apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

392 EPISTLES OF S. IGNATIUS.
Polycarp did those of the Apostle. Both these fathers delighted to
recall such reminiscences of their respective teachers. Irenasus was
probably the most learned Christian of his time. He certainly had an
acquaintance with heathen, as well as with sacred literature. He had
travelled far and wide. He was born and schooled in Asia Minor ;
he
resided some time during middle life in Rome ;
he spent his later years
in Gaul. He was in constant communication with foreign churches on
various subjects of ecclesiastical and theological interest. The intercourse
between Gaul and Asia Minor more especially was close and
constant. An appreciation of the position of the man is a first requisite
to the estimate of his evidence. Historic insight is the realization of
the relations of persons and events.
The view of Irenseus respecting the subject before us is unmistakeable.
The episcopate, as distinct from the presbyterate, is the only
episcopate which comes within the range, not only of his personal
acquaintance, but even of his intellectual and historical cognisance.
This is so far the case that he entirely overlooks the identity of the
terms 'bishop' and 'presbyter' in the New Testament', which later
fathers discerned.
This appears from his mode of handling the interview
with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, who are called ' presbyters ' in one
place and 'bishops' in another (Acts xx. 17 Treyni/^as ets "E^eo-ov /AereKaXe-
(TttTO TOiJS TTjoecTySuTepoDs TTj'i eKKX7]aLa/'2aM5 p. 95 sq. sense the Trpea-^vrepoi, 'the elders,' are
After the establishment of the episcopate the primitive fathers (irrespective of office),
proper the designation iwiaKOTros is con- whose views of Christian doctrine and
fined to it. A bishop may
still be called practice are especially valuable by reason
7rpecrj3i)repos, but a presbyter is not now of their proximity to the Apostles; e.g. iii.
called conversely e7r/