Uninspired Writings100 – 150 A.D.

Key source: F. W. Mattox, The Eternal Kingdom: A History of the Church of

Christ, Delight, Arkansas: Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961

The Falling Away Foretold

• The Lord warned of false prophets – Matthew 7:15-20.

• Paul gave warnings – Acts 20:28-32; 2 Corinthians 11:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:1-2; Titus 1:16.

• James told of the source of fighting – 4:1-3.• Peter warned of false prophets – 2 Peter 2:1-

2.• Jude foresaw the same problem – 4.• John told of dangerous teachers – 1 John

2:18-19; 4:1; 3 John 9-10; Revelation 2:1-2.

The Apostolic Fathers

• Generally, uninspired writers who either knew the apostles or knew people who had personal contact with the apostles are called the Apostolic Fathers.– Greek philosophy was making inroads into the

thinking of the leaders of the church.– Judaizers were requiring Christians to keep

the Law of Moses.

Clement of Rome• About 96 A.D., young men in the Corinthian

church rebelled against the elders.– The church at Rome wrote a letter in Greek to

encourage them to settle their difficulties.– This epistle, thought to be Clement’s, contains

quotations from the OT (150) and numerous references to the NT.

• He sets forth:– Bishops and deacons as the order of officers– A plurality of elders– Obedience to the elders– A distinction between his writings and those of

inspired men

Ignatius of Antioch• “The great value to Ignatius of the

monarchical bishop is as a rallying-point of unity, and as the best opponent of heresy” (Walker, p. 42).

• Walker goes on to quote, “Shun divisions as the beginning of evils. Do ye all follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and the presbytery as the Apostles, and to the deacons pay respect” (p. 42).

• His writings give no indication that a bishop’s authority goes beyond the congregation where he worships (Mattox).

The Epistle of Barnabas

• It is now believed it was not written by Barnabas, though it was first thought it was.

• This epistle answers the Judaizers who said the Law was still in force.

• It contains a strong exhortation for purity of life.

The Didache, or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

• Believed written around 150 A.D

• General instructions about morality and the Christian life

• Two paths: way of life and way of death

• Worship of the church discussed– Encouragement to assemble on the 1st day of

the week and break bread

• Warns of the 2nd coming of Christ

• Regulations concerning the ministry

Papias (125-150 A.D.)• Iranaeus’ and Eusebius’ quotes from him

show he gathered oral statements from the apostles and put them in writing.

• Iranaeus believed he was a disciple of John, but Eusebius did not agree.

• He referred to officers of the church as presbyters, even calling the apostles presbyters.

• He was the first to state millennial views of Christ setting up a material kingdom on earth.

Polycarp (115-156 A.D.)

• Best known as the aged bishop of Smyrna who was martyred for his faith.

• Story of his death was one of the first recorded and circulated among the churches.– Killed February 22, 156 at age 86 after

serving as an elder 40-50 years.

Polycarp (115 – 156 A.D.)

• His letter to the church at Philippi (115) contains no idea foreign to N.T. teaching.– No distinction between bishop and elder– Admonishes the church to be subject to

presbyters and deacons– Encouragement to elders to be

compassionate and merciful, bringing back the wondering

• Iranaeus said Polycarp was a companion of the apostles.

Shepherd of Hermas (140 – 150 A. D.)

• Author is supposed to be Hermas, a slave who was freed by a wealthy woman of Rome, Rhoda.– He became a well-to-do farmer and turned to sin.– His children also corrupt– When he lost all, he turned to God

• Main theme was to show there was forgiveness for the erring Christian who repented.– Church organization was with elders or bishops

(no distinction)– Baptism was immersion for the remission of sins

Conclusion

• These writers give the best info on the church the first 50 years after the death of the last apostle.

• They are referred to as the “Apostolic Fathers” because they lived so near the age of the apostles and some knew them personally.

• Their writings tell us little had changed from N. T. practices, but there was beginning of departure

Conclusion

• They give evidence of the independence of each congregation.

• They give no evidence of Peter being the bishop of Rome, or the doctrine of original sin.

• They give clear evidence of free will and baptism as immersion for the remission of sins.