Linus Rome's First Bishop, Clement’s Letter, Scriptures & Miracles

The following extracts are taken from Eusebius’ Church History. All emphasis is mine.

Book III

Chapter 2. The First Successor to St. Peter in Rome.

1. After the martyrdom of Paul and of Peter, Linus was the first to obtain the episcopate of the churchat Rome**.** Paulmentions him, when writing to Timothy from Rome, in the salutation at the end of the epistle.

Chapter 3. The Epistles of the Apostles.

1. One epistle of Peter, that called the first**, is acknowledged as genuine. And this the ancient elders used freely in their own writings as an undisputed work.But we have learned that his extant second Epistle does not belong to the canon ; yet, as it has appeared profitable to many, it has been used with the other Scriptures**.

2. The so-called Acts of Peter, however, and the Gospelwhich bears his name, and the Preaching and the Apocalypse, as they are called, we knowhave not been universally accepted, because no ecclesiasticalwriter, ancient or modern, has made use of testimonies drawn from them.

3. But in the course of my history I shall be careful to show, in addition to the official succession, what ecclesiasticalwriters have from time to time made use of any of the disputed works , and what they have said in regard to the canonical and accepted writings, as well as in regard to those which are not of this class.

4. Such are the writings that bear the name of Peter, only one of which I knowto be genuine and acknowledged by the ancient elders.

5. Paul's**fourteen epistles are well** known**and undisputed**. It is not indeed right to overlook the fact that some have rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews, saying that it is disputed by the church of Rome, on the ground that it was not written by Paul. But what has been said concerning this epistle by those who lived before our time I shall quote in the proper place. In regard to the so-called Acts of Paul, I have not found them among the undisputed writings.

6. But as the same apostle, in the salutations at the end of the Epistle to the Romans, has made mention among others of Hermas, to whom the book called The Shepherd is ascribed, it should be observed that this too has been disputed by some, and on their account cannot be placed among the acknowledged books ; while by others it is considered quite indispensable, especially to those who need instruction in the elements of the faith. Hence, as we know, it has been publicly read in churches, and I have found that some of the most ancient writers used it.

7. This will serve to show the divine writings that are undisputed as well as those that are not universally acknowledged

Chapter 4. The First Successors of the Apostles.

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.

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

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.

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.

5. Luke also in the Acts speaks of his friends, and mentions them by name.

6. Timothy, so it is recorded, was the first to receive the episcopate of the parish in Ephesus, Titus of the churches in Crete.

7. But Luke, who was of Antiochianparentage and a physician by profession, and who was especially intimate with Pauland 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.

8. And they say that Paulmeant to refer to Luke's Gospelwherever , as if speaking of some gospel of his own, he used the words,according to my Gospel.

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 4:21as his companion at Rome**, was Peter's successor in the episcopate of the** churchthere, as has already been shown.

10**.** Clementalso, who was appointed third bishopof the churchat Rome, was, as Paul testifies, his co-laborer and fellow-soldier.

1. 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...

Chapter 13. Anencletus, the Second Bishop of Rome.

After Vespasian had reigned ten years Titus, his son, succeeded him. In the second year of his reign, Linus**, who had been** bishop of the church of Romefor twelve years, delivered his officeto Anencletus. But Titus was succeeded by his brother Domitian after he had reigned two years and the same number of months...

Chapter 15. Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome.

In the twelfth year of the same reign Clement**** succeeded**** Anencletusafter the latter had been bishop of the church of Romefor twelve years. The apostlein his Epistle to the Philippiansinforms 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.

Chapter 16. The Epistle of Clement.

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 churchof Rome to the churchof 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 Hegesippusis a trustworthy witness.

Book VI

Chapter 6. Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome.

1. The blessed apostles having founded and established the church, entrusted the office of the episcopateto Linus. Paulspeaks of this Linus in his Epistles to Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:21

2. 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** apostlesyet survived.

3. 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.

4. A little farther on he says:

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_._

1. In the same order and succession the tradition in the Church and the preaching of the truth has descended from the apostles unto us.

Chapter 7. Even down to those Times Miracles were performed by the Faithful.

1. 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.

2. He says:

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_._

1. And again, after other remarks, he says:

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._

1. 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._

2. But why should we say more? It is not possible torecount 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_**.

3. And in another place the same author writes:

As also we hearthat 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_._

So much in regard to the fact that various gifts** remained among those who were worthy even until that time**.

Chapter 8. The Statements of Irenæus in regard to the Divine Scriptures.

1. Since, in the beginning of this work, we promised to give, when needful, the words of the ancient presbytersand writers of the Church**, in which they have declared those traditions which came down to them concerning the canonical books, and since** Irenæuswas one of them , we will now give his words and, first, what he says of the sacred Gospels:

2. Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul were preaching and founding the church in Rome.

3. 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.

4. Afterwards John, the disciple of the Lord, who also reclined on his bosom, published his Gospel, while staying at Ephesus in Asia.

5. 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:

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....

1. And further on he says concerning the same:__

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.

1. 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** :

Well did the Scripture_speak, saying, 'First of all_ believe_that God is one, who has created and completed all things,' etc._

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Concerning the translation of the inspired Scriptures by the Seventy, hear the very words which he writes:

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._

1. Shortly after he adds:

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._

1. 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._

2. 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._

3. 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_._

4. 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_._

Such are the words of Irenæus.