|
|
Ignatius 35-107 A.D.
Bishop of Antioch, where disciples were first called Christians
Ignatius was a native Syrian and a
contemporary of John the Apostle and Polycarp. He was the first man
to use the term "catholic," but he never used it in any letter as
referring to anything more than the body of born-again believers who
were in Christ by the Holy Spirit. At no time does he suggest that such
a term applies to anything Roman, or connected with Rome. Nor does he
ever connect it with anyone who thinks that water baptism is a part
of salvation.
The attitude of Ignatius was, "I would rather die for
Christ than rule the whole earth. Leave me to the beasts, that I may by
them be a partaker of God. Welcome, nails and cross! Welcome, broken
bones, bruised body! Welcome, all diabolic torture, if I may but obtain
the Lord Jesus Christ!" Ignatius was thrown to the lions and eaten
alive in 107 A.D.
|