Ignatius of Antioch

“ 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. Nor, again, is there any one among rulers to be compared with the king, who secures peace and good order to those over whom he rules. He who honours the bishop shall be honoured by God, even as he that dishonours him shall be punished by God. ”

“ Chapter IX.—Honour the bishop.
Moreover, [60] it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of conduct] , and, while yet we have opportunity, exercise repentance towards God. It is well to reverence [61] both God and the bishop. 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. Let all things, then, abound to you through grace, for ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall refresh] you. ”

“ 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 [55] of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper [56] 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. ”

“ Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the most high Father, and His beloved Son Jesus Christ, which has through mercy obtained every kind of gift, which is filled with faith and love, and is deficient in no gift, most worthy of God, and adorned with holiness: [2] the Church which is at Smyrna, in Asia, wishes abundance of happiness, through the immaculate Spirit and word of God. ”

“ They have no regard for love; they despise the good things we expect hereafter; they regard present things as if they were durable; they ridicule him that is in affliction; they laugh at him that is in bonds.
Chapter VII.—Let us stand aloof from such heretics.
They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, [44] because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death [45] in the midst of their disputes. ”

“ But consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love; no care for the widow, or the orphan, or the oppressed ”

“ even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. ”

“ What appears to me proper to be done is this, that you should send some one of your number with an epistle, so that, in company with them, he may rejoice over the tranquillity which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because that, through your prayers, I have secured Christ as a safe harbour. As persons who are perfect, ye should also aim at [83] those things which are perfect. For when ye are desirous to do well, God is also ready to assist you. ”

“ I have not, however, thought good to write the names of such persons, inasmuch as they are unbelievers; and far be it from me to make any mention of them, until they repent.
Chapter VI—Unbelievers in the blood of Christ shall be condemned.
Let no man deceive himself. Both the things which are in heaven, and the glorious angels, [36] and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, shall, in consequence, incur condemnation. ”

“ It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and neither in private nor in public to talk with [54] them; but to give heed to the law, and the prophets, and to those who have preached to you the word of salvation. But flee from all abominable heresies, and those that cause schisms, as the beginning of evils.
Chapter VIII.—Let nothing be done without the bishop. ”

“ They are ashamed of the cross; they mock at the passion; they make a jest of the resurrection. They are the offspring of that spirit who is the author of all evil, who led Adam, [49] by means of his wife, to transgress the commandment, who slew Abel by the hands of Cain, who fought against Job, who was the accuser of Joshua [50] the son of Josedech, who sought to “sift the faith” [51] of the apostles, who stirred up the multitude of the Jews against the Lord, who also now “worketh in the children of disobedience ”