Early Christian Beliefs About Papal Authority

Early Christian writings strongly support bishops as real church leaders, but they do not give one simple answer for papal authority. Ignatius, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions speak of strong episcopal authority and church order. Cyprian also links Peter and the keys to unity, while Origen and Tertullian read Matthew 16 in a broader or more limited way. The result is a mixed but important early witness, with strong support for bishop leadership and a debated case for later papal claims.

150 early-church witnesses · 247 source quotations · compared with Scripture

Best evidence Open context links Source index Bible passages

What did early Christians believe about papal authority?

Early Christian writings give real support for strong bishop leadership, but they do not give a single, clear picture of papal authority as later defined. Ignatius of Antioch and the Apostolic Constitutions speak in very high terms about bishops, while Cyprian links Peter and the keys to church unity and order. At the same time, other writers such as Origen and Tertullian limit Peter’s words or apply them more broadly, so the tradition is not uniform.

The strongest early pattern is respect for bishops and for church order, with a more mixed and debated witness on Peter’s special authority and how far it extends to Rome. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.

Key Takeaways

Ignatius and the Apostolic Constitutions urge believers to honor and follow bishops.
Cyprian connects Peter, the keys, and church unity to later bishop succession.
Origen and Tertullian do not treat Peter’s authority as a simple proof of later papal supremacy.

Questions Answered by the Sources

Did early Christians connect Peter with the keys and binding authority?

Several early Christian writers explicitly link Peter to Matthew 16, the rock, the keys of the kingdom, and the power to bind and loose. The evidence is strongest for Peter as a special recipient of authority, though some writers also extend related language to the wider church or episcopate.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion) Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

...ok, but upon him who is humble and quiet and trembles at my words?" Also, you should reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according to the instructions of the blessed apostles. He who is within the altar is pure; therefore, he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters. But he who is outside does anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons, such a person is defiled in his conscience and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who possesses all power and authority beyond all others, as far as a man can possess it, who, according to his ability, has been made an imitator of the Christ of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counselors and advisers of the bishop? And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to Peter? He, therefore, who will not yield obedience to such, must be utterly without God, an impious person who despises Christ and depreciates His appointments.

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Short Version) Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

It is important for you not to treat your bishop too casually because of his youth, but to show him full respect, honoring the authority of God the Father, as I have seen even holy elders do. They do not judge hastily based on their bishop's youthful appearance, but being wise in God, they submit to him—or rather, not to him, but to the Father of Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all. Therefore, it is right for you to obediently follow your bishop, sincerely honoring Him who has willed us to do so, since those who do not deceive not the visible bishop, but attempt to mock Him who is invisible. All such actions are directed not at people, but at God, who knows all secrets.

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion) Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

For what is the bishop but one who beyond all others possesses all power and authority, so far as it is possible for a man to possess it, who according to his ability has been made an imitator of the Christ of God?

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

Exodus 22:28 For let the bishop preside over you as one honoured with the authority of God, which he is to exercise over the clergy, and by which he is to govern all the people.

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

XII. Therefore, O bishop, judge with authority like God, yet receive the penitent;

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

For now the deacon is to you what Aaron was, and the bishop what Moses was. If, therefore, Moses was called a god by the Lord, let the bishop be honored among you as a god, and the deacon as his prophet. For as Christ does nothing without His Father, so the deacon also does nothing without his bishop. And as the Son without His Father is nothing, so the deacon is nothing without his bishop. And as the Son is subject to His Father, so every deacon is subject to his bishop. And as the Son is the messenger and prophet of the Father, so the deacon is the messenger and prophet of his bishop. Therefore let everything he is to do with anyone be made known to the bishop, and let it be finally ordered by him.

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

Concerning the canons, I also make this constitution. A bishop gives the blessing, but does not receive the blessing. He lays on hands, ordains, offers, and receives the blessing from bishops, but never from presbyters. A bishop removes from office any clergyman who deserves removal, except a bishop, because he does not have the power to do that by himself. A presbyter gives the blessing, but does not receive it; yet he does receive the blessing from the bishop or from a fellow presbyter. In the same way, he gives it to a fellow presbyter. He lays on hands, but does not ordain. He does not remove from office, yet he does separate those under him if they are liable to such a punishment. A deacon does not bless and does not give the blessing, but receives it from the bishop and presbyter. He does not baptize, and he does not offer. But when a bishop or presbyter has offered, he distributes to the people, not as a priest, but as one who ministers to the priests. But it is not lawful for any of the other clergy to do the work of a deacon. A deaconess does not bless, nor does she do anything that belongs to the office of presbyters or deacons. She is only to keep the doors and to minist

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version) Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

See that you all follow the bishop, just as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles. Also, show reverence to the deacons, as those who carry out the appointment of God through their office. Let no one do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let a proper Eucharist be considered as such when it is administered either by the bishop, or by someone he has entrusted it to. Wherever the bishop is present, let the multitude of the people also be there; just as where Christ is, there the whole heavenly host stands by, attending to Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord’s might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful to baptize, offer, present sacrifice, or celebrate a love-feast without the bishop. But whatever seems good to the bishop is also well-pleasing to God, so that everything you do may be secure and valid.

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Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

...les left Him while He was speaking, He turned to the twelve and said, "Will you also go away?" Then Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life; and we believe, and are sure, that You are the Son of the living God." John 6:67-69. Peter speaks there, he on whom the Church was to be built. He teaches and shows in the name of the Church that although a rebellious and arrogant crowd of those who refuse to hear and obey may depart, the Church does not depart from Christ. And they are the Church who are a people united to the priest, and the flock that holds fast to its pastor. Therefore you ought to know that the bishop is in the Church, and the Church in the bishop. If anyone is not with the bishop, he is not in the Church. And those deceive themselves in vain who creep in, not having peace with God's priests, and think that they secretly share in fellowship with some. For the Church, which is Catholic and one, is not cut up or divided, but is truly joined and held together by the bond of priests who hold together with one another.

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Short Version) Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

Ensure that you all follow the bishop, just as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and respect the deacons as being the institution of God. Let no one do anything related to the Church without the bishop. Consider that to be a proper Eucharist which is administered by the bishop or by someone he has entrusted it to. Wherever the bishop is, there let the congregation also be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop to either baptize or celebrate a love-feast; but whatever he approves of is also pleasing to God, so that everything done may be secure and valid.

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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

While the bond of concord remains, and the undivided sacrament of the Catholic Church endures, every bishop disposes and directs his own acts, and will have to give an account of his purposes to the Lord.

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

35. The bishops of every country ought to know who is the chief among them, and to esteem him as their head, and not to do any great thing without his consent;

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Did early Christians say bishops had authority in the church?

Ignatius, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions repeatedly portray bishops as central to church order, oversight, and sacramental life. These texts support a strong early pattern of bishop-led authority, though they describe that authority in ecclesial rather than later papal terms.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

...and arguments. There is an easy proof for faith in a short summary of the truth. The Lord speaks to Peter, saying, "I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall also be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." And again He says to the same one after His resurrection, "Feed my sheep." And although after His resurrection He gives an equal power to all the apostles, and says, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whoever's sins you remit, they shall be remitted to him, and whoever's sins you retain, they shall be retained," John 20:21 yet, so that He might set forth unity, by His authority He arranged the origin of that unity as beginning from one. Certainly the rest of the apostles also were the same as Peter, endowed with an equal share of honor and power; but the beginning proceeds from unity. The Holy Spirit also pointed out this one Church in the Song of Songs, speaking in the person of our Lord, and says, "My dove, my spotless one, i

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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

...ught to keep, describes the honor of a bishop and the order of His Church in the Gospel. He says to Peter: “I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” From there, through the changes of times and successions, the ordering of bishops and the arrangement of the Church continues on. So the Church is founded upon the bishops, and every act of the Church is directed by these same rulers. Since this is founded on divine law, I am amazed that some, with reckless boldness, have chosen to write to me as if they were writing in the name of the Church, when the Church is established in the bishop and the clergy, and in all who stand firm in the faith. Far be it from the mercy of God and His unlimited power to allow the number of the lapsed to be called the Church, since it is written, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Matthew 22:32. For we do indeed desire that all may be made alive, and we pray that by our prayers an

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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

...ed by those in heaven to have been set free. It seems that the things which were earlier granted to Peter alone are here given to all who give the three warnings to all who have sinned. So if they are not heard, they will bind on earth the person who is judged to be like a Gentile and a tax collector, just as such a person has been bound in heaven. But since it was necessary that Peter should have something superior to those who had given three warnings to the brothers, even if something common was said in the case of Peter and of those who had warned the brothers three times, in Peter’s case this saying was specially placed before the words, “And whatever things you bind on earth,” and so on: “I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 16:19. And indeed, if we pay careful attention to the Gospel writings, we will find here also, in relation to the things that seem to be common to Peter and to those who have warned the brothers three times, a great difference and a superiority in what was said to Peter, compared with the second group. For it is no small difference that Peter received the keys not of one heaven but of more than one, so that whatever things he

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Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

Was anything withheld from the knowledge of Peter, who is called the rock on which the church should be built, who also obtained the keys of the kingdom of heaven, with the power of loosing and binding in heaven and on earth?

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Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

For though you think heaven still shut, remember that the Lord left here to Peter and through him to the Church, the keys of it, which every one who has been here put to the question, and also made confession, will carry with him.

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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

For first of all the Lord gave that power to Peter, upon whom He built the Church, and whence He appointed and showed the source of unity — the power, namely, that whatsoever he loosed on earth should be loosed in heaven.

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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

1. Our Lord, whose precepts and admonitions we ought to observe, describing the honour of a bishop and the order of His Church, speaks in the Gospel, and says to Peter: I say unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church;

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Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

But when those who maintain the function of the episcopate make use of this word as Peter, and, having received the keys of the kingdom of heaven from the Saviour, teach that things bound by them, that is to say, condemned, are also bound in heaven, and that those which have obtained remission by them are also loosed in heaven, we must say that they speak wholesomely if they have the way of life on account of which it was said to that Peter, You are Peter;

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Matthew 16:19 Background

Bible Passages

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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Matthew 16:18 Background

Bible Passages

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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Did early Christian writers limit authority to Peter alone?

Some early sources explicitly say authority was given to all the apostles, and Origen asks whether the keys belong to Peter alone. Cyprian also says Christ gave equal power to the apostles, so the sources preserve both a Petrine emphasis and a broader shared-authority emphasis.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

... the lies of malicious people and slanderers, but from the judgment of the Lord God, who made him a bishop, and from the testimony of his fellow bishops, whose whole number has agreed with complete unity throughout the whole world. For this is something that, with worthy praise, commends our dearest Cornelius to God and Christ, to His Church, and also to all his fellow priests: he was not a man who suddenly reached the episcopate. Rather, after being advanced through all the offices of the Church, and after often serving the Lord well in sacred ministries, he rose through all the ranks of religious service to the high summit of the priesthood. Moreover, he did not ask for the episcopate itself, nor did he desire it. Nor, as others do when they are swollen with arrogance and pride, did he seize it for himself. Instead, he was peaceful and gentle, like those who are usually chosen by God for this office. Because of the modesty of his virgin continence, and the humility of his natural and carefully guarded reverence, he did not, as some do, use force to be made a bishop. Rather, he himself underwent compulsion, so that he was forced to accept the office of bishop. And he was made b

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

[we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul;

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops.

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Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Background

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

Besides all these things, he also writes to Cornelius at Rome after receiving his letter against Novatus. In that letter, he also shows that he had been invited by Helenus, bishop in Tarsus of Cilicia, and by the others who were with him—namely, Firmilian, bishop in Cappadocia, and Theoctistus in Palestine—to meet with them at the Council of Antioch. There, certain people were trying to establish the schism of Novatus. In addition, he writes that it had been reported to him that Fabius was dead, and that Demetrianus had been appointed as his successor in the bishopric of the church at Antioch. He also writes about the bishop in Jerusalem, saying in these very words: "And the blessed Alexander, after being cast into prison, went to his rest in blessedness."

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Caius, Fragments Background

Early Christian Writings · Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

The Pastor, moreover, did Hermas write very recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother bishop Plus sat in the chair of the Church of Rome.

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Common Questions

Did the early Christians believe Peter had special authority?

Yes, many early writers gave Peter a special role, especially with the keys and church unity. But some also said those words apply to other believers or bishops too.

Did early Christians teach papal supremacy the way later Roman Catholicism does?

Not in a clear, settled way. The early writings support strong bishop authority and honor for Peter, but the later full doctrine is not stated plainly in these cards.

Did early Christians think bishops should be obeyed?

Yes. Ignatius and the Apostolic Constitutions speak very strongly about obedience to bishops and church order.

Source Index for Papal authority

The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 247 compiled sources for deeper study.

Source index 160 ranked links shown

Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 150

Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.

Cyprian, Treatises

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

Read in context
Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion)

Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

Read in context
Cyprian, Epistles

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Oration to Origen

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

Read in context
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

Read in context
Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Short Version)

Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Tertullian, Apology

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

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Tatian, The Diatessaron

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor)

Primary Text · 1st c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Novatian, On the Jewish Meats

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Minucius Felix, Octavius

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #4

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Justin Martyr, On the Resurrection, Fragments

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion)

Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Tertullian, Against Marcion

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Lactantius, On the Anger of God

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Tatian, The Diatessaron

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Hermas, Connection to Matthew 28:18

Primary Text · 1st c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Tertullian, On Modesty

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #4

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Justin Martyr, The Second Apology

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Novatian, On the Jewish Meats

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Origen, Commentary on Matthew

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Cyprian, Epistles

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus)

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version)

Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Clement of Rome, Second Epistle (attributed)

Primary Text · 1st c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Arnobius, Against the Heathen

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Minucius Felix, Octavius

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #4

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Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Origen, Commentary on Matthew

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus)

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version)

Primary Text · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Arnobius, Against the Heathen

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

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Victorinus, On the Creation of the World

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Minucius Felix, Octavius

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #4

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Origen, Commentary on Matthew

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Tertullian, Scorpiace

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

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Justin Martyr, The First Apology

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies)

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

Read in context
Arnobius, Against the Heathen

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

Read in context
Origen, Commentary on Matthew

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

Read in context
Tertullian, Apology

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

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Cyprian, Epistles

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies)

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #2

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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Arnobius, Against the Heathen

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #6

Read in context
Origen, Commentary on John

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #9

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Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul)

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #3

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Cyprian, Epistles

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #5

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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV

Primary Text · 2nd c. · Volume 1 - The Apostolic Fathers

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Lactantius, The Divine Institutes

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions

Primary Text · 3rd c. · Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume #7

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Bible Passages 80 shown of 97

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