Apostolic Fathers & Succession
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this unit is to help the students understand the concept of Apostolic Succession, and to learn about some of the fathers we call "Apostolic Fathers."
The church as a whole, is built on the foundations of traditions and Biblical understanding. We know the Bible and have had access to it for centuries. The fathers on the other hand, i.e patristics, is a continually evolving study of understanding who the fathers were and what it was they have taught.
INTRODUCTION
The Apostolic fathers in particular came at a time when the church was in its early development and became integral parts of the creation of the church as we know it today. They all saw their apotolic teachers become martyrs, with the exception of St. John, and take on their role as the apostles of their age and time, helping create the foundation of what the church is today.
Who Are The Apostolic Fathers?
- Christian writers of the 1st/2nd centuries; considered the first teachers after the Apostles
- St. Polycarp: direct disciple of St. John
- St. Ignatius of Antioch: disciple of both St. John and St. Peter
- St. Clement of Rome: disciple of St. Peter and St. Paul
- Overall theme of their writing is to define what it means to be Christian and how it differs from Judaism
- The term "Apostolic Fathers" was not coined until the 17th century as they were simply the early church fathers according to authors.
What is Apostolic Succession?
Since the Gospel was being transmitted mostly orally in the first few centuries, it was essential that each person teaching the next generation of believers was both selected and taught by their Fathers, who were selected and taught by their Fathers, and so on, all the way back to Christ Himself
The Coptic Orthodox Church, for example, traces her lineage back to the Apostle Mark.
Note to Servants: An alternate lesson sequence is included in the attachments below.
CONTENT (KEY POINTS)
Summaries about some of the Apostolic Fathers, St. Polycarp, St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Clement of Rome can be found in a handout attached below.
Characteristics of the Writings of the Apostolic Fathers
They are "Epistolary" in style and form:
- Written in the form of letters and/or epistles
- Deal with two issues:
- The internal unity of the Church and the preservation of Her peace; and
- Preservation of the pure faith without heathen flaws.
They are very "Simple" in approach
- Not overly complex yet filled with zeal and never reliant on Greek philosophy
They show "Pastoral Concern" (care for flock)
- Writings were meant to show guidance and care for the flock. Fathers were not intellectual geniuses, but fathers and guides to the early Christians
They are "Eschatological" (focused on the life after death)
- Their writings revealed a deep yearning towards the ascended Christ
- This yearning carried a saintly form in their lives, writings, and worship.
They are "Ecclesiastical" in delivery
- Writings were intended as universal, for all churches everywhere and always
They are Spirit-Filled and Spirit-Guided
- Their writings were not intended as dogma, but rather they were spiritual at their core.
Challenges/Heresies Faced by the Apostolic Fathers
1st century heresies:
Docetic heresy:
- Claimed that Christ only appeared human, but was truly fully spirit.
- Claimed that Christ did not really suffer and die, but that He only appeared to do so.
Gnosticism
- Claimed only the elite had access to secret knowledge and revelations. (modern day Mormonism)
APPLICATION (Action)
It is imperative to walk away from this lesson understanding the concept of apostolic succession as explained above. The apostolic fathers lived and died building the foundation of the church we know and love today. Some of these fathers, like St. Ignatius, described the concept and role of the Bishop. His writing on the hierarchical structure of the church is still very relevant today. Others among them, like St. Clement, was himself essential in explaining the very concept of apostolic succession, which leads to understanding everything from discipleship to priesthood today. It is from here that we can begin to build the rest of our understanding and studies of the fathers to come, like the apologetic fathers and those after them. Patristics is like a step ladder, one must take each step to reach the keys at the top.
DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY
The objective of this activity is to understand how to read the church fathers writings and conclude from there certain concepts about the faith. Have youth read the attached epistle (St. Ignatius' Epistle to the Smyrneans) and identify and highlight within the epistle passages that address the 4 main concepts of the epistle: Ecclesiology, Christology, Bishop and Christ Relationship, Martyrdom and Endurance for Christ. If the class splits into groups, each group can identify all the passages regarding one of the above concepts. The class can also do this together or this can be assigned as homework.
Attached you will find a pre-highlighted epistle (Answer Key) with the topic key for servants as a reference.
Each topic is summarized below.
- Ecclesiology (study of the Church and origins of Christianity) - taught that the church is the body of Christ
- Christology - After His resurrection, Christ was still "possessed of flesh," meaning that He still had a physical, yet glorified body. He is the "door of the Father." (Letter to the Smyrnaens, §1, 3, 8)
- Bishop and Christ Relationship - encouraged the faithful to revere the bishop as Jesus Christ, meaning not to treat him as God, but rather to respect him, heed his words and guidance as an extension of Christ Himself. He taught that one must not do anything in the church without the bishop. (Letter to the Smyrnaens, §8)
- Martyrdom and Endurance for Christ - taught us through his own life, that to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, is to receive the protection and presence of God in those dark times. (Letter to the Smyrnaens, §4)
SERVANT RESOURCES
- The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations, 3rd edition. Edited and translated by Michael Holmes. Baker Academic Publishing, 1992.
- Fr. Basilous al-Maqary, Dirasat fi 'Aba' al-Kanisa (Studies in the Church Fathers), Majalit Markus Publishing House, 1999.
- Fr. Seraphim al-Baramosy, Dawa' al-Khuloud (The Medicine of Immortality), al-Delta Publishing House, 2009.
- Fr. Tadros Ya'coub, Al-Shahidan Aghnatius wa Poliycarpus (The Two Martyrs Ignatius and Polycarp).