III. The Witness of the Epistles of Ignatius

The epistles of Ignatius of Antioch are among the best known documents of the primitive church. ^{12See Eusebius, Church History, book 3, chap. 36, in NPNF, 2nd series, vol. 1, pp. 166, 169} The author was probably a martyr during the reign of Trajan (98-117), dying about A.D. 107, when, as tradition insists, he was thrown to the wild beasts in the Roman amphitheater. He is alluded to by Polycarp and Irenaeus. ^{13Gerald G. Walsh, Introduction to the Letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch, in The Apostolic Fathers (tr. by Glimm, etc.), pp. 84, 85.} Ignatius was conscious of an approaching crisis in the church. ^{14Westcott, op. cit., pp. 28-32.}PFF1 208.6

“The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, that it tend not to our condemnation.” ^{15The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, chap. 11, in ANF, vol. 1, p. 54, shorter recension (cf. Walsh’s translation, pp 91, 92).}PFF1 209.1

“Weigh carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes.” ^{16The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp, chap. 3, shorter recension, in ANF, vol. 1, p. 94.}PFF1 209.2

“Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us, and bring us into His kingdom. Add more and more to thy diligence; run thy race with increasing energy; weigh carefully the times. Whilst thou art here, be a conqueror; for here is the course, and there are the crowns. Look for Christ, the Son of God; who was before time, yet appeared in time; who was invisible by nature, yet visible in the flesh.” ^{17Ibid., the longer recension.}PFF1 209.3

The reason for Ignatius’ thirst for martyrdom was the resurrection hope:PFF1 209.4

“Yet if I shall suffer, then am I a freed-man of Jesus Christ, and I shall rise free in Him.”” ^{18Ignatius, To the Romans, in The Apostolic Fathers (Lightfoot-Harmer ed.), p. 151; cf. Walsh’s translation, p. 110.}PFF1 209.5