Church office

Bishops, presbyters, deacons, and other ministries, and their authority.

Passages that substantially address this topic, in date order.

• Didache 10.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Prophets may give thanks freely.
• Didache 11.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Welcome teachers who teach these things.
• Didache 11.10Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A prophet who does not practice what he teaches is false.
• Didache 11.11Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A proven prophet who performs symbolic acts is left to God's judgment.
• Didache 11.12Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Ignore a prophet who asks for money for himself.
• Didache 11.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Reject teachers who undermine this teaching; welcome those who build it up.
• Didache 11.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Instructions on traveling apostles and prophets.
• Didache 11.4Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Receive every apostle as the Lord.
• Didache 11.5Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · An apostle who stays three days is a false prophet.
• Didache 11.6Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · An apostle who asks for money is a false prophet.
• Didache 11.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Do not judge a prophet speaking in the Spirit; that sin is unforgivable.
• Didache 11.8Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · True and false prophets are known by their conduct.
• Didache 11.9Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A prophet who orders a meal “in the Spirit” and eats it is false.
• Didache 12.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Welcome travelers in the Lord's name, but test them.
• Didache 13.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · A true prophet who settles among you deserves support.
• Didache 13.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · True teachers also deserve support.
• Didache 13.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruits of produce and flocks to the prophets.
• Didache 13.5Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruit of your baking.
• Didache 13.6Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give the firstfruit of wine and oil to the prophets.
• Didache 13.7Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Give a firstfruit of money, clothing, and all possessions.
• Didache 15.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Choose worthy bishops and deacons, who also serve as prophets and teachers.
• Didache 15.2Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Honor your bishops and deacons.
• Didache 15.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Correct one another peacefully; shun the unrepentant.
• Didache 4.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Honor the one who teaches you God's word as you would the Lord.
• 1 Clement 1.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Roman church apologizes for its delay in addressing the revolt at Corinth.
• 1 Clement 1.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthians once respected their leaders and elders, and their households were well ordered.
• 1 Clement 14.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Obey God, not the ringleaders of jealousy.
• 1 Clement 14.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Following troublemakers is dangerous.
• 1 Clement 15.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Side with those who truly seek peace.
• 1 Clement 16.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Christ belongs to the humble, not to those who lord it over his flock.
• 1 Clement 21.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to offend the proud than to offend God.
• 1 Clement 21.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Reverence Christ, respect leaders, honor elders, teach the young, guide wives in goodness.
• 1 Clement 3.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The young rose up against their elders.
• 1 Clement 37.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Serve God like soldiers.
• 1 Clement 37.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Soldiers obey their commanders in good order.
• 1 Clement 37.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Each soldier serves in his own rank.
• 1 Clement 37.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Great and small need each other.
• 1 Clement 37.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Like the body's members, all serve the whole.
• 1 Clement 38.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Let each serve the others with his own gift.
• 1 Clement 4.12Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Revolt against Moses destroyed Dathan and Abiram.
• 1 Clement 40.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Do everything in the order God has appointed.
• 1 Clement 40.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · God set times for worship.
• 1 Clement 40.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · God determined where and by whom worship is offered.
• 1 Clement 40.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Offerings made in order are acceptable.
• 1 Clement 40.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · In Israel's worship each order had its own role.
• 1 Clement 41.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Each should serve God in his own rank.
• 1 Clement 41.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Sacrifices were offered only in the appointed place and manner.
• 1 Clement 41.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Disobeying God's order brought death.
• 1 Clement 42.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The gospel came from God through Christ to the apostles.
• 1 Clement 42.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Christ from God, the apostles from Christ: all in good order.
• 1 Clement 42.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles went out preaching the coming kingdom.
• 1 Clement 42.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles appointed bishops and deacons from their first converts.
• 1 Clement 42.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Scripture foretold bishops and deacons.
• 1 Clement 43.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses too recorded God's commands, and the prophets confirmed them.
• 1 Clement 43.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses settled the priesthood dispute with the twelve rods.
• 1 Clement 43.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The blossoming rod would show God's choice.
• 1 Clement 43.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Aaron's rod blossomed and bore fruit.
• 1 Clement 43.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Moses acted to prevent disorder.
• 1 Clement 44.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles foresaw strife over the office of bishop.
• 1 Clement 44.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The apostles provided for others to succeed the leaders they appointed.
• 1 Clement 44.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Leaders rightly appointed and blameless should not be removed.
• 1 Clement 44.4Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Deposing blameless bishops is a serious sin.
• 1 Clement 44.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Blessed are the presbyters who died in office.
• 1 Clement 44.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthians removed blameless leaders.
• 1 Clement 46.5Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Why is there strife among you?
• 1 Clement 46.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · One God, one Christ, one Spirit, one calling.
• 1 Clement 46.7Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Division tears apart Christ's body.
• 1 Clement 46.9Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The schism has harmed many and still continues.
• 1 Clement 47.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The Corinthian church has rebelled against its presbyters because of one or two people.
• 1 Clement 51.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Seek forgiveness; the ringleaders should consider the common hope.
• 1 Clement 51.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The loving would rather suffer than harm others or the church's harmony.
• 1 Clement 51.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to confess than to harden one's heart like Korah's rebels.
• 1 Clement 54.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Who among you is truly noble?
• 1 Clement 54.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Let the ringleaders withdraw so the church can be at peace with its presbyters.
• 1 Clement 54.3Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Whoever steps aside will be honored everywhere.
• 1 Clement 56.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Pray for the offenders to yield to God's will.
• 1 Clement 57.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · The ringleaders must submit to the presbyters and repent.
• 1 Clement 57.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Better to be small in Christ's flock than to be cast out.
• 1 Clement 59.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Disobeying this letter, which speaks God's word, is dangerous.
• 1 Clement 63.1Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Submit and end the faction.
• 1 Clement 63.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Obey this letter, written through the Spirit, and end the quarrel.
• 2 Clement 17.3Anonymous · ca. 100–150 · Remember the teaching at home, and gather more often to grow in obedience.
• 2 Clement 17.5Anonymous · ca. 100–150 · Unbelievers will see Christ's glory and lament; their punishment has no end.
• To the Ephesians 1.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius has met the whole church in its bishop, Onesimus.
• To the Ephesians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius thanks the Ephesian delegates who came to him, especially the deacon Burrhus.
• To the Ephesians 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · United in obedience to the bishop and presbyters, the church will be holy.
• To the Ephesians 20.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · In the one Eucharistic bread, the “medicine of immortality,” the united church shares Christ's life.
• To the Ephesians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Christ expresses the Father's mind, and the bishops everywhere share Christ's mind.
• To the Ephesians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The presbyters are in tune with their bishop like strings on a lyre.
• To the Ephesians 4.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The whole church should be like a choir singing to the Father with one voice.
• To the Ephesians 5.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The church is joined to its bishop as the church to Christ and Christ to the Father.
• To the Ephesians 5.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Whoever stays away from the church's gathering lacks the bread of God.
• To the Ephesians 5.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who avoid the assembly are proud; to be subject to God, do not oppose the bishop.
• To the Ephesians 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop is to be received as the Lord who sent him.
• To the Magnesians 13.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stand firm in the teaching of the Lord and the apostles, with the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Magnesians 13.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Submit to the bishop and to one another, as Christ did to the Father.
• To the Magnesians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius has met the Magnesian delegates: bishop Damas, two presbyters, and the deacon Zotion.
• To the Magnesians 3.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The young bishop deserves full respect, since in obeying him the church obeys God.
• To the Magnesians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deceiving the bishop means deceiving the unseen God.
• To the Magnesians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who acknowledge the bishop but act without him are Christians in name only.
• To the Magnesians 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop presides in God's place, the presbyters as the apostles' council, and the deacons serve Christ.
• To the Magnesians 6.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Respect and love one another, united with the bishop and leaders.
• To the Magnesians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · As Christ did nothing without the Father, the church should do nothing without its bishop and presbyters.
• To the Magnesians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Gather as to one temple and one altar, to the one Christ who came from the one Father.
• To the Philadelphians, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the church at Philadelphia, united with its bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Philadelphians 1.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The Philadelphian bishop received his office from God and leads by quiet gentleness.
• To the Philadelphians 1.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius praises the bishop's steady, gentle character.
• To the Philadelphians 10.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The church at Antioch is at peace; Philadelphia should send a deacon as envoy.
• To the Philadelphians 10.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Other churches have already sent bishops, presbyters, and deacons to Antioch.
• To the Philadelphians 11.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius commends two companions, Philo and Rheus Agathopus.
• To the Philadelphians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Avoid division and follow the bishop as sheep follow their shepherd.
• To the Philadelphians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Those who belong to God are with the bishop; the repentant may return.
• To the Philadelphians 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · One Eucharist, one flesh and cup of Christ, one altar, one bishop.
• To the Philadelphians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · While among them, Ignatius cried out by the Spirit: heed the bishop, presbyters, and deacons.
• To the Philadelphians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius's call to unity came from the Spirit, not from human reports.
• To the Philadelphians 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · God forgives those who repent and return to the church's unity.
• To Polycarp, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.
• To Polycarp 1.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius urges Polycarp to care for his whole church, keep it united, and bear with everyone in love.
• To Polycarp 1.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should pray constantly, watch, speak to each person, and bear others' weaknesses.
• To Polycarp 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · A bishop must win over difficult people with gentleness, treating each according to need.
• To Polycarp 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should combine wisdom and innocence, care for visible needs, and pray for spiritual insight.
• To Polycarp 4.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop must care for widows and oversee everything in the church.
• To Polycarp 4.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Polycarp should gather the church more often and know every member by name.
• To Polycarp 5.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Celibacy must be kept humbly, and marriages should be made with the bishop's consent so that they are according to the Lord.
• To Polycarp 6.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius tells the whole church to obey its bishop, presbyters, and deacons and to work together as God's servants.
• To Polycarp 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks Polycarp to call a council and choose a messenger to go to Antioch.
• To Polycarp 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius, forced to sail on suddenly, asks Polycarp to write to the other churches on his behalf.
• To Polycarp 8.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius closes with a farewell and a greeting to Alce.
• To the Romans, inscriptionIgnatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the church at Rome with unusual honor.
• To the Romans 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks only to be offered to God, setting like the sun in the west to rise in God.
• To the Romans 4.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Unlike the apostles Peter and Paul, Ignatius is a condemned man who will be made free by martyrdom.
• To the Romans 9.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius asks prayer for his church in Syria, now shepherded by God alone.
• To the Smyrnaeans 11.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Smyrna should send an envoy to congratulate the church at Antioch on its peace.
• To the Smyrnaeans 11.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius urges the Smyrnaeans to send a messenger with a letter to Antioch.
• To the Smyrnaeans 12.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Greetings from Troas; praise for Burrhus, who helps Ignatius write.
• To the Smyrnaeans 12.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius greets the whole church in Christ's flesh and blood.
• To the Smyrnaeans 13.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Greetings to families and to the consecrated women.
• To the Smyrnaeans 8.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · A valid Eucharist is one held under the bishop or his appointee.
• To the Smyrnaeans 8.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Where the bishop is, there the people should be, as the catholic church is where Christ is.
• To the Smyrnaeans 9.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Honoring the bishop is honoring God.
• To the Trallians 1.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The Trallians' bishop Polybius visited Ignatius in Smyrna.
• To the Trallians 12.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stay united in prayer and support your bishop.
• To the Trallians 13.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Farewell: obey the bishop and presbyters, and love one another.
• To the Trallians 2.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Obeying the bishop as Christ is living according to Christ, who died for us.
• To the Trallians 2.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Do nothing without the bishop, and submit to the presbyters as to the apostles.
• To the Trallians 2.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deacons serve Christ's mysteries, not merely food and drink, and must be above reproach.
• To the Trallians 3.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Deacons, bishop, and presbyters together make the church.
• To the Trallians 3.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · The bishop's gentle bearing commands respect even from unbelievers.
• To the Trallians 3.3Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Ignatius writes gently, not presuming to command as an apostle.
• To the Trallians 7.1Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Stay close to God, the bishop, and the apostles' teaching.
• To the Trallians 7.2Ignatius of Antioch · ca. 110 (range ca. 105–135) · Acting apart from the bishop, presbyters, and deacons defiles the conscience.
• To the Philippians, inscriptionPolycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp and his fellow presbyters greet the church at Philippi.
• To the Philippians 11.1Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp grieves over Valens, a presbyter at Philippi who misused his office, and warns the church against greed.
• To the Philippians 11.2Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · A leader who cannot control his own greed cannot teach others, for greed is idolatry and the saints will judge the world.
• To the Philippians 11.4Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Polycarp prays that Valens and his wife repent and urges the church to restore them as straying members rather than treat them as enemies.
• To the Philippians 5.2Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Deacons must be blameless servants of God, following the Lord who became the servant of all and who promises that the faithful will reign with him.
• To the Philippians 5.3Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Young men must live pure lives, because the sexually immoral will not inherit God's kingdom, and they must be subject to the presbyters and deacons; the virgins must keep a pure conscience.
• To the Philippians 6.1Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Presbyters must be merciful shepherds who seek the lost, care for the weak, and judge fairly, remembering that all are sinners.
• Martyrdom of Polycarp 16.2Anonymous · ca. 156–160 · Polycarp was an apostolic and prophetic teacher and the bishop of Smyrna, whose words all came true.