Austin Bible Church
The Apostolic Fathers: (50-100 AD)
Fathers listed:
Clement of Rome: 30-100 AD
Barnabas: 100
Herman: 100
Ignatius: 100
Polycarp: 69–155 AD
Papias: 70-155
Didache: (The Teaching of the Twelve)
Contribution of the Greek Fathers:
Clement: 30-100 AD. Wrote the Epistle to the Corinthian church called “First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians in 96 AD. He cites references to the books of Matthew, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, James, and Peter. This is translated in full in “The Ante-Nicene Fathers,” Vol. 1, pp. 5-21.
Ignatius: 30-107. Tradition says he was a disciple of the Apostle John. At Smyrna, he wrote four (4) letters to the Ephesians, Magensians, Trallians, and Romans. At Troas, he wrote three (3) letters to the Philadelphians, the Smyrnaians, and to Polycarp. He refers to all 13 Epistles and uses Matthew, John and possibly Luke.
Polycarp: 69-155 AD. He became the Bishop of the church of Smyrna, possibly the one of Revelation 2-3. He had an interesting death. He was to be burned. He was bound and placed on the pile of wood. The wood was ignited, but wind caused it to form an arc over his body. The executioner ordered him to be pierced with a dagger. This was done and blood gushed out and extinguished the fire. The fire was rebuilt and consumed the lifeless body. His Writings: He wrote a number of letters. Only one is left, the Epistle to the Philippians. The epistle came to us in Greek and Latin. It is translated in English in “The Ante-Nicene Fathers,” Vol. 1, pages 31-36. This epistle contains about 50 quotations from Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, 1 Peter and 10 of Paul’s Epistles.
Ante-Nicene Fathers: 150-325 AD
Ante-Nicene Fathers Listed - Greek Fathers
Justin Martyr
Iranaeus
Clement of Alexandria
Hippolytus
Origen
Dionysius, the Great
Writings of Ante-Nicene Fathers
Justin Martyr: 100-165 AD. He uses the teachings of Jesus. Alludes to passages in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and mentions Revelation.
Iranaeus: 120-192 AD. He was a Polemist, a defender against Heresy. He wrote five (5) books refuting Gnosticism. We have some in Greek fragments, all in Latin. He referred to the entire New Testament, and was the first writer to do so with some 1,800 quotations and references. Quotes 1,000 times from the Gospels.
Clement of Alexandria: 150-217 AD. He was trained in Greek literature and its systems of philosophy. Became a believer, then pastor in Alexandria. In 190 AD, he became president of the first Bible and Missionary Training Institute in Alexandria.
His writings:
“Exhortations to the Heathen,” was evangelistic.
“The Pedagogus, or Instructor,” was 3 books on Christian morality and living.
“Stromata,” 7 books covering history, poetry, philosophy, Christian truth and pagan error. He quotes from the New Testament more than 2,400 times and every book except Philemon and James and 2 Peter are used. He quotes the Gospels over 1,000 times.