Ignatius' letter to the Smyrneans

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The letter of Ignatius to the Philadelphians is a reminder and encyclicals of the Apostolic Father Ignatius of Antioch to the Church in Smyrna . He probably wrote it in the first decade of the 2nd century in the city of Troas in Asia Minor (cf. Chapter 12, 1).

occasion

The reason is probably on the one hand praise of the Smyrneans, but on the other hand also the (pre-) warning and rejection of / from Judaic and docetistic teachings.

Structure of the letter

  • introduction
  • 1st chap. Praise God for the Smyrneans' perfect faith in Christ.
  • 2nd chap. Christ suffered for us truly, not seemingly.
  • 3rd chap. The risen One is a true man.
  • 4th chap. Warning against false teachers. Christ is real man.
  • 5th chap. The misfortune of the docetes.
  • 6. Chap. The heavenly and earthly powers must also believe in Christ's blood; Hallmarks of false teachers.
  • 7th chap. Behavior of false teachers.
  • 8. Chap. Be one with the bishop!
  • 9. Chap. Stand by the bishop; Thanks for shown love.
  • 10. Chapter Thanks for welcoming the companion.
  • 11. Chapter A messenger is to be sent to Antioch.
  • 12. Chap. Greetings and wishes for the community of Smyrna.
  • 13. Chap. More greetings.

content

As is the case in almost all of Ignatius ' letters, Ignatius warns against Judaist and Docetist teachings and accordingly urges adherence to true Christian teaching. Further content can be found in the following section.

Quotes and meaning

Ignatius also mentions numerous things that concern the understanding of ministry and the (dispensing of) sacraments and are decisive for the later development of the church:

  • The prominent role of the bishop
    • You must all obey the bishop as Jesus Christ the Father, and also the presbytery as the apostles; but honor the deacons as God's ordinance. No one does anything that affects the Church without the bishop. Only that Eucharist is considered to be lawful, performed under the bishop or by someone who is commissioned by him. Wherever the bishop appears, there is also the people, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is also the Catholic Church. One cannot baptize or celebrate the mark of love without the bishop; but whatever he thinks is good, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that happens may be safe and lawful. (8th)
    • (…) It is good to know God and the bishop. Whoever honors the bishop is honored by God; he who does something without the bishop's knowledge serves the devil. (9, 1)
  • The extended term Eucharist for the Lord's Supper
    • (...) Eucharist (...) (7, 1)
    • (...) Eucharist (...) (8, 1)
  • References to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist
    • They keep away from the Eucharist and prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins and which the Father raised in his goodness. (...) (7, 1)
  • Celebration and validity of the sacraments (only) by ordained ministers
    • (…) Only that Eucharist is considered to be lawful, which is performed under the bishop or by someone who is commissioned by him. (8, 1)
    • (...) Without the bishop one cannot baptize or celebrate the mark of love (...) (8, 2)
  • The name Catholic Church
    • (...) the Catholic Church (...) (8, 2)

See also

Web links