{
"$type": "site.standard.document",
"bskyPostRef": {
"cid": "bafyreifz77ek3hkrrfr7ithu5jx2ooa3stt67qjcrthz6whtgzpe5hhjpa",
"uri": "at://did:plc:gl3kczkbg2rbkbyxzofc7k32/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgqrs7uunkd2"
},
"description": "\n\n\n\nIn this post I will quote from St. Irenaeus and Eusebius as they discuss Apostolic succession, Jesus’ relatives and their Davidic lineage, the Bishop of Rome, one of whom was Clement, Clement’s letter, the canon of Scripture, and the miracles that were still be observed. Irenaeus mentions how even in his lifetime, believers were raising the dead and speaking in tongues. Eusebius even records a very moving anecdote of the Apostle John’s love and care for lost and wayward believers. All emphas",
"path": "/jesus-relatives-nt-canon-clement-bishops-miracles/",
"publishedAt": "2026-03-11T01:54:27.000Z",
"site": "https://answeringislam.blog",
"tags": [
"**_Chapter 3_**",
"** _Church_**",
"** _truth_**",
"** _apostles_**",
"** _bishops_**",
"** _Churches_**",
"to demonstrate] the succession of these men to our own times** ; those who neither taught nor [ _knew_",
"_knew_ of anything like what these [[_heretics_",
"[_heretics_] rave about. For if the [ _apostles_",
"_heretics_] rave about. For if the [ _apostles_ had [ _known_",
"_apostles_ had [ _known_ hidden [ _mysteries_",
"_known_ hidden [ _mysteries_, which they were in the [ _habit_",
"_mysteries_, which they were in the [ _habit_ of imparting to _the perfect_ apart and privily from the rest, they would have delivered them especially to those to whom they were also committing the Churches themselves. For they were desirous that these men should be very perfect and blameless in all things, whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men; which men, if they discharged their functions honestly, would be a great boon [to the [ _Church_",
"_Churches_",
"_evil_",
"we do this, I say,] **by indicating that tradition derived from the**[** _apostles_**",
"** _apostles_****,_of the very great, the very ancient, and universally_**[** _known_**",
"** _known_**[** _Church_**",
"** _Church_**** _founded and organized at_**[** _Rome_**",
"** _Rome_**** _by the two most_**[** _glorious_**",
"** _glorious_**[** _apostles_**",
"** _apostles_**** _, Peter and_**[** _Paul_**",
"** _Paul_**; as also [by pointing out] the [ _faith_",
"by pointing out] the [ _faith_ preached to [ _men_",
"_faith_ preached to [ _men_, **which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the**[** _bishops_**",
"_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_**",
"** _bishops_****._For it is a matter of necessity that every_**[** _Church_**** _should agree with this_**[** _Church_**",
"_apostles_",
"_Church_",
"_episcopate_",
"_Paul_",
"** _bishopric_**",
"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 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_**",
"_apostles_. **In the time of this Clement, no small dissension having occurred among the brethren at**[** _Corinth_****, the**[** _Church_**",
"** _Corinth_****, the**[** _Church_****in Rome dispatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their**[** _faith_**",
"** _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_**",
"** _faith_****, and declaring the tradition which it had lately received from the**[** _apostles_**, proclaiming the one [ _God_",
"** _apostles_**, proclaiming the one [ _God_, [ _omnipotent_",
"_God_, [ _omnipotent_, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of [ _man_",
"_omnipotent_, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of [ _man_, who brought on the deluge, and called [ _Abraham_",
"_man_, who brought on the deluge, and called [ _Abraham_, who led the people from the land of [ _Egypt_",
"_Abraham_, who led the people from the land of [ _Egypt_, spoke with [ _Moses_",
"_Egypt_, spoke with [ _Moses_, set forth the law, sent the [ _prophets_",
"_Moses_, set forth the law, sent the [ _prophets_, and who has prepared fire for the [ _devil_",
"_prophets_, and who has prepared fire for the [ _devil_ and his [ _angels_",
"_devil_ and his [ _angels_. From this document, whosoever chooses to do so, may learn that He, the Father of [ _our Lord Jesus Christ_",
"_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_",
"_our Lord Jesus Christ_, was preached by the [ _Churches_, and may also understand the [ _apostolic_",
"_Churches_, and may also understand the [ _apostolic_ tradition of the [ _Church_",
"_apostolic_ tradition of the [ _Church_, since this Epistle is of older date than these men who are now propagating [ _falsehood_",
"_Church_, since this Epistle is of older date than these men who are now propagating [ _falsehood_, and who conjure into [ _existence_",
"_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_",
"_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_",
"_apostles_, Sixtus was appointed; after him, Telephorus, who was [ _gloriously_ [ _martyred_",
"_gloriously_ [ _martyred_; then [ _Hyginus_",
"_martyred_; then [ _Hyginus_; after him, [ _Pius_",
"_Hyginus_; after him, [ _Pius_; then after him, [ _Anicetus_",
"_Pius_; then after him, [ _Anicetus_. [ _Soter_",
"_Anicetus_. [ _Soter_ having succeeded [ _Anicetus_",
"_Soter_ having succeeded [ _Anicetus_, [ _Eleutherius_",
"_Anicetus_, [ _Eleutherius_ does now, in the twelfth place from the [ _apostles_",
"_Eleutherius_ does now, in the twelfth place from the [ _apostles_, hold the inheritance of the [ _episcopate_",
"_apostles_, hold the inheritance of the [ _episcopate_. In this order, and by this succession, the [ _ecclesiastical tradition_",
"_episcopate_. In this order, and by this succession, the [ _ecclesiastical tradition_ from the [ _apostles_",
"_ecclesiastical tradition_ from the [ _apostles_, and the preaching of the [ _truth_",
"_apostles_, and the preaching of the [ _truth_, have come down to us. And this is most abundant [ _proof_",
"_truth_, have come down to us. And this is most abundant [ _proof_ that there is one and the same vivifying [ _faith_",
"_proof_ that there is one and the same vivifying [ _faith_, which has been preserved in the [ _Church_",
"_faith_, which has been preserved in the [ _Church_ from the [ _apostles_",
"_Church_ from the [ _apostles_ until now, and handed down in [ _truth_",
"** _Polycarp_**",
"** _bishop_**",
"** _Smyrna_**",
"on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man,**[**_gloriously_**",
"**_gloriously_****and most nobly suffering**[** _martyrdom_**",
"** _martyrdom_****, departed this life, having always taught the things _which he had learned from the_**[** _apostles_**",
"** _apostles_**** _, and which the_**[** _Church_**",
"** _Church_**** _has handed down, and which alone are_**[** _true_**",
"** _true_**** _. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded_**[** _Polycarp_**",
"** _Polycarp_**** _down to the present time_ — a man who was of much greater weight, and a more steadfast **[** _witness_**",
"** _witness_****of**[** _truth_**",
"** _truth_**, than [ _Valentinus_",
"_Valentinus_, and [ _Marcion_",
"_Marcion_, and the rest of the [ _heretics_",
"_heretics_. He it was who, coming to [ _Rome_",
"_Rome_ in the time of [ _Anicetus_",
"_Anicetus_ caused many to turn away from the aforesaid [ _heretics_",
"_heretics_ to the [ _Church of God_",
"_Church of God_, proclaiming that he had received this one and sole [ _truth_",
"_truth_ from the [ _apostles_",
"_apostles_ — that, namely, which is handed down by the [ _Church_",
"_Church_. There are also those who heard from him that John, the [ _disciple_",
"_disciple_ of the Lord, going to bathe at [ _Ephesus_",
"_Ephesus_, and perceiving [ _Cerinthus_",
"_Cerinthus_ within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, _Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because_[ __Cerinthus__",
"__Cerinthus__ _, the enemy of the_[ __truth__",
"__truth__ _, is within._ **And**[** _Polycarp_**",
"** _Polycarp_****himself replied to**[** _Marcion_**",
"** _Marcion_****, who met him on one occasion, and said,__Do you__**[** __know__**",
"** __know__**** __me? I do__**[** __know__**",
"** __know__**** __you, the__**[** __first-born__**",
"** __first-born__**** __of__**[** __Satan__**",
"** __Satan__****. Such was the horror which the**[** _apostles_**",
"** _apostles_****and their**[** _disciples_**",
"** _disciples_****had** _against holding even verbal communication with any corrupters of the_[ _truth_",
"_truth_; as [ _Paul_",
"_Paul_ also says, __A man that is an__[ __heretic__",
"__heretic__ __, after the first and second admonition, reject;__[__knowing__",
"__knowing__ __that he that is such is subverted, and__[ __sins__",
"__sins__ __, being condemned of himself.__[__Titus 3:10__",
"__Titus 3:10__ ** _There is also a very powerful Epistle of Polycarp written to the Philippians_** , from which those who choose to do so, **_and are anxious about their_**[** _salvation_**",
"** _salvation_**** _, can learn the character of his_**[** _faith_**",
"** _faith_**** _, and the preaching of the_**[** _truth_**",
"** _truth_****. Then, again, the**[** _Church_**",
"** _Church_****in**[** _Ephesus_**",
"** _Ephesus_****, founded by**[** _Paul_**",
"** _Paul_****,_and having John remaining among them permanently until the times of_**[** _Trajan_**",
"** _Trajan_**** _, is a_**[** _true_**",
"** _true_**[** _witness_**",
"** _witness_**** _of the tradition of the_**[** _apostles_**",
"** _apostles_**. ([__Adversus haereses__",
"_martyrdom_",
"** _church_**",
"** _Rome_**",
"_Rome_",
"_Gentiles_",
"_churches_",
"__Illyricum__",
"_Romans 15:19_",
"** _Christ_**",
"** _circumcision_**",
"_Pontus_",
"_1 Peter 1:1_",
"_true_",
"_zealous_",
"_honored_",
"_parish_",
"_Ephesus_",
"_Antiochian_",
"_proofs_",
"_Gospel_",
"_Luke 1:2-3_",
"_Acts of the Apostles_",
"__Gospel__",
"_Crescens_",
"_Gaul_",
"** _2 Timothy 4:21_**",
"** _Clement_**",
"** _Paul_**",
"_Dionysius_",
"_believe_",
"_Paul's_",
"_Athenians_",
"_Corinth_",
"_bishop_",
"_church_",
"**_Clement_**",
"**_succeeded_**",
"**_Anencletus_**",
"** _bishop of the church of Rome_**",
"_apostle_",
"_Epistle to the Philippians_",
"**_church_**",
"** _know_**",
"** _churches_**",
"_Hegesippus_",
"_Domitian_",
"_unjustly_",
"_put to death_",
"_Nero_",
"_hatred and enmity_",
"_God_",
"** _persecution_**",
"** _Vespasian_**",
"_persecution_",
"_evangelist_",
"_Patmos_",
"**_Irenæus_**",
"** _Antichrist_**",
"** __Domitian__**",
"_faith_",
"_martyrdoms_",
"_Christ_",
"_heretics_",
"** _brother of the Saviour_**",
"** _family_**",
"** _Lord_**",
"** _Lord's brother_**",
"_Emperor Domitian_",
"** _Domitian_**",
"** _Herod_**",
"** _glory_**",
"** _judge_**",
"** _relatives_**",
"_Trajan_",
"** _Tertullian_**",
"__Domitian__",
"_Nero's_",
"_Domitian's_",
"_honors_",
"** _Christian_**",
"**_tradition_**",
"_church of Alexandria_",
"** _church of Rome_**",
"** _episcopate_**",
"** _Ignatius_**",
"** _known_**",
"** _Antioch_**",
"_Evodius_",
"** _brother of our Saviour_**",
"_Jesus_",
"** _orthodoxy_**",
"** _Irenæus_**",
"__disciple__",
"__Lord__",
"__Trajan__",
"__church__",
"__Ephesus__",
"__Paul__",
"_John the apostle_",
"_bishops_",
"_presbyter_",
"_baptized_",
"_seal of the Lord_",
"_robbery_",
"_salvation_",
"_fate_",
"_robbers_",
"_falsely_",
"_soul_",
"_wicked_",
"_robbers'_",
"_Lord_",
"** _oath_**",
"** _Saviour_**",
"** _prayers_**",
"** _fastings_**",
"_proof_",
"** _Gospel_**",
"** _Gospels_**",
"** _truly_**",
"_virtue_",
"** _divine Spirit_**",
"_knowledge_",
"_kingdom of heaven_",
"_mysterious_",
"** _carried_**",
"** _our Saviour_**",
"** _disciples_**",
"_ignorant_",
"_obliged_",
"_Mark_",
"_Gospels_",
"** _truthfulness_**",
"_evangelists_",
"_Saviour_",
"_temptation_",
"_chronology_",
"__John__",
"__Judea__",
"__Galilee__",
"_Matthew 4:12_",
"__Jesus__",
"_Mark 1:14_",
"_Herod_",
"__evil deeds__",
"_Luke 3:20_",
"__miracles__",
"_baptizing_",
"_John 3:23_",
"** _life_**",
"_Gospel of John_",
"_cause_",
"_truth_",
"_former of his epistles_",
"_New Testament_",
"** _holy_**",
"_former epistle of John_",
"** _second epistle of Peter_**",
"** _second_**",
"** _third of John_**",
"** _epistle of Barnabas_**",
"** _Teachings of the Apostles_**",
"_ecclesiastical tradition_",
"_known_",
"_ecclesiastical_",
"_know_",
"_orthodoxy_",
"__Church History__",
"_Book III_",
"_Anicetus_",
"_deacon_",
"_Eleutherus_",
"_Soter_",
"_prophets_",
"_heresies_",
"** _James the Just_**",
"** _martyrdom_**",
"** _Lord's_**",
"** _cousin of the Lord_**",
"_virgin_",
"_sects_",
"_Simon_",
"_Simonians_",
"_Dositheans_",
"_Marcionists_",
"_Valentinians_",
"_Basilidians_",
"** _false Christs_**",
"**_false prophets_**",
"** _unity of the Church_**",
"** _God_**",
"_Jews_",
"__circumcision__",
"__Israel__",
"__tribe of Judah__",
"__Christ__",
"__Essenes__",
"__Galileans__",
"__Samaritans__",
"__Sadducees__",
"__Pharisees__",
"** _Syriac_**",
"**_Gospel_**",
"** _convert_**",
"** _Hebrews_**",
"_Irenæus_",
"** _Soter_**",
"__contributions__",
"__churches__",
"** __bishop__**",
"** __Soter__**",
"__saints__",
"_Book IV_",
"_2 Timothy 4:21_",
"_church of Rome_",
"__apostles__",
"__Telesphorus__",
"__martyrdom__",
"__gloriously__",
"__Hyginus__",
"__Pius__",
"__Anicetus__",
"__Soter__",
"__Eleutherus__",
"__bishop__",
"__prayer__",
"** __fasting__**",
"** __prayers__**",
"** __saints__**",
"__Son of God__",
"__true__",
"__disciples__",
"__grace__",
"_demons_",
"_truly_",
"_evil spirits_",
"_laying on of hands_",
"** _persons_**",
"_Jesus Christ_",
"_Pontius Pilate_",
"_heathen_",
"** __Church__**",
"** __prophetic__**",
"** __gifts__**",
"** __Spirit__**",
"__mysteries__",
"__God__",
"** _presbyters_**",
"**_sacred Gospels_**",
"** _disciple_**",
"_disciple_",
"__Antichrist__",
"** _proofs_**",
"_knows_",
"__Scripture__",
"__believe__",
"__immortality__",
"_Marcion_",
"**__God__**",
"** __truth__**",
"__woman__",
"__Pontus__",
"__Ebionites__",
"__library__",
"__Alexandria__",
"__men__",
"_Scriptures_",
"** _glorified_**",
"** _Scriptures_**",
"_Nebuchadnezzar_",
"_Persians_",
"** _priest_**",
"** _prophets_**",
"** _Moses_**",
"_Book V_",
"**_Euesbius on the New Testament Canon_**",
"**_Irenaeus, Apostolic Succession & the Roman See_**",
"**_Irenaeus on the Unity of the Faith_**",
"**_St. Irenaeus, Scripture & the Church_**",
"**_Irenaeus on Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians_**",
"**_Irenaeus and John, the disciple of the Lord_**"
],
"textContent": "In this post I will quote from St. Irenaeus and Eusebius as they discuss Apostolic succession, Jesus’ relatives and their Davidic lineage, the Bishop of Rome, one of whom was Clement, Clement’s letter, the canon of Scripture, and the miracles that were still be observed. Irenaeus mentions how even in his lifetime, believers were raising the dead and speaking in tongues. Eusebius even records a very moving anecdote of the Apostle John’s love and care for lost and wayward believers. All emphasis will be mine.\n\n## Irenaeus\n\n**_Chapter 3_** A refutation of the heretics, from the fact that, in the various churches, a perpetual succession of bishops was kept up\n\n 1. > **It is within the power of all, therefore, in every**** _Church_****, who may wish to see the**** _truth_****, to contemplate clearly the tradition of the**** _apostles_****manifested throughout the whole world; and we are in a position to reckon up those who were by the**** _apostles_****instituted**** _bishops_****in the**** _Churches_****, and to demonstrate] the succession of these men to our own times** ; those who neither taught nor _knew_ of anything like what these _heretics_] rave about. For if the _apostles_ had _known_ hidden _mysteries_, which they were in the [ _habit_ of imparting to _the perfect_ apart and privily from the rest, they would have delivered them especially to those to whom they were also committing the Churches themselves. For they were desirous that these men should be very perfect and blameless in all things, whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men; which men, if they discharged their functions honestly, would be a great boon [to the [ _Church_], but if they should fall away, the direst calamity.\n\n 2. > Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the _Churches_, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an _evil_ self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; we do this, I say,] **by indicating that tradition derived from the**** _apostles_****,_of the very great, the very ancient, and universally_**** _known_**** _Church_**** _founded and organized at_**** _Rome_**** _by the two most_**** _glorious_**** _apostles_**** _, Peter and_**** _Paul_**; as also by pointing out] 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_**** _, on account of its preeminent authority [potiorem principalitatem]_**.\n\n\n\n\n> 3. 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 _apostolic_ 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_.\n\n 1. > 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_****, whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man,****_gloriously_****and most nobly suffering**** _martyrdom_****, departed this life, having always taught the things _which he had learned from the_**** _apostles_**** _, and which the_**** _Church_**** _has handed down, and which alone are_**** _true_**** _. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded_**** _Polycarp_**** _down to the present time_ — a man who was of much greater weight, and a more steadfast **** _witness_****of**** _truth_**, than _Valentinus_, and _Marcion_, and the rest of the _heretics_. He it was who, coming to _Rome_ in the time of _Anicetus_ caused many to turn away from the aforesaid _heretics_ to the _Church of God_, proclaiming that he had received this one and sole _truth_ from the _apostles_ — that, namely, which is handed down by the _Church_. There are also those who heard from him that John, the _disciple_ of the Lord, going to bathe at _Ephesus_, and perceiving _Cerinthus_ within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, _Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because_ __Cerinthus__ _, the enemy of the_ __truth__ _, is within._ **And**** _Polycarp_****himself replied to**** _Marcion_****, who met him on one occasion, and said,__Do you__**** __know__**** __me? I do__**** __know__**** __you, the__**** __first-born__**** __of__**** __Satan__****. Such was the horror which the**** _apostles_****and their**** _disciples_****had** _against holding even verbal communication with any corrupters of the_ _truth_; as _Paul_ also says, __A man that is an__ __heretic__ __, after the first and second admonition, reject;____knowing__ __that he that is such is subverted, and__ __sins__ __, being condemned of himself.____Titus 3:10__ ** _There is also a very powerful Epistle of Polycarp written to the Philippians_** , from which those who choose to do so, **_and are anxious about their_**** _salvation_**** _, can learn the character of his_**** _faith_**** _, and the preaching of the_**** _truth_****. Then, again, the**** _Church_****in**** _Ephesus_****, founded by**** _Paul_****,_and having John remaining among them permanently until the times of_**** _Trajan_**** _, is a_**** _true_**** _witness_**** _of the tradition of the_**** _apostles_**. ([__Adversus haereses__, Book III)\n\n\n\n\nEusebius\n\n## Chapter 2. The First Successor to St. Peter in Rome.\n\n 1. > After the _martyrdom_ of _Paul_ and of Peter, **Linus was the first to obtain the episcopate of the**** _church_****at**** _Rome_**. _Paul_ mentions him, when writing to Timothy from _Rome_, in the salutation at the end of the epistle…\n\n\n\n\n## Chapter 4. The First Successors of the Apostles.\n\n 1. > That _Paul_ preached to the _Gentiles_ and laid the foundations of the _churches_ _from Jerusalem round about even unto_ __Illyricum__ _,_ is evident both from his own words, _Romans 15:19_ and from the account which Luke has given in the Acts.\n\n 2. > **And in how many provinces Peter preached**** _Christ_****and taught the doctrine of the new covenant to those of the**** _circumcision_** is clear from his own words in his epistle already mentioned as undisputed, in which he writes to the Hebrews of the dispersion in _Pontus_, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. _1 Peter 1:1_\n\n 3. > But the number and the names of those among them that became _true_ and _zealous_ followers of the _apostles_, and were judged worthy to tend the _churches_ founded by them, it is not easy to tell, except those mentioned in the writings of _Paul_.\n\n 4. > For he had innumerable fellow-laborers, or _fellow-soldiers,_ as he called them, and most of them were _honored_ by him with an imperishable memorial, for he gave enduring testimony concerning them in his own epistles.\n\n 5. > Luke also in the Acts speaks of his friends, and mentions them by name.\n\n 6. > Timothy, so it is recorded, was the first to receive the episcopate of the _parish_ in _Ephesus_, Titus of the _churches_ in Crete.\n\n 7. > But Luke, who was of _Antiochian_ parentage and a physician by profession, and who was especially intimate with _Paul_ and well acquainted with the rest of the _apostles_, has left us, in two inspired books, _proofs_ of that spiritual healing art which he learned from them. One of these books is the _Gospel_, which he testifies that he wrote as those who were from the beginning eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered unto him, all of whom, as he says, he followed accurately from the first. _Luke 1:2-3_ The other book is the _Acts of the Apostles_ which he composed not from the accounts of others, but from what he had seen himself.\n\n 8. > And they say that _Paul_ meant to refer to Luke's _Gospel_ wherever, as if speaking of some gospel of his own, he used the words, _according to my_ __Gospel__ _._\n\n 9. > As to the rest of his followers, _Paul_ testifies that _Crescens_ was sent to _Gaul_; ** _but Linus, whom he mentions in the Second Epistle to Timothy_**** _2 Timothy 4:21_**** _as his companion at_**** _Rome_**** _, was Peter's successor in the episcopate of the_**** _church_**** _there_** , as has already been shown.\n\n 10. > 10. ** _Clement_**** _also, who was appointed third_**** _bishop_**** _of the_**** _church_**** _at_**** _Rome_**** _, was, as_**** _Paul_**** _testifies, his co-laborer and fellow-soldier_**.\n\n 11. > Besides these, that Areopagite, named _Dionysius_, who was the first to _believe_ after _Paul's_ address to the _Athenians_ in the Areopagus (as recorded by Luke in the Acts) is mentioned by another _Dionysius_, an ancient writer and pastor of the _parish_ in _Corinth_, as the first _bishop_ of the _church_ at Athens…\n\n\n\n\n## Chapter 15. Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome.\n\nIn the twelfth year of the same reign **_Clement_** **_succeeded_** **_Anencletus_****after the latter had been**** _bishop of the church of Rome_****for twelve years**. The _apostle_ in his _Epistle to the Philippians_ informs us that this Clement was his fellow-worker. His words are as follows: _With Clement and the rest of my fellow-laborers whose names are in the book of life._\n\n## Chapter 16. The Epistle of Clement.\n\n**_There is extant an epistle of this Clement which is acknowledged to be genuine and is of considerable length and of remarkable merit. He wrote it in the name of the_**** _church_**** _of Rome_ to the ****_church_****of Corinth** , when a sedition had arisen in the latter _church_. **We**** _know_****that this epistle also has been publicly used in a great many**** _churches_****both in former times and in our own**. And of the fact that a sedition did take place in the _church_ of Corinth at the time referred to _Hegesippus_ is a trustworthy witness.\n\n## Chapter 17. The Persecution under Domitian.\n\n_Domitian_, having shown great cruelty toward many, and having _unjustly_ _put to death_ no small number of well-born and notable men at _Rome_, and having without cause exiled and confiscated the property of a great many other illustrious men, finally became a successor of _Nero_ in his _hatred and enmity_ toward _God_. **He was in fact the second that stirred up a**** _persecution_****against us, although his father**** _Vespasian_****had undertaken nothing prejudicial to us**.\n\n## **_Chapter 18. The Apostle John and the Apocalypse_**.\n\n 1. It is said that in this _persecution_ the apostle and _evangelist_ John, who was still alive, was condemned to dwell on the island of _Patmos_ in consequence of his testimony to the divine word.\n\n 2. **.****_Irenæus_****, in the fifth book of his work Against Heresies, where he discusses the number of the name of**** _Antichrist_****which is given in the so-called Apocalypse of John** , speaks as follows concerning him:\n\n\n\n\n> 3. _If it were necessary for his name to be proclaimed openly at the present time, it would have been declared by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen not long ago,**but almost in our own generation, at the end of the reign of**_** __Domitian__** _._\n\n 1. To such a degree, indeed, did the teaching of our _faith_ flourish at that time that even those writers who were far from our religion did not hesitate to mention in their histories the _persecution_ and the _martyrdoms_ which took place during it.\n\n 2. And they, indeed, accurately indicated the time. For they recorded that in the fifteenth year of _Domitian_ Flavia Domitilla, daughter of a sister of Flavius Clement, who at that time was one of the consuls of Rome, was exiled with many others to the island of Pontia in consequence of testimony borne to _Christ_.\n\n\n\n\n## Chapter 19. Domitian commands the Descendants of David to be slain.\n\nBut when this same _Domitian_ had commanded that the descendants of David should be slain, an ancient tradition says that some of the _heretics_ brought accusation **against the descendants of Jude (_said to have been a_**** _brother of the Saviour_**** _according to the flesh_), on the ground that they were of the lineage of David _and were related to_**** _Christ_**** _himself_**. _Hegesippus_ relates these facts in the following words.\n\n## Chapter 20. The Relatives of our Saviour.\n\n1. **_Of the_**** _family_**** _of the_**** _Lord_**** _there were still living the grandchildren of Jude_ , who is said to have been the **** _Lord's brother_****_according to the flesh_**.\n\n> 2. **Information was given that they belonged to the**** _family_****of David** , and they were brought to the _Emperor Domitian_ by the Evocatus. **For**** _Domitian_****feared the coming of**** _Christ_****as**** _Herod_****also had feared it. And he asked them if they were descendants of David, and they confessed that they were**. Then he asked them how much property they had, or how much money they owned. And both of them answered that they had only nine thousand denarii, half of which belonged to each of them.\n>\n> 4. And this property did not consist of silver, but of a piece of land which contained only thirty-nine acres, and from which they raised their taxes and supported themselves by their own labor.\n>\n> 5. Then they showed their hands, exhibiting the hardness of their bodies and the callousness produced upon their hands by continuous toil as evidence of their own labor.\n>\n> 6. And when they were asked **concerning**** _Christ_****and his kingdom** , of what sort it was and where and when it was to appear, **they answered that it was not a temporal nor an earthly kingdom,_but a heavenly and angelic one, which would appear at the end of the world, when he should come in_**** _glory_**** _to_**** _judge_**** _the quick and the dead, and to give unto every one according to his works_**.\n>\n> 7. Upon hearing this, _Domitian_ did not pass judgment against them, **but, despising them as of no account, he let them go, and by a decree put a stop to the**** _persecution_****of the**** _Church_**.\n>\n> 8. But when they were released **they ruled the**** _churches_****because they were witnesses and were also**** _relatives_****of the**** _Lord_**. And peace being established, they lived until the time of _Trajan_. These things are related by _Hegesippus_.\n>\n> 9. ** _Tertullian_****also has mentioned**** _Domitian_****in the following words** : __Domitian__ also, who possessed a share of _Nero's_ cruelty, attempted once to do the same thing that the latter did. But because he had, I suppose, some intelligence, he very soon ceased, and even recalled those whom he had banished.\n>\n> 10. But after _Domitian_ had reigned fifteen years, and Nerva had succeeded to the empire, the Roman Senate, according to the writers that record the history of those days, voted that _Domitian's_ _honors_ should be cancelled, and that those who had been _unjustly_ banished should return to their homes and have their property restored to them.\n>\n> 11. It was at this time that the apostle John returned from his banishment in the island and took up his abode at _Ephesus_, **according to an ancient**** _Christian_** **_tradition_**.\n\n## Chapter 21. Cerdon becomes the Third Ruler of the Church of Alexandria.\n\n1. After Nerva had reigned a little more than a year he was succeeded by _Trajan_. It was during the first year of his reign that Abilius, who had ruled the _church of Alexandria_ for thirteen years, was succeeded by Cerdon.\n\n2. He was the third that presided over that _church_ after Annianus, who was the first. **_At that time Clement still ruled the_**** _church of Rome_**** _, being also the third that held the_**** _episcopate_**** _there after_**** _Paul_**** _and Peter_**.\n\n3. Linus was the first, and after him came Anencletus.\n\n## Chapter 22. Ignatius, the Second Bishop of Antioch.\n\n**_At this time_**** _Ignatius_**** _was_**** _known_**** _as the second_**** _bishop_**** _of_**** _Antioch_**, _Evodius_ having been the first. Symeon likewise was at that time the second ruler of the _church_ of Jerusalem, **_the_**** _brother of our Saviour_**** _having been the first_**.\n\n## Chapter 23. Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.\n\n1. At that time the apostle and _evangelist_ John, the one whom _Jesus_ loved, was still living in Asia, and governing the _churches_ of that region, having returned after the death of _Domitian_ from his exile on the island.\n\n2. And that he was still alive at that time may be established by the testimony of two witnesses. **_They should be trustworthy who have maintained the_**** _orthodoxy_**** _of the_**** _Church_**** _; and such indeed were_**** _Irenæus_**** _and Clement of Alexandria_**.\n\n> 3. **The former in the second book of his work Against Heresies, writes as follows** : _And all the elders that associated with John the_ __disciple__ _of the_ __Lord__ _in Asia bear witness that John delivered it to them. For he remained among them until the time of_ __Trajan__ _._\n>\n> 4. **And in the third book of the same work he attests the same thing in the following words** : _But the_ __church__ _in_ __Ephesus__ _also, which was founded by_ __Paul__ _, and where John remained until the time of_ __Trajan__ _, is a faithful witness of the apostolic tradition._\n\n5. **Clement likewise in his book entitled _What Rich Man can be saved?_** indicates the time, and subjoins a narrative which is most attractive to those that enjoy hearing what is beautiful and profitable. Take and read the account which runs as follows:\n\n> 6. Listen to a tale, which is not a mere tale, but a narrative concerning _John the apostle_, which has been handed down and treasured up in memory. For when, after the tyrant's death, he returned from the isle of _Patmos_ to _Ephesus_, he went away upon their invitation to the neighboring territories of the _Gentiles_, to appoint _bishops_ in some places, in other places to set in order whole _churches_, elsewhere to choose to the ministry some one of those that were pointed out by the Spirit.\n>\n> 7. When he had come to one of the cities not far away (the name of which is given by some ), and had consoled the brethren in other matters, he finally turned to the _bishop_ that had been appointed, and seeing a youth of powerful physique, of pleasing appearance, and of ardent temperament, he said, 'This one I commit to you in all earnestness in the presence of the _Church_ and with _Christ_ as witness.' And when the _bishop_ had accepted the charge and had promised all, he repeated the same injunction with an appeal to the same witnesses, and then departed for Ephesus.\n>\n> 8. But the _presbyter_ taking home the youth committed to him, reared, kept, cherished, and finally _baptized_ him. After this he relaxed his stricter care and watchfulness, with the idea that in putting upon him the _seal of the Lord_ he had given him a perfect protection.\n>\n> 9. But some youths of his own age, idle and dissolute, and accustomed to _evil_ practices, corrupted him when he was thus prematurely freed from restraint. At first they enticed him by costly entertainments; then, when they went forth at night for _robbery_, they took him with them, and finally they demanded that he should unite with them in some greater crime.\n>\n> 10. He gradually became accustomed to such practices, and on account of the positiveness of his character, leaving the right path, and taking the bit in his teeth like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, he rushed the more violently down into the depths.\n>\n> 11. And finally despairing of _salvation_ in _God_, he no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having committed some great crime, since he was now lost once for all, he expected to suffer a like _fate_ with the rest. Taking them, therefore, and forming a band of _robbers_, he became a bold bandit-chief, the most violent, most bloody, most cruel of them all.\n>\n> 12. Time passed, and some necessity having arisen, they sent for John. But he, when he had set in order the other matters on account of which he had come, said, 'Come, O _bishop_, restore us the deposit which both I and _Christ_ committed to you, the _church_, over which you preside, being witness.'\n>\n> 13. But the _bishop_ was at first confounded, thinking that he was _falsely_ charged in regard to money which he had not received, and he could neither _believe_ the accusation respecting what he had not, nor could he disbelieve John. But when he said, 'I demand the young man and the _soul_ of the brother,' the old man, groaning deeply and at the same time bursting into tears, said, 'He is dead.' 'How and what kind of death?' 'He is dead to _God_,' he said; 'for he turned _wicked_ and abandoned, and at last a robber. And now, instead of the _church_, he haunts the mountain with a band like himself.'\n>\n> 14. But the Apostle rent his clothes, and beating his head with great lamentation, he said, 'A fine guard I left for a brother's _soul_! But let a horse be brought me, and let some one show me the way.' He rode away from the _church_ just as he was, and coming to the place, he was taken prisoner by the _robbers'_ outpost.\n>\n> 15. He, however, neither fled nor made entreaty, but cried out, 'For this did I come; lead me to your captain.'\n\n> 16. The latter, meanwhile, was waiting, armed as he was. But when he recognized John approaching, he turned in shame to flee.\n>\n> 17. But John, forgetting his age, pursued him with all his might, crying out, 'Why, my son, do you flee from me, your own father, unarmed, aged? Pity me, my son; fear not; you have still hope of life. I will give account to _Christ_ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death as the _Lord_ suffered death for us. For you will I give up my life. Stand, _believe_; _Christ_ has sent me.'\n>\n> 18. And he, when he heard, first stopped and looked down; then he threw away his arms, and then trembled and wept bitterly. And when the old man approached, he embraced him, making confession with lamentations as he was able, baptizing himself a second time with tears, and concealing only his right hand.\n>\n> 19. But John, pledging himself, **and assuring him on**** _oath_****that he would find forgiveness with the**** _Saviour_****, besought him, fell upon his knees, kissed his right hand itself as if now purified by repentance, and led him back to the**** _church_****. And making intercession for him with copious**** _prayers_****, and struggling together with him in continual**** _fastings_****, and subduing his mind by various utterances, he did not depart, as they say, until he had restored him to the**** _church_**, furnishing a great example of _true_ repentance and a great _proof_ of regeneration, a trophy of a visible resurrection.\n\n## Chapter 24. The Order of the Gospels.\n\n> 1. This extract from Clement I have inserted here for the sake of the history and for the benefit of my readers. **Let us now point out the undisputed writings of this apostle**.\n>\n> 2. **_And in the first place his_**** _Gospel_**** _, which is_**** _known_**** _to all the_**** _churches_**** _under heaven, must be acknowledged as genuine. That it has with good reason been put by the ancients in the fourth place, after the other three_**** _Gospels_**** _, may be made evident in the following way_**.\n>\n> 3. **Those great and**** _truly_****divine men, I mean the**** _apostles_****of**** _Christ_****, were purified in their life** , and were adorned with every _virtue_ of the _soul_, but were uncultivated in speech. They were confident indeed in their trust **_in the divine and wonder-working power which was granted unto them by the_**** _Saviour_**** _, but they did not_**** _know_**** _how, nor did they attempt to proclaim the doctrines of their teacher in studied and artistic language, but employing only the demonstration of the_**** _divine Spirit_**** _, which worked with them, and the wonder-working power of_**** _Christ_**** _, which was displayed through them_** , they published the _knowledge_ of the _kingdom of heaven_ throughout the whole world, **_paying little attention to the composition of written works_**.\n>\n> 4. And this they did because **they were assisted in their ministry _by one greater than man_. **** _Paul_****, for instance, who surpassed them all in vigor of expression and in richness of thought** , committed to writing no more than the briefest epistles, although he had innumerable _mysterious_ matters to communicate, **for he had attained even unto the sights of the third heaven, had been**** _carried_****to the very paradise of God, and had been deemed worthy to hear unspeakable utterances there**.\n>\n> 5. **And the rest of the followers of**** _our Saviour_****, the twelve**** _apostles_****, the seventy**** _disciples_****, and countless others besides** , were not _ignorant_ of these things. **Nevertheless, of all the**** _disciples_****of the**** _Lord_****,_only Matthew and John have left us written memorials_ , and they, tradition says, were led to write _only under the pressure of necessity_**.\n>\n> 6. For Matthew, who had at first preached to the Hebrews, when he was about to go to other peoples, **_committed his_**** _Gospel_**** _to writing in his native tongue_** , and thus compensated those whom he was _obliged_ to leave for the loss of his presence.\n\n> 7. And when _Mark_ and Luke had already published their _Gospels_, **_they say that John, who had employed all his time in proclaiming the_**** _Gospel_**** _orally_** , finally proceeded to write for the following reason. The three _Gospels_ already mentioned having come into the hands of all and into his own too, **they say that he accepted them and bore witness to their**** _truthfulness_****; but that there was lacking in them an account of the deeds done by**** _Christ_****at the beginning of his ministry**.\n>\n> 8. And this indeed is _true_. For it is evident that the three _evangelists_ recorded only the deeds done by the _Saviour_ for one year after the imprisonment of John the Baptist, and indicated this in the beginning of their account.\n>\n> 9. For Matthew, after the forty days' fast and the _temptation_ which followed it, indicates the _chronology_ of his work when he says: _Now when he heard that_ __John__ _was delivered up he withdrew from_ __Judea__ _into_ __Galilee__ _._ _Matthew 4:12_\n>\n> 10. _Mark_ likewise says: _Now after that John was delivered up_ __Jesus__ _came into_ __Galilee__ _._ _Mark 1:14_ And Luke, before commencing his account of the deeds of _Jesus_, similarly marks the time, when he says that _Herod_, _adding to all the_ __evil deeds__ _which he had done, shut up_ __John__ _in prison._ _Luke 3:20_\n>\n> 11. They say, therefore, that the apostle John, being asked to do it for this reason, gave in his _Gospel_ an account of the period which had been omitted by the earlier _evangelists_, and of the deeds done by the _Saviour_ during that period; that is, of those which were done before the imprisonment of the Baptist. And this is indicated by him, they say, in the following words: _This beginning of_ __miracles__ _did_ __Jesus__; and again when he refers to the Baptist, in the midst of the deeds of _Jesus_, as still _baptizing_ in Ænon near Salim; _John 3:23_ where he states the matter clearly in the words: _For_ __John__ _was not yet cast into prison._\n>\n> 12. John accordingly, in his _Gospel_, records the deeds of _Christ_ which were performed before the Baptist was cast into prison, but the other three _evangelists_ mention the events which happened after that time.\n>\n> 13. One who understands this can no longer think that the _Gospels_ are at variance with one another, **_inasmuch as the_**** _Gospel_**** _according to John contains the first acts of_**** _Christ_**** _, while the others give an account of the latter part of his_**** _life_**. And the genealogy of our Saviour according to the flesh John quite naturally omitted, because it had been already given by Matthew and Luke, and began with the doctrine of his divinity, which had, as it were, been reserved for him, as their superior, **_by the_**** _divine Spirit_**.\n>\n> 14. These things may suffice, which we have said concerning the _Gospel of John_. The _cause_ which led to the composition of the _Gospel_ of Mark has been already stated by us.\n>\n> 15. But as for Luke, in the beginning of his _Gospel_, he states himself the reasons which led him to write it. He states that since many others had more rashly undertaken to compose a narrative of the events of which he had acquired perfect _knowledge_, he himself, feeling the necessity of freeing us from their uncertain opinions, delivered in his own _Gospel_ an accurate account of those events in regard to which he had learned the full _truth_, **_being aided by his intimacy and his stay with_**** _Paul_**** _and by his acquaintance with the rest of the_**** _apostles_**.\n>\n> 16. So much for our own account of these things. **_But in a more fitting place we shall attempt to show by quotations from the ancients, what others have said concerning them_**.\n\n17. But of the writings of John, not only his _Gospel_, but also the _former of his epistles_, has been accepted without dispute both now and in ancient times. But the other two are disputed.\n\n18. In regard to the Apocalypse, the opinions of most men are still divided. But at the proper time this question likewise shall be decided from the testimony of the ancients.\n\n## Chapter 25. The Divine Scriptures that are accepted and those that are not.\n\n1. Since we are dealing with this subject it is proper to sum up the writings of the _New Testament_ which have been already mentioned. **First then must be put the**** _holy_****quaternion of the**** _Gospels_****; following them the Acts of the Apostles**.\n\n2. After this must be reckoned the epistles of _Paul_; next in order the extant _former epistle of John_, and likewise the epistle of Peter, must be maintained. After them is to be placed, **_if it really seem proper, the Apocalypse of John, concerning which we shall give the different opinions at the proper time_**. These then belong among the accepted writings.\n\n3. **Among the disputed writings,_which are nevertheless recognized by many_ , are extant _the so-called epistle of James and that of Jude, also the_**** _second epistle of Peter_**** _, and those that are called the_**** _second_**** _and_**** _third of John_**, whether they belong to the _evangelist_ ** _or to another person of the same name_**.\n\n4. Among the rejected writings must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, **and the so-called Shepherd, and the Apocalypse of Peter, and in addition to these the extant**** _epistle of Barnabas_****, and the so-called**** _Teachings of the Apostles_****; and besides, as I said,_the Apocalypse of John, if it seem proper, which some, as I said, reject, but which others class with the accepted books_**.\n\n5. And among these some have placed also the Gospel according to the Hebrews, with which those of the Hebrews that have accepted _Christ_ are especially delighted. **And all these may be reckoned among the disputed books**.\n\n6. But we have nevertheless felt compelled to give a catalogue of these also, distinguishing those works which according to _ecclesiastical tradition_ are _true_ and genuine and commonly accepted, from those others which, although not canonical but disputed, are yet at the same time _known_ to most _ecclesiastical_ writers — we have felt compelled to give this catalogue in order that we might be able to _know_ both these works and those that are cited by the _heretics_ under the name of the _apostles_, including, for instance, such books as the Gospels of Peter, of Thomas, of Matthias, or of any others besides them, and the Acts of Andrew and John and the other _apostles_, which no one belonging to the succession of _ecclesiastical_ writers has deemed worthy of mention in his writings.\n\n7. And further, the character of the style is at variance with apostolic usage, and both the thoughts and the purpose of the things that are related in them are so completely out of accord with _true_ _orthodoxy_ that they clearly show themselves to be the fictions of _heretics_. Wherefore they are not to be placed even among the rejected writings, but are all of them to be cast aside as absurd and impious.\n\n> Let us now proceed with our history. (__Church History__, _Book III_)\n\n## Chapter 22. Hegesippus and the Events which he mentions.\n\n1. _Hegesippus_ in the five books of Memoirs which have come down to us has left a most complete record of his own views. In them he states that on a journey to _Rome_ he met a great many _bishops_, **and that he received the same doctrine from all**. It is fitting to hear what he says after making some remarks **about the epistle of Clement to the Corinthians**.\n\n2. His words are as follows: And the church of Corinth continued in the _true_ _faith_ until Primus was _bishop_ in _Corinth_. I conversed with them on my way to _Rome_, and abode with the Corinthians many days, during which we were mutually refreshed in the _true_ doctrine.\n\n3. And when I had come to _Rome_ I remained there until _Anicetus_, whose _deacon_ was _Eleutherus_. And _Anicetus_ was succeeded by _Soter_, and he by _Eleutherus_. In every succession, and in every city that is held which is preached by the law and the _prophets_ and the _Lord_.\n\n> 4. The same author also describes the beginnings of the _heresies_ which arose in his time, in the following words: **And after**** _James the Just_****had suffered**** _martyrdom_**, as the _Lord_ had also on the same account, **Symeon,_the son of the_**** _Lord's_**** _uncle, Clopas_ , was appointed the next **** _bishop_**. All proposed him as second _bishop_ ** _because he was a_**** _cousin of the Lord_**.\n>\n> Therefore, they called the _Church_ a _virgin_, for it was not yet corrupted by vain discourses.\n>\n> 5. But Thebuthis, because he was not made _bishop_, began to corrupt it. He also was sprung from the seven _sects_ among the people, like _Simon_, from whom came the _Simonians_, and Cleobius, from whom came the Cleobians, and Dositheus, from whom came the _Dositheans_, and Gorthæus, from whom came the Goratheni, and Masbotheus, from whom came the Masbothæans. From them sprang the Menandrianists, and _Marcionists_, and Carpocratians, and _Valentinians_, and _Basilidians_, and Saturnilians. Each introduced privately and separately his own peculiar opinion. **From them came**** _false Christs_****,****_false prophets_****, false**** _apostles_****, who divided the**** _unity of the Church_****by corrupt doctrines uttered against**** _God_****and against his**** _Christ_**.\n>\n> 6. The same writer also records the ancient _heresies_ which arose among the _Jews_, in the following words: _There were, moreover, various opinions in the_ __circumcision__ _, among the children of_ __Israel__ _. The following were those that were opposed to the_ __tribe of Judah__ _and the_ __Christ__ _:___Essenes__ _,___Galileans__ _, Hemerobaptists, Masbothæans,___Samaritans__ _,___Sadducees__ _,___Pharisees__.\n>\n> 7. And he wrote of many other matters, which we have in part already mentioned, introducing the accounts in their appropriate places. **And from the**** _Syriac_** **_Gospel_****according to the Hebrews he quotes some passages in the Hebrew tongue, showing that he was a**** _convert_****from the**** _Hebrews_**, and he mentions other matters as taken from the unwritten tradition of the _Jews_.\n>\n> 8. And not only he, but also _Irenæus_ and the whole company of the ancients, called the Proverbs of Solomon All-virtuous Wisdom. And when speaking of the books called Apocrypha, he records that some of them were composed in his day by certain _heretics_. But let us now pass on to another.\n\n## Chapter 23. Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, and the Epistles which he wrote…\n\n> 9. There is extant also another epistle written by Dionysius to the Romans, **and addressed to**** _Soter_****, who was**** _bishop_****at that time**. We cannot do better than to subjoin some passages from this epistle, in which he commends the practice of the Romans which has been retained down to the _persecution_ in our own days. His words are as follows:\n>\n> 10. _For from the beginning it has been your practice to do good to all the brethren in various ways, and to send_ __contributions__ _to many_ __churches__ _in every city. Thus relieving the want of the needy, and making provision for the brethren in the mines by the gifts which you have sent from the beginning, you Romans keep up the hereditary customs of the Romans, which**your blessed**_** __bishop__**** __Soter__** _has not only maintained, but also added to, furnishing an abundance of supplies to the_ __saints__ _, and encouraging the brethren from abroad with blessed words, as a loving father his children_.\n\n> 11. In this same epistle **he makes mention also of Clement's epistle to the Corinthians, showing that it had been the custom from the beginning to read it in the church**. His words are as follows: _Today we have passed the Lord's holy day, in which we have read your epistle. From it, whenever we read it, we shall always be able to draw advice, as also from the former epistle, which was written to us through Clement_. (Ibid,, _Book IV_)\n\n## Chapter 6. Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.\n\n1. The blessed _apostles_ having founded and established the church, entrusted the office of the _episcopate_ to Linus. _Paul_ speaks of this Linus in his Epistles to Timothy. _2 Timothy 4:21_ 2 Timothy 4:21\n\n2. Anencletus succeeded him, and after Anencletus, in the third place from the _apostles_, Clement received the _episcopate_. He had seen and conversed with the blessed _apostles_, and their preaching was still sounding in his ears, and their tradition was still before his eyes. Nor was he alone in this, for many who had been taught by the _apostles_ yet survived.\n\n3. In the times of Clement, a serious dissension having arisen among the brethren in _Corinth_, the _church of Rome_ sent a most suitable letter to the Corinthians, reconciling them in peace, renewing their _faith_, and proclaiming the doctrine lately received from the _apostles_.\n\n4. A little farther on he says:\n\n> _Evarestus succeeded Clement, and Alexander, Evarestus. Then Xystus, the sixth from the_ __apostles__ _, was appointed. After him_ __Telesphorus__ _, who suffered_ __martyrdom__ __gloriously__ _; then_ __Hyginus__ _; then_ __Pius__ _; and after him_ __Anicetus__ _;___Soter__ _succeeded_ __Anicetus__ _; and now, in the twelfth place from the_ __apostles__ _,___Eleutherus__ _holds the office of_ __bishop__ _._\n\n5. In the same order and succession the tradition in the _Church_ and the preaching of the _truth_ has descended from the _apostles_ unto us.\n\n## Chapter 7. Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful.\n\n1. **These things**** _Irenæus_****, in agreement with the accounts already given by us, records in the work which comprises five books, and to which he gave the title Refutation and Overthrow of the Knowledge Falsely So-called**. In the second book of the same treatise **he shows that manifestations of divine and miraculous power continued to his time in some of the churches**.\n\n2. He says:\n\n> _But so far do they come short of raising the dead, as the Lord raised them, and the_ __apostles__ _through_ __prayer__ _. And oftentimes in the brotherhood, when, on account of some necessity,**_our entire Church has besought with_**_** __fasting__**** __and much supplication, the spirit of the dead has returned, and the man has been restored through the__**** __prayers__**** __of the__**** __saints__** _._\n\n3. And again, after other remarks, he says:\n\n> _If they will say that even the Lord did these things in mere appearance, we will refer them to the prophetic writings, and show from them that all things were beforehand spoken of him in this manner, and were strictly fulfilled; and that he alone is the_ __Son of God__ _. Wherefore his_ __true__ __disciples__ _, receiving_ __grace__ _from him, perform such works in his Name for the benefit of other men, as each has received the gift from him._\n\n4. For some of them drive out _demons_ effectually and _truly_, so that those who have been cleansed from _evil spirits_ frequently _believe_ and unite with the _Church_. **_Others have a foreknowledge of future events, and visions, and prophetic revelations_**. Still others heal the sick by the _laying on of hands_, and restore them to health. **_And, as we have said, even dead_**** _persons_**** _have been raised, and remained with us many years_**.\n\n5. But why should we say more? It is not possible to recount the number of gifts which the _Church_, throughout all the world, has received from God in the name of _Jesus Christ_, who was crucified under _Pontius Pilate_, and exercises every day for the benefit of the _heathen_, never deceiving any nor doing it for money. **For as she has received freely from**** _God_****, freely also does she minister**.\n\n6. And in another place the same author writes:\n\n> _As also we hear**that many brethren in the**_** __Church__**** _possess_**** __prophetic__**** __gifts__**** _,_and speak, through the__**** __Spirit__** _**_, with all kinds of tongues_** , and bring to light the secret things of men for their good, and declare the ___mysteries__ _of_ __God__ _._\n\nSo much in regard to the fact that various gifts remained among those who were worthy even until that time.\n\n## Chapter 8. The Statements of Irenæus in regard to the Divine Scriptures.\n\n1. Since, in the beginning of this work, **we promised to give, when needful, the words of the ancient**** _presbyters_****and writers of the**** _Church_****,_in which they have declared those traditions which came down to them concerning the canonical books, and since_**** _Irenæus_**** _was one of them_ , we will now give his words and, first, what he says of the ****_sacred Gospels_**:\n\n2. Matthew published his _Gospel_ among the Hebrews **in their own language** , while Peter and _Paul_ were preaching and founding the church in Rome.\n\n3. After their departure **Mark, the**** _disciple_****and interpreter of Peter, also transmitted to us in writing those things which Peter had preached** ; and Luke, the attendant of _Paul_, recorded in a book the _Gospel_ which _Paul_ had declared\n\n4. Afterwards John, the _disciple_ of the Lord, who also reclined on his bosom, published his _Gospel_, while staying at Ephesus in Asia.\n\n5. **He states these things in the third book of his above-mentioned work. In the fifth book he speaks as follows concerning the Apocalypse of John, and the number of the name of**** _Antichrist_**:\n\n> _As these things are so,**_and this number is found in all the approved and ancient copies, and those who saw John face to face confirm it_** , and reason teaches us that the number of the name of the beast, according to the mode of calculation among the Greeks, appears in its letters...._\n\n6. And further on he says concerning the same:\n\n> _We are not bold enough to speak confidently of the name of_ __Antichrist__ _. For if it were necessary that his name should be declared clearly at the present time, it would have been announced by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen, not long ago, but almost in our generation, toward the end of the reign of_ __Domitian__ _._\n\n7. He states these things concerning the Apocalypse in the work referred to. **He also mentions the first Epistle of John, taking many**** _proofs_****from it, and likewise the first Epistle of Peter**. And he not only _knows_, **_but also receives, The Shepherd_** , writing as follows:\n\n> _Well did the_ __Scripture__ _speak, saying, 'First of all_ __believe__ _that God is one, who has created and completed all things,'_ etc.\n\n8. **And he uses almost the precise words of the Wisdom of Solomon, saying** : _The vision of God produces_ __immortality__ _, but_ __immortality__ _renders us near to_ __God__ _._ He mentions also the memoirs of a certain apostolic _presbyter_, whose name he passes by in silence, and gives his expositions of the sacred Scriptures.\n\n9. **_And he refers to Justin the Martyr, and to_**** _Ignatius_**, using testimonies also from their writings. Moreover, he promises to refute _Marcion_ from his own writings, in a special work.\n\n10. Concerning the translation of the inspired Scriptures by the Seventy, hear the very words which he writes:\n\n> **__God__**** __in__**** __truth__** _**_became man, and the Lord himself saved us, giving the sign of the virgin;_** but not as some say, who now venture to translate the ___Scripture__ _, 'Behold, a young_ __woman__ _shall conceive and bring forth a son,' as Theodotion of Ephesus and Aquila of_ __Pontus__ _, both of them Jewish proselytes, interpreted; following whom, the_ __Ebionites__ _say that he was begotten by Joseph._\n\n11. Shortly after he adds:\n\n> _For before the Romans had established their empire, while the Macedonians were still holding Asia, Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, being desirous of adorning the_ __library__ _which he had founded in_ __Alexandria__ _with the meritorious writings of all_ __men__ _, requested the people of Jerusalem to have their Scriptures translated into the Greek language._\n>\n> 12. But, as they were then subject to the Macedonians, they sent to Ptolemy seventy elders, who were the most skilled among them in the _Scriptures_ and in both languages. Thus God accomplished his purpose.\n>\n> 13. But wishing to try them individually, as he feared lest, by taking counsel together, they might conceal the _truth_ of the _Scriptures_ by their interpretation, he separated them from one another, and commanded all of them to write the same translation. He did this for all the books.\n>\n> 14. But when they came together in the presence of Ptolemy, **and compared their several translations, God was**** _glorified_****, and the**** _Scriptures_****were recognized as**** _truly_****divine**. For all of them had rendered the same things in the same words and with the same names from beginning to end, so that the _heathen_ perceived that the _Scriptures_ had been translated by the inspiration of _God_.\n>\n> 15. And this was nothing wonderful for _God_ to do, who, in the captivity of the people under _Nebuchadnezzar_, when the _Scriptures_ had been destroyed, and the _Jews_ had returned to their own country after seventy years, afterwards, in the time of Artaxerxes, king of the _Persians_, **_inspired Ezra the_**** _priest_**** _, of the tribe of Levi, to relate all the words of the former_**** _prophets_**** _, and to restore to the people the legislation of_**** _Moses_**.\n\nSuch are the words of _Irenæus_. (Ibid., _Book V_)\n\n## Further Reading\n\n**_Euesbius on the New Testament Canon_**\n\n**_Irenaeus, Apostolic Succession & the Roman See_**\n\n**_Irenaeus on the Unity of the Faith_**\n\n**_St. Irenaeus, Scripture & the Church_**\n\n**_Irenaeus on Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians_**\n\n**_Irenaeus and John, the disciple of the Lord_**",
"title": "Jesus’ Relatives, NT Canon, Clement, Bishops & Miracles",
"updatedAt": "2026-03-11T02:10:50.132Z"
}