Ante-Nicene Fathers – Page 68

Jesus — the only true God

But our Physician is the only true God, the unbegotten and unapproachable, the Lord of all, the Father and Begetter of the only-begotten Son. We have also as a Physician the Lord our God, Jesus the Christ, the only-begotten Son and Word, before time began, but who afterwards became also man, of Mary the virgin. For “the Word was made flesh.” Being incorporeal, He was in the body; being impassible, He was in a passible body; being immortal, He was in a mortal body; being life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our souls from death and corruption, and heal them, and might restore them to health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter VII

Jesus — God in flesh

There is one Physician who is possessed of both flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first passible and then impassible—even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter VII

Look upon the Bishop as the Lord

It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter VI

Be subject to the Bishop

Do you beloved, be careful to be subject to the bishop, and the presbyters and the deacons. For he that is subject to these is obedient to Christ who has appointed them; but he that is disobedient to these is disobedient to Christ Jesus.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter V

The Bishop rules over you

Therefore it is fitting that you also should run together in accordance with the will of the bishop who by God’s appointment rules over you.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter IV

God’s blood

Being followers of God, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of God, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you.

Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter I

Trinitarian Blessing

I have collected these things, when they had almost faded away through the lapse of time, that the Lord Jesus Christ may also gather me along with His elect into His heavenly kingdom, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Martyrdom of Polycarp
Chapter XXII

Trinitarian salutation

We wish you, brethren, all happiness, while you walk according to the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; with whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of His holy elect, after whose example the blessed Polycarp suffered, following in whose steps may we too be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ!

Martyrdom of Polycarp
Chapter XXII

Polycarp’s relics are preserved for use in the Church

Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, as being more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, whither, being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us, with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course, and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps.

Martyrdom of Polycarp
Chapter XVIII

Christ is the only one worshipped

… It is neither possible for us ever to forsake Christ, who suffered for the salvation of such as shall be saved throughout the whole world (the blameless one for sinners), nor to worship any other. For Him indeed, as being the Son of God, we adore; but the martyrs, as disciples and followers of the Lord, we worthily love on account of their extraordinary affection towards their own King and Master, of whom may we also be made companions and fellow-disciples!

Martyrdom of Polycarp
Chapter XVII