This is the third and final part of my examination of the letters of Ignatius of Antioch. I will conclude with an examination of parts of the Letters to the Smyrnaeans and Polycarp.
The letter to the Smyrnaeans is important for several reasons. First, it is an early proof of the doctrine of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Second it is the first written use of Catholic to describe the Church founded by Jesus Christ. The letter also continues Ignatius’ insistence of the authority of the Bishop in the Church. We can also see that Ignatius is dealing with the Gnostic heresy in this writing. Let us examine some of the passages!
Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. For love they have no care, nor for the widow, nor for the orphan, nor for the distressed, nor for those in prison or freed from prison, nor for the hungry and thirsty.[6,2] They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the Flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, Flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes. It would have been better for them to have love, so that they might rise again. It is right to shun such men, and not even speak about them, neither in public or in private. [7,1]
You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Nor is it permitted without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate the agape; but whatever he approve, this too is pleasing to God, so that whatever is done will be secure and valid.[8,1]
These are among my favorite passages of all the letter of Ignatius. You have several doctrines of the early Church clearly being taught just in these few paragraphs. It is amazing how anyone can dispute that the early Church taught the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by reading this letter. We also see that the term Catholic was coined early on in the Church. This is the first written record of it. This letter was written in the early second century and the term undoubtdly was used far earlier. The authority of the Bishop is clearly taught in this letter just as it is in all of the other letters written by Igatius.
Ignatius words of warning to those who deny the Real Presence are prophetic. Ignatius says that they are perishing in their disputes. Sounds very similiar to the constant division that is rampant in the protestant Churchs today. This division is seeing many of the Churchs being destroyed by the constant division. Most protestants deny the real presence.
The last letter I want to review is Ignatius’ letter to Polycarp. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna. There are a few passages that I want to point out. One deals, yet again, with the authority of the bishop but this time it is in relation to marriage. You can see the concept of marriage as a sacrament in this writing. In another passage we see the early formation of the doctrine of the treasury of merit! Let us look at these passages.
Flee from base practices, but preach more against them: Speak more to my sisters that they love the Lord, and be content with their husbands in body and in soul. In like manner exhort my brothers in the name of Jesus Christ to love their wives as the Lord loved the Church. If anyone is able to remain continent, to the honor of the flesh of the Lord, let him remain without boasting. If he boast about it, then he is lost; and if he be more esteemed than the bishop, he is ruined. It is proper for men and women who wish to marry to be united with the consent of the bishop, so that their marriage will be acceptable to the Lord, and not be entered upon for the sake of lust. Let all things be done for the honor of God.[5,1]
Be pleasing to him whose soldiers you are, and whose pay you receive. May none of you be found to be a deserter. Let your Baptism be your armament; your faith, your helmet; your love, your spear; your endurance, your full suit of armor. Let your works be your deposited withholding, so that you may receive the back pay which has accrued to you. Be long suffering with one another and gentle, just as God is with you. May I rejoice in you always.
There you have it. Ignatius has laid out some concepts that are very important in the Church. It is amazing that the Catholic Church is accused of inventing various doctrines after Constantine legalized the Church. If one closly examines the Church of the first centuries you can clearly see that this is not the case. The church heirarchy was in place since the beginning as witnessed to by the Bible and these letters. The real presence in the Eucharist was believed early on as is attested to by the Bible and these letters. I hope this has been helpful to those who are new to the Early Church Fathers.
