Early Christian Beliefs About the Laity and Clergy

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version) Direct teaching

...nor free.” Let governors be obedient to Caesar; soldiers to those that command them; deacons to the presbyters, as to high priests; the presbyters, deacons, and the rest of the clergy, together with all the people, soldiers, governors, and Caesar himself, to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, just as Christ to the Father. And thus unity is preserved throughout. Let not the widows be wanderers, nor fond of dainties, nor going from house to house, but let them be like Judith, noted for her seriousness; and like Anna, known for her sobriety. I do not ordain these things as an apostle: for “who am I, or what is my father’s house,” that I should pretend to be equal in honor to them? But as your “fellow-soldier,” I hold the position of one who simply admonishes you.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

For this is suitable to the modesty and the discipline, and even the life of all of us, that the chief officers meeting together with the clergy in the presence also of the people who stand fast, to whom themselves, moreover, honour is to be shown for their faith and fear, we may be able to order all things with the religiousness of a common consultation.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching

...these appointments were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. Thus, preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits of their labors, having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who would later believe. Nor was this a new thing, since many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus says the Scripture in a certain place, “I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.”

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...ed, equally from Jews and Greeks. Since, according to my opinion, the grades here in the Church, of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, are imitations of the angelic glory, and of that divine arrangement which, the Scriptures say, awaits those who, following the footsteps of the apostles, have lived in perfection of righteousness according to the Gospel. For these, taken up in the clouds, the apostle writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, will first minister as deacons, then be classed in the presbyterate, by promotion in glory—for glory differs from glory, 1 Corinthians 15:41—until they grow into a perfect man, Ephesians 4:13.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

..., the fellow workers of Paul, received and left to you. While the Gospel is being read, let all the presbyters and deacons, and all the people, stand up in great silence, for it is written, "Be silent, and hear, O Israel," Deuteronomy 27:9. And again, "But stand there, and hear," Deuteronomy 5:31. Next, let the presbyters exhort the people one by one, not all together, and let the bishop speak last, as the commander. Let the porters stand at the entrances for the men and watch them. Let the deaconesses also stand at those for the women, like shipmen. For the same arrangement and pattern was also in the tabernacle of the testimony and in the temple of God. But if anyone is found sitting out of his place, let him be rebuked by the deacon, as a manager of the front of the ship, and be moved to the place proper for him. For the Church is not only like a ship, but also like a sheepfold. For just as shepherds place all the animals separately, I mean goats and sheep, according to their kind and age, and yet each one runs together with its own kind, so it is to be in the Church. Let the young persons sit by themselves, if there is a place for them. If not, let them stand upright. But le

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

But being taught by the Lord the series of things, we distributed the functions of the high-priesthood to the bishops, those of the priesthood to the presbyters, and the ministration under them both to the deacons;

1 Corinthians 12:28 Supporting witness

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1 Timothy 3:1 Supporting witness

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

Ephesians 4:11 Supporting witness

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Philippians 1:1 Supporting witness

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version) Direct teaching

... done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, just as He is to the Father. As you, brothers, have refreshed me, so will Jesus Christ refresh you. You have loved me when absent, as well as when present. God will recompense you, for whose sake you have shown such kindness towards His prisoner. For even if I am not worthy of it, yet your zeal to help me is admirable. For “he who honors a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” It is also evident that he who honors a prisoner of Jesus Christ shall receive the reward of the martyrs.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Direct teaching

...ese. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Presbyters, be subject to the bishop; deacons, to the presbyters; and you, the people, to the presbyters and the deacons. Let my soul be with those who maintain this good order; and may the Lord be with them continually!

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Direct teaching

You presbyters, "feed the flock which is among you," until God reveals who is to lead you. For "I am now ready to be offered," that I "may win Christ." Let the deacons understand the dignity of their position and strive to be blameless so they may follow Christ. Let the people be subject to the presbyters and the deacons. Let the virgins be aware of whom they have consecrated themselves to.

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

Let the laity be subject to the deacons;

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

ye deacons, to the presbyters; and ye, the people, to the presbyters and the deacons.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

4. Concerning this I have written both to the clergy and to the people, both of which letters I have directed to be read to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 Supporting witness

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...st of the clergy to baptize. For example, not readers, singers, doorkeepers, or ministers, but only bishops and presbyters. Even then, the deacons are to assist them in it. But those who dare to do it will undergo the punishment of the companions of Korah. Numbers 16. We do not permit presbyters to ordain deacons, deaconesses, readers, ministers, singers, or doorkeepers, but only bishops, for this is the ecclesiastical order and harmony.

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness

...lty of any sin, even a sin to death, he should not be removed from office. In the time of this man, bishops, priests, and deacons who had been married twice or three times began to be allowed to keep their place among the clergy. Also, if anyone in holy orders got married, Callistus allowed that person to remain in holy orders as though he had not sinned. To defend this, he says that the Apostle spoke these words about such a person: "Who are you that judges another man's servant?" Romans 14:4. He also claimed that the parable of the tares was spoken about this as well: "Let the tares grow along with the wheat," Matthew 13:30; that is, let those in the Church who are guilty of sin remain in it. He also declared that Noah's ark was made as a symbol of the Church, in which there were dogs, wolves, ravens, and all kinds of clean and unclean things. And so, he says, the same should be true of the Church. And whatever passages of Scripture he could gather that supported this view, he interpreted in that way.

Malchion, Epistle Against Paul of Samosata Supporting witness

...ngs. But why should we write about these matters? For, beloved, we know that the bishop and all the clergy ought to be an example to the people in all good works. Nor are we unaware that many have fallen away by bringing these women into their houses, while others have come under suspicion. So even if someone should admit that he has done nothing shameful in this matter, he still ought at least to have avoided the suspicion that comes from such conduct, lest perhaps some might be offended or be led to imitate him. For how could anyone rebuke another, or warn him to beware of growing too familiar with a woman, lest perhaps he might slip, as it is written, if he has sent one away but still keeps two with him, and these in the flower of their youth and of beautiful appearance, and if, when he goes away, he takes them with him, and all this while he lives in luxury and overeating?

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...n made an example to others, both in courage and in the fear of God. I had indeed believed that the presbyters and deacons there with you would more fully warn and instruct you about the law of the Gospel, as was always done before under my predecessors. Then the deacons, going in and out of the prison, guided the desires of the martyrs by their counsel and by the teachings of Scripture. But now, with great sorrow of heart, I learn that not only are the divine commands not being set before you by them, but that they are even being held back instead. So the things that are being done by you yourselves, both toward God with caution and toward God's priest with honor, are being weakened by certain presbyters, who consider neither the fear of God nor the honor due to the bishop. Although you sent letters to me asking that your wishes should be considered, and that peace should be granted to certain of the lapsed as soon as, after the end of the persecution, we had begun to meet with our clergy and gather together again, those presbyters, contrary to the law of the Gospel and also contrary to your respectful request, before repentance was completed, before confession had even been ma

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ut 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 minister to the presbyters in the baptizing of women, for the sake of decency. A deacon

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ed among us, you yourselves are not ignorant of them. For you certainly know that those named by us bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, were made so by prayer and by the laying on of hands, and that the difference in their names shows the difference in their duties. For not everyone who wants to be ordained is ordained, as was the case in that spurious and counterfeit priesthood of the calves under Jeroboam, 1 Kings 13:33, but only he who is called by God. For if there were no rule or distinction of orders, it would be enough to perform all the offices under one name. But being taught by the Lord the order of things, we distributed the functions of the high-priesthood to the bishops, those of the priesthood to the presbyters, and the ministration under both of them to the deacons, so that the divine worship might be performed in purity. For it is not lawful for a deacon to offer the sacrifice, or to baptize, or to give either the greater or the lesser blessing. Nor may a presbyter perform ordination. For it is not agreeable to holiness for this order to be perverted. For God is not the God of confusion, so that those in lower rank should tyrannically take for themselves the fu

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...n named and approved, let the people gather on the Lord's Day, together with the presbytery and the bishops who are present, and let them give their consent. And let the chief of the bishops ask the presbytery and the people whether this is the man whom they desire as their ruler. If they agree, let him ask further whether he has a good testimony from all men concerning his fitness for so great and glorious an authority; whether everything relating to his piety toward God is right; whether he has practiced justice toward men; whether he has managed the affairs of his household well; and whether he has been blameless in the course of his life. And if the whole assembly together truthfully, and not out of prejudice, bears witness that he is such a man, let them ask a third time, as before God the Judge and Christ, with the Holy Spirit also present, as well as all the holy ministering spirits, whether he is truly worthy of this ministry, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, Matthew 18:16. And if they agree the third time that he is worthy, let them all be asked for their vote. When they all give it willingly, let them be heard. And when sile

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

But deacons ought to remember that the Lord chose apostles, that is, bishops and overseers, while the apostles, after the Lord's ascension into heaven, appointed deacons for themselves as servants of their episcopacy and of the Church. But if we may dare anything against God, who makes bishops, then deacons may also dare against us, by whom they are made. Therefore, the deacon about whom you wrote ought to repent of his audacity, acknowledge the honor of the priest, and satisfy the bishop set over him with full humility. For these things are the beginnings of heretics, and the origins and efforts of evil-minded schismatics: to please themselves, and with swollen pride to despise the one set over them. In this way they depart from the Church. In this way a profane altar is set up outside. In this way they rebel against the peace of Christ, and against the appointment and unity of God. But if he also troubles and provokes you with his insults, you must use the authority of your office against him, either by removing him or by excommunicating him. For if the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Let no man despise your youth," 1 Timothy 4:12, how much more should your fellow bishop

Acts 14:23 Supporting witness

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

1 Timothy 3:2 Supporting witness

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1 Timothy 3:13 Supporting witness

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 5:17 Supporting witness

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.