Early Christian Church Authority

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its pre-eminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, inasmuch as the apostolical tradition has been preserved continuously by those [faithful men] who exist everywhere.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

... this: Let them bring out the original records of their churches. Let them unfold the list of their bishops, coming down in proper succession from the beginning, in such a way that their first bishop can show that his ordainer and predecessor was one of the apostles or one of the apostolic men, and moreover, a man who remained faithful with the apostles. For this is how the apostolic churches pass down their records. The church of Smyrna records that Polycarp was placed there by John. In the same way, the church of Rome says that Clement was ordained by Peter. In exactly the same way, the other churches also present their own notable men. Since these men were appointed to their places as bishops by apostles, the churches regard them as those who pass on the apostolic seed. Let the heretics invent something similar. After their blasphemy, what is unlawful for them to attempt? But even if they manage to invent such a thing, they will gain nothing by it. For when their doctrine is compared with the doctrine of the apostles, its very difference and opposition will show by itself that its author was neither an apostle nor an apostolic man. As the apostles would never have taught thin

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

... them to the tradition that originates from the apostles and is preserved through the succession of presbyters in the Churches, they object to tradition, claiming they are wiser not only than the presbyters but even than the apostles, because they have discovered the unadulterated truth. They argue that the apostles mixed the law with the words of the Saviour, and that not only the apostles but even the Lord Himself spoke at times from the Demiurge, at other times from the intermediate place, and yet again from the Pleroma. However, they claim to have knowledge of the hidden mystery, clearly, purely, and without error: this is, indeed, to blaspheme their Creator in a most impudent manner! It comes to this, therefore, that these people now agree with neither Scripture nor tradition.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

2. But, again, when we refer them to that tradition which originates from the apostles, [and] which is preserved by means of the succession of presbyters in the Churches, they object to tradition, saying that they themselves are wiser not merely than the presbyters, but even than the apostles, because they have discovered the unadulterated truth.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

and we are in a position to reckon up those who were by the apostles instituted bishops in the Churches, and [to demonstrate] the succession of these men to our own times;

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

so, seeing there are many who think they hold the opinions of Christ, and yet some of these think differently from their predecessors, yet as the teaching of the Church, transmitted in orderly succession from the apostles, and remaining in the Churches to the present day, is still preserved, that alone is to be accepted as truth which differs in no respect from ecclesiastical and apostolic tradition.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Supporting witness

for even they did not of themselves choose to introduce anything, but faithfully delivered to the nations (of mankind) the doctrine which they had received from Christ.

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!

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Wherefore both the presbyters and the deacons are those of authority in the Church next to God Almighty and His beloved Son.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...presbyters over the people, for the continuance of the congregation depends on one another. For the bishops and the presbyters are the priests in relation to the people, and the laity are the laity in relation to the clergy. And being a Christian is in our own power, but being an apostle, or a bishop, or holding any other such office, is not in our own power, but under the disposal of God, who gives the gifts. And this is enough concerning those who are granted gifts and dignities.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...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

Concerning the ordination of presbyters, I who am loved by the Lord give this constitution to you bishops: When you ordain a presbyter, O bishop, lay your hand on his head in the presence of the presbyters and deacons, and pray, saying: O Lord Almighty, our God, who created all things through Christ, and in the same way takes care of the whole world through Him. For He who had power to make different creatures also has power to take care of them according to their different natures. Because of this, O God, You take care of immortal beings simply by preserving them, but of mortal beings by succession: of the soul by the giving of laws, and of the body by supplying its needs. Therefore, now also look down on Your holy Church, and increase it, and multiply those who preside in it, and grant them power so that they may labor both in word and work for the building up of Your people. Now look down also on this Your servant, who is placed into the presbytery by the vote and decision of the whole clergy, and fill him with the Spirit of grace and counsel, to help and govern Your people with a pure heart, in the same way as You looked down on Your chosen people and commanded Moses to choose

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 Supporting witness

although you have power, according to the vigour of the episcopate and the authority of your See, whereby you might be justified on him at once, assured that all we your colleagues would regard it as a matter of satisfaction, whatever you should do by your priestly power in respect of an insolent deacon, as you have in respect of men of this kind divine commands.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

... is especially so since you already know well enough the name of Fortunatus, who is one of the five presbyters who some time ago deserted the Church and were recently excommunicated by the judgment of our fellow bishops, men both numerous and of the highest respect, who wrote to you last year about this matter. You would also recognize Felicissimus, the standard-bearer of sedition. He too is included in those same letters long ago written to you by our fellow bishops, and he not only was excommunicated by them here, but was also recently driven from the Church by you there. Since I was confident that these things were known to you, and knew for certain that they remained in your memory and discipline, I did not think it necessary to report the follies of heretics to you quickly and urgently. For it should not belong to the majesty or dignity of the Catholic Church to concern itself with whatever the audacity of heretics and schismatics may attempt among themselves. For Novatian's party is also said to have now made Maximus the presbyter their false bishop in that place. He was recently sent to us as an ambassador for Novatian and was rejected from communion with us. Yet I had no

Malchion, Epistle Against Paul of Samosata Supporting witness

To Dionysius and Maximus, and to all our fellow ministers throughout the world—both bishops and presbyters and deacons—and to the whole Catholic Church under heaven: Helenus, Hymenaeus, Theophilus, Theotecnus, Maximus, Proclus, Nicomas, Aelianus, Paul, Bolanus, Protogenes, Hierax, Eutychius, Theodorus, Malchion, and Lucius, and all the others who are with us, living in the neighboring cities and nations, both bishops and presbyters and deacons, together with the churches of God, send greetings to our brothers beloved in the Lord.

Clement of Rome, Connection to Acts 14:23 Supporting witness

For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect foreknowledge of this, they appointed those already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions.

Clement of Alexandria, Connection to Acts 14:23 Supporting witness

Such an one is in reality a presbyter of the Church, and a true minister (deacon) of the will of God, if he do and teach what is the Lord's; not as being ordained

Hippolytus, Against the Heresy of Noetus Supporting witness

...inheritance. He claimed that he himself was Moses, and that Aaron was his brother. When the blessed presbyters heard this, they called him before the Church and questioned him. But at first he denied that he held such views. Afterwards, however, taking refuge with some people, and gathering around him others who had accepted the same error, he then wanted to defend his teaching openly as true. And the blessed presbyters called him before them again and questioned him. But he resisted them, saying, "Then what evil am I doing by glorifying Christ?" And the presbyters answered him, "We too truly know one God. We know Christ. We know that the Son suffered just as He suffered, and died just as He died, and rose again on the third day, and is at the right hand of the Father, and comes to judge the living and the dead. And these are the things we have learned and declare." Then, after questioning him, they expelled him from the Church. And he was carried to such a height of pride that he set up a school.

Hebrews 13:17 Direct teaching

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

Therefore, it is necessary to obey the presbyters in the Church—those who, as I have shown, possess the succession from the apostles; those who, along with the succession of the episcopate, have received the certain gift of truth, according to the good pleasure of the Father. But it is also necessary to be wary of others who depart from this original succession and gather themselves anywhere, viewing them as heretics with perverse minds, schismatics who are arrogant and self-serving, or as hypocrites acting for gain or vanity. All these have fallen from the truth. The heretics who bring strange fire to the altar of God, meaning strange doctrines, will be consumed by fire from heaven, as Nadab and Abiud were. Those who oppose the truth and urge others against the Church of God will remain among those in hell, as they are swallowed by an earthquake, just as those with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were. Those who divide and separate the unity of the Church will receive the same punishment from God as Jeroboam did. Amen

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

... whose commands and warnings we ought 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, a

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...h. For the apostle also says, "For what if some of them have departed from the faith? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God of no effect? God forbid; for God is true, but every man a liar." Romans 3:3-4. And the Lord also says in the Gospel that when disciples 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, whi

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

2. Wherefore it is incumbent to obey the presbyters who are in the Church,—those who, as I have shown, possess the succession from the apostles;

Tertullian, On Exhortation to Chastity Supporting witness

It is the authority of the Church, and the honour which has acquired sanctity through the joint session of the Order, which has established the difference between the Order and the laity.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 Supporting witness

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Anonymous, Connection to Hebrews 13:17 Supporting witness

Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us esteem those who have the rule over us;