The Letter I chose was from Smyrneans:
One reocurring theme in this passage are Bishops. Bishops play a huge role in the Catholic Church. The word 'Bishop' itself means, Offic Holder or Caretaker. You see, when Christ ascended into Heaven to be with the Father, he needed to leave someone here on Earth to guide and lead us down the right path.
Here are a few quotes from Letters to the Smyrneans:
*"You should all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ did the Father."
*"It is a fine thing to acknowledge God and the bishop."
*"He who pays the bishop honor has been honored by God."
*"But he who acts without the bishop’s knowledge is in the devil’s service."
The Church Concludes:
-Leadership comes in a many forms, in the Catholic Church, the Bishop is our Leader
-He who follows the Bishop, will follow the path of righteousness. Therefore, those who do not follow the Bishop, will be "in the devil's service."
-If they fail to believe in Christ’s blood, they too are doomed.
-The Bishop, who in the chain of succession, is the successor to JC.
-The Bishops of the world are good.
Stephen's Letter: Philidelphians
Conclude what the early Church’s view of Church leadership and Apostolic succession was:
"Sheep will follow the sheperd" -- whoever leads the doctrine of the church down a derogative path, they will lead everyone down a bad and/ or sinful path
Priests are "good"-- God said his creations were "good"
Key Ideas:
"Keep away from bad pasturage. Christ did not cultivate it because the Father did not plan it."
"Observe a single Eucharist For there is one flesh our Lord, JC, and one cup of blood that makes us one, and one altar, just as there is one boshop along with the presbytery..."
-here We have the reoccurring mark of the Church: One
Ex: One Church, One Body, One Bishop, One Lord
As Long as the Bishop is good, then those who follows will be good. They will be pleased by God.
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