sources for the dawn of monepiscopacy
DESCRIPTION
a review of primary literatureTRANSCRIPT
Sources for the
Historical Development
of Monepiscopacy
prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW,
Victoria, BC, Canada
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Sources for the Historical Development of Monepiscopacy prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW
Victoria, BC, Canada
Related Study:
The Early Church on Scripture and Tradition https://app.box.com/s/kragzxu57z7bmh2y6zq1aegyuixhpneg
Monepiscopacy definition: a form of church government in which a single governing bishop
or leader is appointed in a local church, region, or over an entire denomination.
FIRST CENTURY
Acts 14:23
The writer (Luke) of the book of Acts reports a plural number of elders in each church.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed
them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Acts 20:17-28
The writer (Luke) of the books of Acts speaks of elders whom Paul also calls bishops and speaks
only of a plural number of elders/bishops.
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ….Keep watch over yourselves and
all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (bishops). Be shepherds (pastors) of
the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Acts 20:30
Paul is quoted as saying that division or departure from truth, will arise within or among the
elders/bishops.
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after
them.
Galatians 2:6-8
Peter is one of three named pillars in the Jerusalem church, and Paul gives no special honor to Peter
as the head of the church.
As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me;
God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized
that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter
had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the
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circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John,
those esteemed as pillars….
Ephesians 4:8-13
Unity in the faith requires no earthly head (such as a pope or singular governing bishop) of the body
of Christ in a location or over a denomination, and none is listed among the gifts given to His people.
This is why it says: “When he ascended high, on he took many captives and gave gifts to his
people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly
regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill
the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Philippians 1:1
The letter to the church at Philippi mentions only two kinds of appointed officials: bishops (plural) and
deacons (plural).
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi,
together with the overseers (bishops) and deacons.
EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION: "Our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that
there would be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received
perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already been mentioned and
afterwards added the further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should
succeed to their ministry" (Letter from the church in Rome to the church in Corinth 44:1-
3).
QUESTION: What "provision" did the apostles add so that approved men could succeed
to the ministry of those first appointed by the apostles?
ANSWER: "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left
unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be
blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the
charge of being wild and disobedient. Since a bishop manages God’s household, he
must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not
violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what
is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the
trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound
doctrine and refute those who oppose it." - Titus 1:5-9
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1 Peter 3:1-2
Peter, a pillar (see Galatians 2:6-8) in the Jerusalem church as well as James and John called the
presbyter in 2nd and 3rd John, describes himself as a fellow-elder, and he writes to plural governing
elders in local churches telling them to be pastors of the flock under their care (governing
responsibility).
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also
will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds (pastors) of God's flock that is under your
care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to
be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
3 John 1:9 (First century)
The first known singular governing head of a local church is mentioned in the third letter of John.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
Letter of First Clement to the Church at Corinth, chapter 43 (First century)
There appears to be more than one bishop in the church at Corinth, as well as deacons. The term
bishop is used interchangeably with the word presbyter.
They (apostles) preached in country and city, and appointed their first converts, after testing them by
the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this any novelty, for Scripture
had mentioned bishops and deacons long before. For this is what Scripture says somewhere: "I will
appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith."
Now our apostles, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, knew that there was going to be strife over the
title of bishop. It was for this reason and because they had been given an accurate knowledge of the
future, that they appointed the officers we have mentioned. Furthermore, they later added a codicil
to the effect that, should these die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry. In
the light of this, we view it as a breach of justice to remove from their ministry those who were
appointed either by them [i.e., the apostles] or later on and with the whole church's consent,
by others of the proper standing, and who, long enjoying everybody's approval, have ministered to
Christ's flock faultlessly, humbly, quietly, and unassumingly. For we shall be guilty of no slight sin if
we eject from the episcopate men who have offered the sacrifices with innocence and holiness.
Happy, indeed, are those presbyters who have already passed on, and who ended a life of
fruitfulness with their task complete. For they need not fear that anyone will remove them from their
secure positions.
It is disgraceful, exceedingly disgraceful, and unworthy of your Christian upbringing, to have it
reported that because of one or two individuals the solid and ancient Corinthian Church is in revolt
against its presbyters.
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Didache (1st – 2nd century, with possible later updates), chapter 15
The writer knows only about two kinds of appointed positions, but no singular governing role.
Appoint for yourselves therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and
not lovers of money, and true and approved….
SECOND CENTURY
Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century), Vision 2
The writer knows only about a plural number of those who preside over the church at Rome, but no
singular position. The author knows of no singular governing bishop but knows Clement as a
correspondent elder.
Thou shalt therefore say unto the elders (presbyters) of the Church…. Thou shalt therefore write two
little books, and shalt send one to Clement, and one to Grapte. So Clement shall send to the foreign
cities, for this is his duty; while Grapte shall instruct the widows and the orphans. But thou shalt read
(the book) to this city along with the elders (presbyters) that preside over the Church.
Vision 3
Hear now with regard to the stones which are in the building. Those square white stones which fitted
exactly into each other, are apostles, bishops, teachers, and deacons, who have lived in godly
purity, and have acted as bishops and teachers and deacons chastely and reverently to the elect of
God. Some of them have fallen asleep, and some still remain alive.
Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians
Polycarp knows nothing about a singular governing bishop in the Philippian church at this time.
Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and
deacons, as unto God and Christ.
THE CHANGE FROM A GROUP OF GOVERNING BISHOPS/PRESBYTERS OVER EACH LOCAL
CHURCH TO A SINGULAR GOVERNING BISHOP OVER EACH LOCAL CHURCH
Ignatius, Letter to Polycarp
Ignatius is first to refer to the singular governing bishop, and he refers to Polycarp as the bishop of
the church of Smyrna.
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church of the Smyrnæans, or
rather, who has, as his own bishop, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ…
First Mention of Three Distinct Positions: Bishop, Prebytery, and Deacons
Ignatius (2nd century), writes letters to several churches and speaks of their singular governing
bishop, yet in writing to the church at Rome, he omits any such mention. He speaks of three distinct
positions: a singular bishop, a group of presbyters, and deacons.
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In other words, anyone who acts without the bishop and the presbytery and the deacons does not
have a clear conscience. – Letter to the Trallians
Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies), Ch 7
This teacher of Tertullian writes about two positions in the church: elders and deacons.
Similarly, also, in the Church, the elders attend to the department which has improvement for
its object; and the deacons to the ministerial.
Ch 13
Yet in this later chapter, he appears to list three “grades”.
Since, according to my opinion, the grades here in the Church, of bishops, presbyters, deacons,
are imitations of the angelic glory, and of that economy 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, will first minister [as deacons], then be
classed in the presbyterate, by promotion in glory (for glory differs from glory) till they grow into “a
perfect man.”
The Instructor, Book 3, Ch 12
In this passage he lists presbyters and bishops as separate and distinct “chosen persons.” Notice
also the reference to the “holy Bible” and indirect reference to Paul’s writings containing related
commands.
Innumerable commands such as these are written in the holy Bible appertaining to chosen persons,
some to presbyters, some to bishops, some to deacons, others to widows…
First Claim of a Bishop of Rome Over the Whole Church
A heavy charge is laid upon us, fellow-Christians, the care of the whole brotherhood. It is made
yet heavier through the reckless wickedness of abandoned men who are drawing others into crime
and involving themselves in the snares of death. It is gamblers to whom I refer. The fatherly goodness
of God has bestowed on us the authority of the Apostolate; of His heavenly mercy He has
ordained that we should occupy the chair by which we represent the Lord [Latin vicariam
Domini]; through our predecessor we have as ours that source of the true apostolate on which
Christ founded His Church, and we have received authority to bind and loose, and with due
regard to reason forgive sins. And on these very grounds we are warned by the doctrine of
salvation to take heed, lest if we constantly overlook the faults of sinners we suffer with them a like
penalty. - Pope Victor, De Aleatoribus
Irenaeus, Against Heresies
Irenaeus serves as a theological consultant to Victor who is rebuked for having excommunicated
churches because of using a different date than Rome to observe Easter. Victor, who inquired of
Irenaeus about other questions, relented and unity was restored.
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We should obey those presbyters in the Church who have their succession from the apostles,
and who, together with succession in the episcopate, have received the assured charisma of the
truth (certum charisma veritatis). – Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 4:26:2
…the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the
bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church (Rome),
on account of its preeminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, inasmuch as the apostolic
tradition has been preserved continuously by those [faithful men] who exist everywhere… -
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3, Ch 3, 2
The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed into the hands
of Linus the office of the episcopate. Of this Linus, Paul makes mention in the Epistles to
Timothy. To him succeeded Anacletus; and after him, in the third place from the apostles,
Clement was allotted the bishopric. This man, as he had seen the blessed apostles, and had been
conversant with them, might be said to have the preaching of the apostles still echoing [in his ears],
and their traditions before his eyes. Nor was he alone [in this], for there were many still remaining
who had received instructions from the apostles. In the time of this Clement, no small dissension
having occurred among the brethren at Corinth, the Church in Rome dispatched a most powerful
letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their faith, and declaring the tradition
which it had lately received from the apostles, proclaiming the one God, omnipotent, the Maker of
heaven and earth, the Creator of man, who brought on the deluge, and called Abraham, who led the
people from the land of Egypt, spoke with Moses, set forth the law, sent the prophets, and who has
prepared fire for the devil and his angels. From this document, whosoever chooses to do so, may
learn that He, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, was preached by the Churches, and may also
understand the tradition of the Church, since this Epistle is of older date than these men who are now
propagating falsehood, and who conjure into existence another god beyond the Creator and the
Maker of all existing things. To this Clement there succeeded Evaristus. Alexander followed
Evaristus; then, sixth from the apostles, Sixtus was appointed; after him, Telephorus, who
was gloriously martyred; then Hyginus; after him, Pius; then after him, Anicetus. Soter having
succeeded Anicetus, Eleutherius does now, in the twelfth place from the apostles, hold the
inheritance of the episcopate. In this order, and by this succession, the ecclesiastical tradition
from the apostles, and the preaching of the truth, have come down to us. And this is most
abundant proof that there is one and the same vivifying faith, which has been preserved in the
Church from the apostles until now, and handed down in truth.
But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen
Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna…
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3, Ch 3
THIRD CENTURY
Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics, Book One, Ch 32
While Irenaeus says Peter appointed Linus, Tertullian says Peter appointed Clement to succeed.
But if there be any (heresies) which are bold enough to plant themselves in the midst of the apostolic
age, that they may thereby seem to have been handed down by the apostles, because they existed in
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the time of the apostles, we can say: Let them produce the original records of their churches; let
them unfold the roll of their bishops, running down in due succession from the beginning in
such a manner that [that first bishop of theirs] bishop shall be able to show for his ordainer and
predecessor some one of the apostles or of apostolic men,—a man, moreover, who continued
stedfast with the apostles. For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their
registers: as the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John;
as also the church of Rome, which makes Clement to have been ordained in like manner by
Peter.
Tertullian, On Baptism, Ch17
For concluding our brief subject, it remains to put you in mind also of the due observance of giving
and receiving baptism. Of giving it, the chief priest (who is the bishop) has the right: in the next
place, the presbyters and deacons, yet not without the bishop’s authority, on account of the
honour of the Church, which being preserved, peace is preserved. Beside these, even laymen have
the right; for what is equally received can be equally given. Unless bishops, or priests, or deacons, be
on the spot, other disciples are called i.e. to the work. The word of the Lord ought not to be hidden by
any: in like manner, too, baptism, which is equally God’s property, can be administered by all.
But how much more is the rule of reverence and modesty incumbent on laymen—seeing that these
powers belong to their superiors—lest they assume to themselves the specific function of the bishop!
Emulation of the episcopal office is the mother of schisms.
Cyprian
For Cyprian the “chair of Peter” refers to priests and local bishops in succession from Peter, not
Popes in succession from Peter.
"The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’ he says, ‘that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. And to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of
heaven . . . ’ [Matt. 16:18–19]. On him [Peter] he builds the Church, and to him he gives the command
to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he
founded a single chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic
reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were that also which Peter was [i.e., apostles], but a primacy
is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. . . . If someone
does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he
[should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident
that he is in the Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; 1st edition [A.D. 251]).
"There is one God and one Christ, and one Church, and one chair founded on Peter by the word of
the Lord. It is not possible to set up another altar or for there to be another priesthood besides
that one altar and that one priesthood. Whoever has gathered elsewhere is scattering" (Letters
43[40]:5 [A.D. 253]).
"There [John 6:68–69] speaks Peter, upon whom the Church would be built, teaching in the name of
the Church and showing that even if a stubborn and proud multitude withdraws because it does not
wish to obey, yet the Church does not withdraw from Christ. The people joined to the priest and the
flock clinging to their shepherd are the Church. You ought to know, then, that the bishop is in the
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Church and the Church in the bishop, and if someone is not with the bishop, he is not in the
Church. They vainly flatter themselves who creep up, not having peace with the priests of God,
believing that they are secretly [i.e., invisibly] in communion with certain individuals. For the Church,
which is one and Catholic, is not split nor divided, but it is indeed united and joined by the cement
of priests who adhere one to another" (ibid., 66[69]:8).
FOURTH CENTURY
Constantine wants the then bishop of Rome, Miltiades, to judge a major dispute among bishops, but
when this fails, the Emperor orders bishops to gather at Arles.
Constantine’s Letter Summoning the Council of Rome (AD 313)
Constantine Augustus to Miltiades, bishop of Rome, and to Marcus.
Constantine sees himself as supporting unity against division and supports the role of the bishop of
Rome to hear and decide disputes concerning other bishops.
Many communications have been sent to me by Anulinus, the most illustrious proconsul of Africa, in
which it is said that Caecilian, bishop of the city of Carthage, has been accused by some of his
colleagues in Africa in many matters. It seems to me a very serious thing that in those provinces
which Divine Providence has freely entrusted to my devotion, and in which there is a great population,
the multitude are found following an ignoble course, and dividing, as it were, into two parties, and the
bishops are at variance. (19.) And so it has seemed good to me that Caecilian himself should
sail to Rome, with ten bishops who accuse him, and with ten others whom he may consider
necessary for his defense. At Rome, in the presence of yourselves and of Retecius and
Maternus and Marinus, your colleagues, whom I have commanded to hasten to Rome for this
purpose, he may be heard, as you may understand to be in accordance with the most holy law.
I have attached to my letter copies of the documents sent to me by Anulinus, and have sent them to
your above-mentioned colleagues, so that you can gain a full understanding of what has occurred.
When your firmness has read these, you will consider in what way the above-mentioned case
may be most accurately investigated and justly decided. For it does not escape your diligence
that my reverence for the legitimate catholic church will not permit me to allow schism or
division in any place. May the divinity of the great God preserve you, most honored sirs, for many
years (Eusebius, Church History, 10.5.18-20).
Constantine’s Letter Summoning the Council of Arles (AD 314)
Constantine Augustus to Chrestus, bishop of Syracuse.
Constantine calls a larger assembly of bishops at Arles after the judgment of the council of Rome fails
restore unity.
When certain men began wickedly and perversely to disagree among themselves in regard to the
holy worship and celestial power and catholic doctrine [a reference to the Donatist schism], I wished
to put an end to such disputes among them. So I commanded that certain bishops should be
sent from Gaul, and that the opposing parties who were contending persistently and incessantly with
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each other should be summoned from Africa. In this way the matter which appeared to be causing the
disturbance might be examined and decided with all care in their presence, and in the presence
of the bishop of Rome [this was the Council of Rome in 313].
But some of them, who seem to have forgotten both of their own salvation and of the reverence due
to the most holy religion, have not yet brought the hostilities to an end. They are unwilling to
conform to the judgment already passed [at Rome in 313], and assert that not enough bishops
were present to express their opinions and decisions. They assert that those [present at Rome] had
been too hasty in giving judgment, before all the things which ought to have been accurately
investigated had been examined. On this account it has happened that those very ones who ought to
hold brotherly and harmonious relations toward each other are shamefully, or rather abominably,
divided among themselves, and give occasion to be ridiculed by those men whose souls are
estranged from this most holy religion. Therefore it has seemed necessary to me to provide that
this dissension, which ought to have ceased after the judgment had been already given by
their own voluntary agreement, should now, if possible, be brought to an end by the presence
of a great number of bishops.
Since, therefore, we have commanded a number of bishops from a great many different places
to assemble in the city of Arles, before the 1st of August, we have thought proper to write to you
also. You should secure from the most illustrious Latronianus, corrector of Sicily, a public vehicle, and
you should choose two others of the second rank and take them with you. You should bring along
three servants who may serve you on the way, and arrive to the above-mentioned place before the
appointed day. It is disgraceful that shameful feuds have allowed this dispute to continue until the
present time. Hopefully it can be resolved when all sides have been heard from, both those who are
now at variance with one another, and those whom I have commanded to be present. By your
firmness and the wise unanimity and harmony of other present, this division can be healed, in
accordance with the faith, so that brotherly harmony may be restored, even if gradually.
Jerome (4th century), letter 146, to Evangelus
Jerome translated the Greek scriptures into the common Latin language (Vulgate) and explains how
he thinks the idea of the singular governing bishop emerged in Alexandria.
“Jerome refutes the opinion of those who make deacons equal to presbyters, but in doing so himself
makes presbyters equal to bishops. The date of the letter is unknown.” – NewAdvent Catholic Online
Encyclopedia
We read in Isaiah the words, “the fool will speak folly,” and I am told that some one has been mad
enough to put deacons before presbyters, that is, before bishops. For when the apostle clearly
teaches that presbyters are the same as bishops, must not a mere server of tables and of widows
Acts 6:1-2 be insane to set himself up arrogantly over men through whose prayers the body and
blood of Christ are produced? Do you ask for proof of what I say? Listen to this passage: “Paul
and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi with the bishops and deacons.” Do you wish for another instance? In the Acts of the
Apostles Paul thus speaks to the priests of a single church: “Take heed unto yourselves and
to all the flock, in the which the Holy Ghost has made you bishops, to feed the church of God
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which He purchased with His own blood.” And lest any should in a spirit of contention argue
that there must then have been more bishops than one in a single church, there is the
following passage which clearly proves a bishop and a presbyter to be the same. Writing to
Titus the apostle says: “For this cause left I you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that
are wanting, and ordain presbyters in every city, as I had appointed you: if any be blameless, the
husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be
blameless as the steward of God.” Titus 1:5-7 And to Timothy he says: “Neglect not the gift that is in
you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” 1 Timothy
4:14 Peter also says in his first epistle: “The presbyters which are among you I exhort, who am your
fellow presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall
be revealed: feed the flock of Christ. ..taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly,
according unto God.” In the Greek the meaning is still plainer, for the word used is επισκοποῦντες,
that is to say, overseeing, and this is the origin of the name overseer or bishop. But perhaps the
testimony of these great men seems to you insufficient. If so, then listen to the blast of the gospel
trumpet, that son of thunder, Mark 3:17 the disciple whom Jesus loved John 13:23 and who reclining
on the Saviour's breast drank in the waters of sound doctrine. One of his letters begins thus: “The
presbyter unto the elect lady and her children whom I love in the truth;” and another thus: “The
presbyter unto the well-beloved Gaius whom I love in the truth.”
When subsequently one presbyter was chosen to preside over the rest, this was done to remedy
schism and to prevent each individual from rending the church of Christ by drawing it to himself. For
even at Alexandria from the time of Mark the Evangelist until the episcopates of Heraclas and
Dionysius the presbyters always named as bishop one of their own number chosen by
themselves and set in a more exalted position, just as an army elects a general, or as deacons
appoint one of themselves whom they know to be diligent and call him archdeacon. For what function,
excepting ordination, belongs to a bishop that does not also belong to a presbyter? It is not the case
that there is one church at Rome and another in all the world beside. Gaul and Britain, Africa and
Persia, India and the East worship one Christ and observe one rule of truth. If you ask for authority,
the world outweighs its capital. Wherever there is a bishop, whether it be at Rome or at
Engubium, whether it be at Constantinople or at Rhegium, whether it be at Alexandria or at
Zoan, his dignity is one and his priesthood is one. Neither the command of wealth nor the
lowliness of poverty makes him more a bishop or less a bishop. All alike are successors of the
apostles.
But you will say, how comes it then that at Rome a presbyter is only ordained on the recommendation
of a deacon? To which I reply as follows. Why do you bring forward a custom which exists in one city
only? Why do you oppose to the laws of the Church a paltry exception which has given rise to
arrogance and pride? The rarer anything is the more it is sought after. In India pennyroyal is more
costly than pepper. Their fewness makes deacons persons of consequence while presbyters are less
thought of owing to their great numbers. But even in the church of Rome the deacons stand while the
presbyters seat themselves, although bad habits have by degrees so far crept in that I have seen a
deacon, in the absence of the bishop, seat himself among the presbyters and at social gatherings
give his blessing to them. Those who act thus must learn that they are wrong and must give heed to
the apostles words: “it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” Acts 6:2
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They must consider the reasons which led to the appointment of deacons at the beginning. They
must read the Acts of the Apostles and bear in mind their true position.
Of the names presbyter and bishop the first denotes age, the second rank. In writing both to Titus
and to Timothy the apostle speaks of the ordination of bishops and of deacons, but says not a
word of the ordination of presbyters; for the fact is that the word bishops includes presbyters
also. Again when a man is promoted it is from a lower place to a higher. Either then a presbyter
should be ordained a deacon, from the lesser office, that is, to the more important, to prove that a
presbyter is inferior to a deacon; or if on the other hand it is the deacon that is ordained presbyter,
this latter should recognize that, although he may be less highly paid than a deacon, he is superior to
him in virtue of his priesthood. In fact as if to tell us that the traditions handed down by the apostles
were taken by them from the old testament, bishops, presbyters and deacons occupy in the
church the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the Levites
in the temple.
Eusebius in the History of the Church, book 3, chapter 4
The 4th century writer, reading his contemporary understanding into earlier history, says here that
Timothy and Titus were the first singular governing bishops and extending over a region in the case
of Titus.
For he [Paul] had innumerable fellow-workers or --- as he himself called them --- fellow-soldiers. Most
of these he has honoured with an imperishable memory, paying them constant tribute in his own
letters. Again Luke in the Acts, in listing Paul's disciples, mentions them by name. We may instance
Timothy, stated to have been the first bishop appointed to the see of Ephesus, as was Titus to
the churches of Crete.
Epiphanius in his Panarion, 375 A.D.
Although the monepiscopacy prevailed historically by the 4th century, some Christians still held the
view taught in the 1st century.
Another was the heresy of the Aerians (not Arians), who, contrary to the usage of the Church, held
that there is no difference between bishops and presbyters, both being of the same order and
dignity; that the celebration of Easter is a Jewish superstition; that prayers and offerings should
not be made for the dead, and that fixed fasts should not be prescribed to Christians.
Council of Sardica, Canon 5, 343 A.D.
In this year, charges against a bishop could be appealed to the bishop of Rome.
BISHOP HOSIUS said: Decreed, that if any bishop is accused, and the bishops of the same region
assemble and depose him from his office, and he appealing, so to speak, takes refuge with the
most blessed bishop of the Roman church, and he be willing to give him a hearing, and think it
right to renew the examination of his case, let him be pleased to write to those fellow-bishops who are
nearest the province that they may examine the particulars with care and accuracy and give their
votes on the matter in accordance with the word of truth. And if any one require that his case be
heard yet again, and at his request it seem good to move the bishop of Rome to send presbyters
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a latere, let it be in the power of that bishop, according as he judges it to be good and decides
it to be right--that some be sent to be judges with the bishops and invested with his authority by
whom they were sent. And be this also ordained. But if he think that the bishops are sufficient for the
examination and decision of the matter let him do what shall seem good in his most prudent
judgment.
The bishops answered: What has been said is approved.
Conclusions
1. The churches founded by the apostles had a set or plurality of leaders termed elders/presbyters or
bishops used interchangeably.
2. The single governing overseer first emerged with Diotrephes mentioned in 3 John, in opposition to
the apostles.
3. From the letter called First Clement, we next hear of the mutiny against the presbyters at Corinth
by one or two rebels, and the local presbyters in Rome are still all called “bishops.”
4. The first mention chronologically of a singular ruling bishop in each church comes from the letters
of Ignatius, and Irenaeus refers to the succession of monepiscopal bishops in his fight against
Gnostic heresies. Eusebius in the fourth century also records a succession of singular bishops in
different churches but mentions no central ruling bishop or Pope over the whole church.
5. With Irenaeus we also see the primacy or elevated status of Rome as a source of true apostolic
teaching, and he says all churches must agree with the church in Rome perhaps because it’s
teaching can be trusted as coming from Paul and Peter, not because of any claim of authority over
the whole church. Irenaeus does not use Matthew 16:18 as his proof text although Victor, bishop of
Rome, who corresponded with Irenaeus, does so in 175 A.D.
6. What gave rise to the monepiscopacy? First, Ignatius, and then Irenaeus and Tertullian used it to
fight Gnostic heresy, so in that sense it appears to be a sincere defensive reaction.
7. In the 4th century, Jerome says the singular governing bishop idea emerged in Alexandria during
the first century. Did it emerge after or before the revolt in Corinth?
8. Standing Back:
The apostles established churches with a plurality of governing bishops/presbyters within
each local church. The first rebellion against the apostles and the assertion of singular
leadership in a local church occurs with Diotrephes in 3 John. The Didache, the letter called
First Clement, and Shepherd of Hermas, all have a plurality of governing bishops/presbyters
within the local church. Then the rebellion against the presbyters occurs in Corinth in the late
first century, and the church in Rome having a plurality of governing presbyters, is asked for
support who sends a letter to the Christian community in Corinth urging them to support their
presbyters. Even the title of the letter called First Clement comes from the traditional belief
that Clement was the singular governing bishop in Rome. The Shepherd of Hermas (dated 90
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to 155 A.D.) mentions a plurality of presbyters who preside over the church in Rome, and
Clement a presbyter and the correspondent for the local church, but he is not named as the
head of the church.
I believe the rebellion against plural governing presbyters/bishops in each church, spread
from Corinth and perhaps Alexandria, Egypt so that in the early second century Ignatius
sends letters to churches (including one to Rome in which he omits mention of a singular
governing bishop) requesting obedience to the singular governing bishop in each church. He
makes no of obedience to a head of the church in Rome if one existed.
In Irenaeus, this is accompanied by the idea of an unwritten oral apostolic tradition believed to
be equal to scripture. The necessary groundwork for the development of Catholicism, has
been laid. The extreme threat of heretical movements and conflicting theologies, makes the
hierarchy and unwritten apostolic tradition inevitable if not useful. (Much later, Jerome in the
4th century, makes a case for bishops being the same as presbyters, and he states that the
practice of choosing a singular governing bishop began in Alexandria, Egypt in the first
century to prevent disunity.)
By the time of Irenaeus and Victor in 175 A.D., little more than a hundred years after the
apostles, we see a singular governing bishop over the whole church and the idea of apostolic
succession as a defense against heresy. Although he mentions no singular ruling bishop over
the whole church, Eusebius in the 4th century speaks of the singular governing local and even
regional bishop and inserts it into earlier history as being the case with Timothy and Titus.
The monepiscopacy has matured and the prophecy of Paul is fulfilled that: Even from your own
number (presbyters/bishops) men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after
them. - Acts 20:30
What happened to Victor’s claim, assuming his translators are accurate and impartial? Such a
claim is curiously absent in Eusebius who is also the biographer for the Roman emperor
Constantine.
In the 3rd century, Tertullian uses the anti-heresy argument formulated by Irenaeus that the
succession of singular governing bishops originating with the apostles, is proof of truth in
contrast to heretical churches. The identical argument is used today by defenders of
Catholicism. Another perhaps ironic possibility is that this same argument coupled with the
notion of unwritten oral apostolic tradition, opened the door to the false teaching and traditions
of men.