The term "Apostolic Fathers" refers to a series of letters and authors from the second half of the first century to the first half of the second century. They were given this name in the 17th century because of the link they provide between the Apostles and the later Church Fathers of the Patristic Period. Both these people and the writings, though not included in the New Testament, were nonetheless influential in their day.
The traditional list of the Apostolic Fathers are:
1. Clement of Rome
2. Ignatius of Antioch
3. Polycarp of Smyrna
4. The Didache
5. The Epistle of Barnabas
6. The Shepherd of Hermas
Clement of Rome
Clement served as the Bishop of Rome at the end of the 1st century. His most famous writing was 1 Clement (95 AD), and was the first letter written outside cannon. So influential was Clement and this epistle that both the Egyptian Christians and apostolic fathers considered it scripture.
Another interesting fact about Clement is that he also wrote to the Corinthians, for many of the same reasons Paul did. In his letters, he links discipleship closely to obeying leaders and living a moral life. He also appeals to the myth of the phoenix to support the resurrection.
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was the Bishop in Antioch, and was martyred in Rome around 110 or 115. On his way to Rome to die, he wrote seven letters to Christian churches.
These letters were to to Ephesus, Magnesia, Trallia, Rome, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and Polycarp.
Ignatius was highly revered and respected by the early church. It is believed that he knew John personally and was influenced by him; his writings certainly reflect this. In his letters, he addressed such topics as ecclesiology the sacraments, the role of the bishops, and the Sabbath. He strongly emphasized obedience to Bishops, and some see in this the beginning of the monarchical episcopy. He believed that partaking in the eucharist constituted a major aspect of the process of salvation. He was also one of the earliest defenders of the humanity and deity of Christ.
Polycarp of Smyrna
Polycarp lived from around 69-165 and was the Bishop of Smyrna. Tradition links him with having sat under the teachings of the apostle John. His contribution to the early church was his letter to the Philippians. However, Polycarp is most noted for the story behind his martyrdom. Tradition has it that he was tied at the steak to be burned. When the fire was lit, the flames danced around him and refused to burn him. So angry were his persecutors that they violently stabbed him with spears. So much blood spewed from his body that it put out the flames.
The Didache
The Didache (Greek meaning "teaching") was an early Christian writing that dates from around 50 AD to the early second century. No one knows who wrote it, but it was a very influential writing in the early church, and seems to be written as a circular letter to the churches in Syria. If this is true, it puts the letter being written around 101 AD.
The letter contains instructions for the church, and seems to have been written to boost Christian morality and instruct them in how to deal with itinerant prophets. It also gives advice on Christian living, spirituality, and worship, along dealing with such things as baptism, the eucharist and church organization and structure.
The letter speaks of the two ways- life and death, and hardly mentions grace, faith ,forgiveness, and justification. The way of salvation is described as a certain lifestyle of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands and Christian leaders.
One of the most beneficial things for the modern reader, is its teaching on baptism. It definitely teaches baptism by immersion, but allowed pouring when there is no running water. The congregation is encouraged to fast along with the baptismal candidates in preparation for the sacrament. It also mentions the triune formula (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in regards to what should be spoken over a person when they are baptized.
At the onset, many considered it scripture, but this standing was eventually rejected given some of the spurious teaching found throughout.
The Epistle of Barnabas
The book was probably written in Alexandria, Egypt between 70 and 135. It's author is unknown, but was acquainted with one or more of the apostles (maybe even Apollos).
The writing contains allegorical interpretations of the OT, and way of salvation is portrayed in primarily moralistic terms. The overall theme of the book has to do with the fact that Christians are the true heirs of God's covenant.
The Shepherd of Hermas
It is possible that the author could have been the brother of Pius, the Bishop of Rome around 140-145, but this is not for certain. This book had great influence on the Christians in the Roman Empire, and was the closest non-canonical work to be considered in the NT.
The book contains a series of visions and explanations by an angel to Hermas.
The interpretations are in parable form and are filled with various commands. The book comes across as very moralistic, if not legalistic. The book is greatly concerned about presumptuous sins, and warns that a person will only be forgiven once after baptism. The overall message of the book seems to be that God's mercy is very narrow. God will forgive, but not endlessly. Furthermore, this forgiveness is based on keeping God's commandments.
Hermas also gives regulations on marriage, in which he forbids remarriage after divorce. He even says Christians should avoid sex in marriage! Despite much of its erroneous teachings, probably the main reason the book was rejected from the New Testament was because of it's Spirit Christology. Spirit Christology teaches the Jesus was the incarnation of the Holy Spirit, not the Son.
The traditional list of the Apostolic Fathers are:
1. Clement of Rome
2. Ignatius of Antioch
3. Polycarp of Smyrna
4. The Didache
5. The Epistle of Barnabas
6. The Shepherd of Hermas
Clement of Rome
Clement served as the Bishop of Rome at the end of the 1st century. His most famous writing was 1 Clement (95 AD), and was the first letter written outside cannon. So influential was Clement and this epistle that both the Egyptian Christians and apostolic fathers considered it scripture.
Another interesting fact about Clement is that he also wrote to the Corinthians, for many of the same reasons Paul did. In his letters, he links discipleship closely to obeying leaders and living a moral life. He also appeals to the myth of the phoenix to support the resurrection.
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was the Bishop in Antioch, and was martyred in Rome around 110 or 115. On his way to Rome to die, he wrote seven letters to Christian churches.
These letters were to to Ephesus, Magnesia, Trallia, Rome, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and Polycarp.
Ignatius was highly revered and respected by the early church. It is believed that he knew John personally and was influenced by him; his writings certainly reflect this. In his letters, he addressed such topics as ecclesiology the sacraments, the role of the bishops, and the Sabbath. He strongly emphasized obedience to Bishops, and some see in this the beginning of the monarchical episcopy. He believed that partaking in the eucharist constituted a major aspect of the process of salvation. He was also one of the earliest defenders of the humanity and deity of Christ.
Polycarp of Smyrna
Polycarp lived from around 69-165 and was the Bishop of Smyrna. Tradition links him with having sat under the teachings of the apostle John. His contribution to the early church was his letter to the Philippians. However, Polycarp is most noted for the story behind his martyrdom. Tradition has it that he was tied at the steak to be burned. When the fire was lit, the flames danced around him and refused to burn him. So angry were his persecutors that they violently stabbed him with spears. So much blood spewed from his body that it put out the flames.
The Didache
The Didache (Greek meaning "teaching") was an early Christian writing that dates from around 50 AD to the early second century. No one knows who wrote it, but it was a very influential writing in the early church, and seems to be written as a circular letter to the churches in Syria. If this is true, it puts the letter being written around 101 AD.
The letter contains instructions for the church, and seems to have been written to boost Christian morality and instruct them in how to deal with itinerant prophets. It also gives advice on Christian living, spirituality, and worship, along dealing with such things as baptism, the eucharist and church organization and structure.
The letter speaks of the two ways- life and death, and hardly mentions grace, faith ,forgiveness, and justification. The way of salvation is described as a certain lifestyle of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands and Christian leaders.
One of the most beneficial things for the modern reader, is its teaching on baptism. It definitely teaches baptism by immersion, but allowed pouring when there is no running water. The congregation is encouraged to fast along with the baptismal candidates in preparation for the sacrament. It also mentions the triune formula (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in regards to what should be spoken over a person when they are baptized.
At the onset, many considered it scripture, but this standing was eventually rejected given some of the spurious teaching found throughout.
The Epistle of Barnabas
The book was probably written in Alexandria, Egypt between 70 and 135. It's author is unknown, but was acquainted with one or more of the apostles (maybe even Apollos).
The writing contains allegorical interpretations of the OT, and way of salvation is portrayed in primarily moralistic terms. The overall theme of the book has to do with the fact that Christians are the true heirs of God's covenant.
The Shepherd of Hermas
It is possible that the author could have been the brother of Pius, the Bishop of Rome around 140-145, but this is not for certain. This book had great influence on the Christians in the Roman Empire, and was the closest non-canonical work to be considered in the NT.
The book contains a series of visions and explanations by an angel to Hermas.
The interpretations are in parable form and are filled with various commands. The book comes across as very moralistic, if not legalistic. The book is greatly concerned about presumptuous sins, and warns that a person will only be forgiven once after baptism. The overall message of the book seems to be that God's mercy is very narrow. God will forgive, but not endlessly. Furthermore, this forgiveness is based on keeping God's commandments.
Hermas also gives regulations on marriage, in which he forbids remarriage after divorce. He even says Christians should avoid sex in marriage! Despite much of its erroneous teachings, probably the main reason the book was rejected from the New Testament was because of it's Spirit Christology. Spirit Christology teaches the Jesus was the incarnation of the Holy Spirit, not the Son.