There were four men who came to be known as the “Apostolic Fathers” The term Apostolic Fathers is used to describe a group of early Christian writings produced in the late 1st and 2nd century . They are (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, and authors of the Epistle to Barnabas). Their works include the “Didache”. Didache used as Christian teaching manual for new converts. “The Didache is considered part of the category of second-generation Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers” (Wikipedia). The Didache is extremely important in proving the authenticity of the New Testament since it quotes extensively from the writings of the Apostles “their writings were external evidence of historicity of Christ, the apostles, and early Christianity”
…show more content…
Roman historian Eusebius dates his martyrdom to the reign of Marcus Aurelius, A.D 166-167. However, The Martyrdom of Polycarp dates his death to Saturday, February 23 in the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, AD 155-156. These earlier dates fit the tradition of his association with Ignatius and which Eusebius also connects him with the Apostle John. The writings of Apostolic Fathers or Polycarp as individual are important because they give credence to the orthodox belief, that the Apostle was the authentic author of the Gospel of John. His sole surviving work is his Epistle to the Philippians, which contains extensive references to the New Testament. The Epistle and The Martyrdom of Polycarp, a circular letter from the church of Smyrna to the churches of Pontus, form part of a collection of writings termed the “Apostolic Fathers.” The Martyrdom is considered the earliest genuine account of a Christian martyrdom from the actual age of the persecutions. Polycarp is another important link between the Apostles and the second century Apologists who properly identified the canon of the New Testament …show more content…
It is from the word katholikos that the word "catholic" comes. “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. The Didache, a Christian teaching manual for new converts, was discovered in the late 1800s. Many scholars agree that this book was probably written in the late first century no more than 60 to 70 years after the crucifixion of Christ. “Didache” is Koine Greek for “teaching.” The Didache is extremely important in proving the authenticity of the New Testament since it quotes extensively from the writings of the Apostles. The document contains the Lord's Prayer, which is identical with Matthew 6:9-13, and also prayers spoken during baptism and communion services of the early
Roman historian Eusebius dates his martyrdom to the reign of Marcus Aurelius, A.D 166-167. However, The Martyrdom of Polycarp dates his death to Saturday, February 23 in the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus, AD 155-156. These earlier dates fit the tradition of his association with Ignatius and which Eusebius also connects him with the Apostle John. The writings of Apostolic Fathers or Polycarp as individual are important because they give credence to the orthodox belief, that the Apostle was the authentic author of the Gospel of John. His sole surviving work is his Epistle to the Philippians, which contains extensive references to the New Testament. The Epistle and The Martyrdom of Polycarp, a circular letter from the church of Smyrna to the churches of Pontus, form part of a collection of writings termed the “Apostolic Fathers.” The Martyrdom is considered the earliest genuine account of a Christian martyrdom from the actual age of the persecutions. Polycarp is another important link between the Apostles and the second century Apologists who properly identified the canon of the New Testament …show more content…
It is from the word katholikos that the word "catholic" comes. “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. The Didache, a Christian teaching manual for new converts, was discovered in the late 1800s. Many scholars agree that this book was probably written in the late first century no more than 60 to 70 years after the crucifixion of Christ. “Didache” is Koine Greek for “teaching.” The Didache is extremely important in proving the authenticity of the New Testament since it quotes extensively from the writings of the Apostles. The document contains the Lord's Prayer, which is identical with Matthew 6:9-13, and also prayers spoken during baptism and communion services of the early