be many more.

Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23; most often, it is DEC-21. As the solstice approached, they noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm

Or this account of Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt:

"The Christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt it was the palm tree; in Rome it was the fir; the palm-tree denoting the Pagan Messiah, as Baal-Tamar, the fir referring to him as Baal-Berith. The mother of Adonis, the Sun-God and great mediatorial divinity, was mystically said to have been changed into a tree, and when in that state to have brought forth her divine son. If the mother was a tree, the son must have been recognized as ‘Man the Branch.’ And this entirely accounts for putting the Yule Log into the fire on Christmas Eve and the appearance of the Christmas tree the next morning. As Zero-Ashta, ‘The seed of the woman,’ ...he has to enter the fire on ‘Mother night,’ that he may be born the next day out of it, as the ‘Branch of God,’ or the Tree that brings divine gifts to men."
http://www.carnaval.com/saturnalia/

Later on in the 1500's

According to the first documented uses of a Christmas tree in Estonia, in 1441, 1442, and 1514, the Brotherhood of Blackheads erected a tree for the holidays in their brotherhood house in Reval (now Tallinn). At the last night of the celebrations leading up to the holidays, the tree was taken to the Town Hall Square where the members of the brotherhood danced around it.[9] In 1584, the pastor and chronicler Balthasar Russow wrote of an established tradition of setting up a decorated spruce at the market square where the young men “went with a flock of maidens and women, first sang and danced there and then set the tree aflame”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree

Oh, that sounds like fun. This year I'll dance around our Christmas tree, then set it on fire! That will make a great family memories video.... :)

Here is another account, linking it to a feast day of Adam and Eve:

The main prop of a popular medieval play about Adam and Eve was a fir tree hung with apples (paradise tree) representing the Garden of Eden. The Germans set up a paradise tree in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They hung wafers on it (symbolizing the host, the Christian sign of redemption); in a later tradition, the wafers were replaced by cookies of various shapes. Candles, too, were often added as the symbol of Christ. In the same room, during the Christmas season, was the Christmas pyramid, a triangular construction of wood, with shelves to hold Christmas figurines, decorated with evergreens, candles, and a star. By the 16th century, the Christmas pyramid and paradise tree had merged, becoming the Christmas tree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree

I just stumbled across this verse that isn't typically part of our Christmas readings. It seems related to an early pagan festival with a decorated tree:

"This is what the LORD says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them, for the customs of the peoples are worthless.
Someone cuts down a tree from the forest; it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel. He decorates it with silver and gold. It is fastened with hammer and nails, so it won’t totter." Jeremiah 10:2-4 (HCSB)

I'll include a link here: http://www.cogwriter.com/christmas.htm to some interesting quotes from Tertullian (one of the leading 2nd/3rd century church writers). He seemed to be against participating in the pagan winter celebrations.

We do have a (fake) Christmas tree up in our home. I'm not at a place where I'm zealous about getting rid of Christmas trees. I mostly just think it's funny how we all have them without thinking about why we have them.

Kinda like many other traditions we have in life and church life.

If you have a Christmas tree in your home, do you know why you have it? I'd love to hear more stories.


Related Posts:

• How Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas
• Original Meaning of Christmas
• Plugins Extensions and Add-ons and the Church

Let nothing be done without the bishop

This quote is from Ignatius of Antioch, the 3rd bishop of Antioch. Antioch was possibly the first city to form a monarchical episcopacy, where there was a single bishop at the top of a hierarchy of other church leaders.

Chapter VIII.—Let nothing be done without the bishop.

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid.

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord’s might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be secure and valid.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.v.vii.viii.html

Is this the source of what the modern 'church' still follows?

Can any believer baptize another? Can any believer host a love feast (if we knew what one was)?

We may not have a bishop... but have we transferred this leadership model to someone else?

So is Ignatius the one we want to follow on this?

Does this line up with anything Jesus or His disciples taught?

What did Jesus have to say about hierarchy?

Matt 23:8-12 (NIV):

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Similarly Luke 22:24-27 (NIV)

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Related Posts:

• Who was instructed to baptize
• Authority of Timothy and Titus
• Church Polity
• Who wants to be a leader
• Leadership is not decision making
• The First Pastors
• Love Feast
• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

After we took the Scriptures into our own hands

"Just as our forefathers fell away from the true God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and of the right faith in him . . . , so today, too, every man wants to be saved by a superficial faith without fruits. . . . In the same error we too lingered, as long as we heard and read only the evangelical preachers. But after we took the Scriptures into our own hands and consulted them ourselves on many points, we have been instructed"

Who said this? Sound like a some current blogger?

Anabaptist Conrad Grebel in 1524.

One of many interesting quotes in a free pdf book Secret of the Strength.

there the Devil would also build a chapel

"For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel." - Martin Luther

I find this quote interesting. I can't find the context. But can I make an assumption? Would Martin Luther be disappointed with where the protestant reformation ended up.... back in a bunch of buildings. Different leaders, different titles for the leaders, and some different theology... but a very similar structure.

Sabbath vs Day of the Sun

I was just wondering what the reasons were for most Christians choosing Sunday as their holy day over Saturday the Sabbath.

It seems Constantine had a role to play in it. Constantine is known for being first Christian Roman Emperor. However history tells us there was a mix of sun worshipping going on as well.

Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was a Roman god identified in the later Roman empire[ambiguous] with Sol, accompanied with the epithet invictus meaning unconquered that was commonly given to Sol from the second century CE onwards.

Emperors portrayed Sol Invictus on their official coinage, with a wide range of legends, only a few of which incorporated the epithet invictus, such as the legend SOLI INVICTO COMITI, claiming the Unconquered Sun as a companion to the Emperor, used with particular frequency by Constantine. Statuettes of Sol Invictus, carried by the standard-bearers, appear in three places in reliefs on the Arch of Constantine. Constantine's official coinage continues to bear images of Sol until 325/6. A solidus of Constantine as well as a gold medallion from his reign depict the Emperor's bust in profile twinned ("jugate") with Sol Invictus, with the legend INVICTUS CONSTANTINUS

Constantine decreed (March 7, 321) dies Solis—day of the sun, "Sunday"—as the Roman day of rest [CJ3.12.2]:

“On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for grain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus#Constantine

What about the early church and Sabbath:

Both Days Observed.

One thing is clear: The weekly Christian Sunday--whenever it did arise--did not at first generally become a substitute for the Bible seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday; for both Saturday and Sunday were widely kept side by side for several centuries in early Christian history. Socrates Scholasticus, a church historian of the fifth century A.D., wrote, "For although almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries [the Lord's Supper] on the sabbath of every week, yet the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some ancient tradition, have ceased to do this."[2] And Sozomen, a contemporary of Socrates, wrote, "The people of Constantinople, and almost everywhere, assemble together on the Sabbath, as well as on the first day of the week, which custom is never observed at Rome or at Alexandria."[3] Thus, "almost everywhere" throughout Christendom, except in Rome and Alexandria, there were Christian worship services on both Saturday and Sunday as late as the fifth century. A number of other sources from the third to the fifth centuries also depict Christian observance of both Saturday and Sunday. For example, the Apostolic Constitutions, compiled in the fourth century, furnished instruction to "keep the Sabbath [Saturday], and the Lord's day [Sunday] festival; because the former is the memorial of the creation, and the latter of the resurrection." "Let the slaves work five days; but on the Sabbath-day [Saturday] and the Lord's day [Sunday] let them have leisure to go to church for instruction in piety."

http://www.biblehistory.com/The%20Origin%20of%20Sunday%20Worship.html

OK, I'm not an expert on this by any stretch. These are just some quotes from my google research for the day. But I'll try to summarize what I've gleaned.

• It appears the early church had a custom of gathering together on the Sabbath (7th day)
• They also celebrated Christ's resurrection on Sunday (1st day)
• Constantine's degree made Sunday the official day for the Roman Empire.
• The reasons for the church in Rome switching to Sunday may have had more to do with 'Sun' worship than 'Son' worship.
• I imagine within a few generations of Constantine's decree Sunday gatherings became the norm.

However Jesus was frequently accused of breaking the Sabbath. He didn't really give support to the religious leaders' Sabbath rules.

So it may not make much of a difference if we gather on Saturday, Sunday, or whenever.... as long as we gather, remember, celebrate and encourage one another.

Polycarp the Atheist

Just read about the Martyrdom of Polycarp, who is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers.

Quotes taken from here: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/martyrdompolycarp-hoole.html

9:2 Then, when he had been brought in, the proconsul asked him if he was Polycarp. And when he confessed, he would have persuaded him to deny, saying, Have respect unto thine age, and other things like these, as is their custom to say: Swear by the fortunes of Caesar; Repent; Say, Away with the Atheists. But Polycarp, when he had looked with a grave face at all the multitude of lawless heathen in the arena, having beckoned unto them with his hand, sighed, and looking up unto heaven, said, Away with the Atheists!

I find it interesting that the Christians were called Atheists in this period. Why would Christians be called Atheists? Was it because they did not believe that Caesar was Lord? Interesting.

9:3 And when the proconsul pressed him, and said, Swear, and I will release thee, revile Christ; Polycarp said, Eighty and six years have I served him, and in nothing hath he wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, who saved me?

So the story goes that Polycarp was burned in the arena at 86 years of age, but the fire could not kill him so they killed him with a sword. All because Polycarp remained faithful to his King.

His final words:

"O Lord God Almighty, Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received our knowledge concerning thee, the God of angels and powers, and of the whole creation, and of all the race of the just who lived before thee, I thank thee that thou hast deemed me worthy of this day and hour, that I should have my portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, unto the resurrection of eternal life, both of the soul and body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among these may I be received before thee this day as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, even as thou hast prepared and made manifest beforehand, and hast fulfilled, thou who art the unerring and true God."

Polycarp saw this as partaking in the cup of Christ. His Lord's words to take up his cross and follow Him were very real. I also see a similarity here to Paul in Romans 6 where we learn that those who are baptized into Christ died with Christ on the cross and are raised into new life with Him.

Related Posts:

• Slaves to Sin or God
• Is Caesar Lord

Let Your Alms Sweat In Your Hands

From Chapter 1 of the Didache:

" it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give."

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html

Interesting.

I'm guessing for the early church alms giving was different than putting money in a plate that gets passed around on Sunday morning. We may sweat over how much to give, but do we sweat over who to give it too?


Related passage - Matt 6:1-4 (NIV)

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."