This was a seminary assignment for a class on historical theology in the early church.

Writing Prompt

How did the post-apostolic church understand its role in preserving and transmitting the apostolic faith? Drawing from at least one primary source, explain what theological concern made visible unity, authority, or ordered worship necessary for the church’s identity.

Then reflect briefly:

Why does a clear doctrine of the church remain essential for protecting the gospel today?

How did the post-apostolic church understand its role in transmitting the apostolic faith?

The post-apostolic church preserved and transmitted the apostolic faith through structured rhythms of practicing the faith as a distinct people. An interesting characteristic of the early church was that unity flowed through authority. The headwaters of authority were the confession(s) of faith and adherence to the commandments of the Scriptures. The Didache​ has liturgical and confessional overtones through the celebration of the Eucharist (Did. IX.2–4; X.2–6).[?]​​^{1See excerpts from cited texts below.}​ Likewise, Ignatius embedded liturgies and confessions within his letters to the Smyrnaeans and Magnesians (Ig. Smyrn. 1.1–2; Ig. Mag. 8.2).[?] ​ These confessions of faith were the headwaters of distinguishing the early church from all other communities and religions.

Therefore, it became the responsibility of those who held leadership and authoritative roles within the church (prophets, teachers, deacons, and bishops) to ensure the teaching of these confessions were preserved and lived out through the life of the church. The Didache teaches “Whosoever, therefore, cometh and teacheth you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turn and teach another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not; but if he teach so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord” (Did. XI.1–2).[1]​ 

Traveling prophets who aligned with the confessional truth of Christianity were worthy of support from the community (Did. XIII.1–7),[1]​ and the communities were to appoint bishops and deacons who were to fulfill the role of prophets and teachers within that local community (Did. XV.1–2).[1]​

Ignatius also taught unity through the authority of bishops. Nothing within the church should be done without the bishop, and the church is to submit to the authority structure out of reverence to Christ (Ig. Smyr. 8.1; 9.1).[2]​

It was through the authority structure that the confessions of the apostolic church were maintained and the life of the church was practiced.

Why does a clear doctrine of the church remain essential for protecting the gospel today?

A clear doctrine of the church remains essential today. What has changed since the post-apostolic age?

Other religions still exist; incomplete and false teachings still circulate throughout the church; and the church is still a distinct community that is meant to function as a united body. The post-apostolic leaders of the church were passed on what they received from the Apostolic Age.

They taught the confessions and practices of the faith as both the expectation and the goal of the church – i.e. the articulation and embodiment of the gospel. Living out the confessions through the life of the church made the church distinct, and the authority of the church protected the distinct identity of the church by protecting the confessions and practices.

Thus, the wholistic gospel was passed on and lived out. Identity gives reason for culture, and culture is both the vision and experience that generates “buy-in” from the community. It is important that the modern church teaches and embodies a wholistic gospel so that people buy into a wholistic gospel. The modern church needs to stand firm in its distinct identity which is rooted in the confessions of faith and the life of the church. 

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Excerpts from Early Church Texts

The excerpts here are for the texts that were referenced in the body of the article but were not directly quoted.

In The Order They Were Cited Above

Didache IX.2–4

² First, concerning the cup: We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant,² which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. ³ And concerning the broken bread: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. ⁴ Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom;⁵ for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever.

Didache X.2–6

² We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which Thou didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. ³ Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name’s sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. ⁴ Before all things we thank Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever. ⁵ Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. ⁶ Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 1.1–2

^1.1 I give glory to Jesus Christ, the God who has made you so wise. For I have perceived that you have been established in immovable faith just as if having been nailed on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, both in flesh and spirit, and having been established in love by the blood of Christ, having been fully convinced about our Lord that he is truly from the family of David according to the flesh, the Son of God according to the will and power of God, having been born truly of a virgin, having been baptized by John that all righteousness might be fulfilled by him, ² truly nailed to the tree in the flesh for us under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch (we are from its fruit, from his suffering blessed by God) that he might raise a banner to the ages through the resurrection to his holy and faithful ones, whether among Jews or among Gentiles, in the one body, his church.

Ignatius to the Magnesians 8.2

² For the divine prophets lived according to Christ Jesus. Because of this they were also persecuted, being inspired by his grace, to fully convince the disobedient that there is one God who revealed himself through Jesus Christ his Son, who is his Word that came forth from silence, who in everything pleased the one who sent him.

Didache XIII.1–7

¹ But every true prophet that willeth to abide among you is worthy of his support. ² So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support. ³ Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, thou shalt take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. ⁴ But if ye have not a prophet, give it to the poor. ⁵ If thou makest a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. ⁶ So also when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; ⁷ and of money (silver) and clothing and every possession, take the first-fruit, as it may seem good to thee, and give according to the commandment.

Didache XV.1–2

¹ Appoint, therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. ² Despise them not therefore, for they are your honoured ones, together with the prophets and teachers.

Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 8.1

^8.1 All of you follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and follow the council of elders as the apostles. And have respect for the deacons as the commandment of God. No one does anything that pertains to the church without the bishop. Consider valid that Eucharist which is held under the bishop or whomever he appoints.

Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 9.1

^9.1 Finally, it is reasonable for us to return to our senses while we still have opportunity to repent to God. It is good to know God and the bishop. He who honors the bishop will be honored by God. He who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop serves the devil.