“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Tim. 3:12
Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
Ignatius (AD c.35-c.117) served the Lord as the bishop of Antioch in Syria. Not much is known of his early life. There is an ancient but unprovable tradition, however, that Ignatius was the child whom Jesus took up into his arms and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (cf. Matt. 18:3-4). As a young Christian, Ignatius was discipled by the Apostle John through extensive correspondence. Because of this he quickly matured in his understanding of Christianity and became a highly capable church leader.
The church at Antioch of Syria became known as the first place where the disciples of Jesus were identified as “Christians” (Acts 11:26). It was also a significant launching place for Christian missionary endeavors. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church of Antioch on multiple missionary trips (Acts 13:1-3). When large numbers of Gentiles were converted, the church in Antioch welcomed them (Acts 15:30-32). Ignatius served as its bishop (Gk. episkopos), alongside of a council of elders (Gk. presbyterion), and the deacons (Gk. diakonia). As the bishop his spiritual influence appears to have far exceeded Antioch, so much so that he was recognized as a spiritual leader throughout the region of Syria and Asia Minor.
Ignatius is best known for seven letters that he wrote during the last year of his life. These letters are preserved in the writings of the “Apostolic Fathers” and they document his pending martyrdom as he was taken to Rome as a captive. In them Ignatius distinguished himself by writing against the Docetists who asserted that Jesus only appeared to have a real birth, death, and bodily resurrection. In essence, they denied the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Ignatius strongly argued that the Docetists (Gk: dokeo = to seem, to appear) were in error about Jesus Christ. He thoughtfully wrote,
Be deaf, therefore, whenever anyone speaks to you apart from Jesus Christ, who was of the family of David, who was the son of Mary; who really was born, who both ate and drank; who really was persecuted under Pontius Pilate, who really was crucified and died while those in heaven and on earth and under the earth looked on; who, moreover, really was raised from the dead when his Father raised him up. In the same way his Father will likewise also raise up in Christ Jesus us who believe in him. Apart from him we have no true life.
— “Ignatius to the Trallians” in the Apostolic Fathers, Art. 9
Hence, even at this early stage in the history of the Christian church, we see a fully formed doctrine of the humanity of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not just to appear to be a man, but he actually was a man. Over time, this contentious debate was finally resolved at the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) where Jesus Christ was acknowledged to be fully man and fully God at the same time, with the two natures united in one person (i.e. the hypostatic union).
As a determined apologist of Christian orthodoxy Ignatius demonstrated his zeal for defending the truth against all heretical teaching (Gk. hairesis = a choice, destructive opinion, sect or schismatic faction). Therefore, he also argued against the Ebionites who demanded the keeping of Jewish regulations as a way of salvation. Ignatius emphatically noted, “It is utterly absurd to profess Jesus Christ and to practice Judaism. For Christianity did not believe in Judaism, but Judaism in Christianity, in which every tongue believed and was brought together to God” (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Art. 10). In this, Ignatius mirrors the teaching of the Apostle Paul who wrote to the Colossian church, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (Col. 2:16-17). Clearly, the Apostles’ doctrine was that the work of Jesus Christ on the cross was completely sufficient to justify and cleanse the sinner; nothing else was needed. Ignatius held to this same belief.
He also claimed to possess special gifts from the Holy Spirit by writing that he was “not lacking in any spiritual gift” (Ignatius to the Smynaeans, in the Salutation). Presumably, then, he prophesied, spoke in and interpreted “tongues” (Gk. glossolalia), and performed healings. As a result, some modern-day Pentecostals have claimed Ignatius as an early advocate of the “Spirit-filled” life. It is dubious, however, to make this claim when it is based only on one slender text (cited above). It is more likely that he manifested various spiritual gifts (i.e. the sign gifts), but that these ceased to exist as the Apostolic Age came to an end. See the Apostle Paul’s statement for context, “As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes [i.e. the New Testament Scriptures], the partial will pass away” (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
Ignatius is best known by Christians throughout the centuries as a martyr (Gk. marturion = a witness, testimony, evidence). On his way to Rome to suffer martyrdom under armed guard he wrote letters to the Christians in the cities through which he passed (Philadelphia and Smyrna), to cities that sent out delegations to meet him (Ephesus, Tralles, and Magnesia), to Rome (sent ahead of his arrival), and finally to Polycarp (the bishop of Smyrna). These seven letters contain a strong and passionate declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ; urging his fellow Christians to “stand firm” and to seek lives of holiness. Note this entry To the Ephesians on the subject of humility. He writes,
I am not commanding you, as though I were someone important. For even though I am in chains for the sake of the Name, I have not yet been perfected in Jesus Christ. For now I am only beginning to be a disciple, and I speak to you as my fellow students. For I need to be trained by you in faith, instruction, endurance, and patience. But since love does not allow me to be silent concerning you, I have therefore taken the initiative to encourage you, so that you may run together in harmony with the mind of God. For Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the mind of the Father, just as the bishops appointed throughout the world are in the mind of Christ.
— “Ignatius to the Ephesians” in the Apostolic Fathers, Art. 3
These letters show that the episcopal form of church government was beginning to take a strong hold in Syria and Asia Minor as the preferred structure of ecclesiastical authority. It is telling that each one of the major churches that Ignatius sent letters to were ruled over by a bishop (Gk: episkopos). Concerning the structure of church government—bishops, presbyters, and deacons—Ignatius exhorts,
Flee from division as the beginning of evils. You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and follow the council of presbyters as you would the apostles; respect the deacons as the commandment of God. Let no one do anything that has to do with the church without the bishop. Only that Eucharist which is under the authority of the bishop (or whomever he himself designates) is to be considered valid. Wherever the bishop appears, there let the congregation be; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church. It is not permissible either to baptize or to hold a love feast without the bishop. But whatever he approves is also pleasing to God, in order that everything you do may be trustworthy and valid.
— “Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans” in the Apostolic Fathers, Art. 8
In addition, it was Ignatius who first used the word “catholic” (i.e., “universal”) to describe the interrelationship between the churches scattered throughout the Roman world (See: Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, Art. 8). In this sense, Ignatius emphasized the fact that the churches were not completely independent from one another, but they were inter-connected. The best evidence for this connection between them was the way in which all of the churches adhered to the ruling of the Jerusalem Council regarding the inclusion of Gentiles into the church (Acts 15:1-21).
Moreover, Ignatius seems convinced that the return of Jesus Christ was imminent. Given the rising persecution against the disciples of Jesus Christ, he can certainly not be faulted for this expectation and hope. He boldly writes,
These are the last times. Therefore let us be reverent, let us fear the patience of God, lest it become a judgment against us. For let us either fear the wrath to come or love the grace which is present, one of the two; only let us be found in Christ Jesus, which leads to true life. Let nothing appeal to you apart from him, in whom I carry around these chains (my spiritual pearls!), by which I hope, through your prayers, to rise again. May I always share in them, in order that I might be found in the company of the Christians of Ephesus who have always been in agreement with the apostles, by the power of Jesus Christ.
— “Ignatius to the Ephesians” in the Apostolic Fathers, Art. 11
Even though Jesus Christ did not return within the life of Ignatius, his strong faith and resilient attitude prevailed in the end. Ignatius expected to be in the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ, immediately following his death. This was not a vain hope, but one built upon the promise of Jesus—“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms…I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
When the Roman Emperor Trajan, who ruled from AD 98-117, visited Antioch he desired to see its most famous citizen, Ignatius. This was not a friendly visit and the Emperor Trajan greeted him in the following manner:
Trajan: “There you are, wicked devil, deceiver of men!”
Ignatius: “‘Not an evil spirit,’ but I have Jesus in my heart.”
Trajan: “Jesus Christ within you? Do you mean him who was crucified by Pontius Pilate?”
Ignatius: “Yes, he was crucified for my sins.”
Without a trial of any kind the heartless Emperor Trajan ordered that Ignatius be taken to Rome and be thrown to the wild beasts. He was to be, “butchered to make a Roman holiday.” It was on his way to Rome that Ignatius penned his famous letters to individual churches and to Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. Knowing that he would soon be martyred, Ignatius wrote the following words,
I am writing to all the churches and am insisting to everyone that I die for God of my own free will—unless you hinder me. I implore you: do not be unseasonably kind to me. Let me be food for the wild beasts, through whom I can reach God. I am God’s wheat, and I am being ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may prove to be pure bread. Better yet, coax the wild beasts, so that they may become my tomb and leave nothing of my body behind, lest I become a burden to anyone once I have fallen asleep. Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world will no longer see my body. Pray to the Lord on my behalf, so that through these instruments I may prove to be a sacrifice to God. I do not give you orders like Peter and Paul: they were apostles, I am a convict; they were free, but I am even now still a slave. But if I suffer, I will be a freedman of Jesus Christ and will rise up free in him. In the meantime, as a prisoner I am learning to desire nothing.
— “Ignatius to the Romans” in the Apostolic Fathers, Art. 4
Many weeks later when Ignatius finally arrived in Rome, the Emperor Trajan sentenced him to death. Ignatius replied by looking up to heaven and uttering these words, “I thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast vouchsafed thus to honor me” and later while facing the lions he stated, “I am God’s grain, to be ground between the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become a holy loaf for the Lord.” Soon after this all that was left of Ignatius was a few gnawed bones. When his friends recovered his remains they knew that Ignatius was “with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). One hundred and twenty years later, Tertullian (AD c.160-220), the Latin Church Father, rightly affirmed, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” The testimony of Ignatius, and many other martyrs of the Early Church, serve as sober reminders to modern-day Christians that the secular authorities can turn against the members of Christ’s Church. The Apostle Paul emphatically noted, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Let us, then, be watchful, and let us prepare ourselves for what trials and tribulations may come in the providential will of God.
Sources for Further Study:
Abott-Smith, G. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Third Edition. Edinburgh, Scotland, T. & T. Clark, 1981.
Boer, Harry R. A Short History of the Early Church. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1976.
Douglas, J. D. ed. New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
- “Antioch (Syrian)” by James M. Houston
- “Apostolic Fathers” by David F. Wright
- “Apostolic Succession” by R. E. Nixon
- “Bishop” by Peter Toon
- “Chalcedon, Definition of” by G. T. D. Angel
- “Christology” by Samuel J. Mikolaski
- “Deacon” by J. W. Charley
- “Docetism” by G. W. Grogan
- “Ebonites” by H. L. Ellison
- “Eusebius of Caesarea” by J. G. G. Norman
- “Heresy” by Stephen S. Smalley
- “Ignatius” by David F. Wright
- “Martyr, Martyrology” by Ralph P. Martin
- “Persecution” by David F. Wells
- “Polycarp” by David F. Wright
- “Presbyter” by W. Stanford Reid
- “Rome” by Clyde Curry Smith
- “Tertullian” by David F. Wright
Dowley, Tim, ed. The Lion Handbook of the History of Christianity. Revised Edition. Oxford, UK: Lion Publishing, 1990.
Eusebius Pamphilus. The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus. Grand Rapids, MI: Reprint, Baker Book House, 1992.
Holmes, Michael W., ed. and trans. The Apostolic Fathers in English. Third Edition; after the earlier version of J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.
Houghton, S. M. Sketches from Church History. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1980.
Leith, John H., ed. Creeds of the Churches. Third Edition. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1982.
Richardson, Cyril C. Early Christian Fathers. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1970.
Schaaf, Philip. History of the Christian Church. Volume 2. Fifth Edition. Originally published in 1858. Reprint, Peabody, MA: Hendricksen Publishers, 1996.
Woodbridge, John D. ed. Great Leaders of the Christian Church. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988.
- “Ignatius of Antioch” by Edwin M. Yamauchi
- “John and the End of the Apostolic Age” by Leon Morris
- “Paul and the Missionary Enterprise” by F. F. Bruce
Workman, Herbert B. Persecution in the Early Church. Bloomington, IN: Warhorn Media, Reprint, 2014.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
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