Early Church Writings — historically valuable Christian documents, presented as noncanonical writings rather than Scripture.

Additional and Disputed Ignatian Letters

Attributed to Ignatius

Chapter VIII.—Exhortations to the presbyters and others

Ye presbyters, "feed the flock which is among you," 1247 till God shall show who is to hold the rule over you. For "I am now ready to be offered," 1248 that I "may win Christ." 1249 Let the deacons know of what dignity they are, and let them study to be blameless, that they may be the followers of Christ. Let the people be subject to the presbyters and the deacons. Let the virgins know to whom they have consecrated themselves.

Notes

  1. 1 Pet. v. 2. ↩
  2. 2 Tim. iv. 6. ↩
  3. Phil. iii. 8. ↩

Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; revised by A. Cleveland Coxe. Public domain. Electronic text courtesy of CCEL.