======================================================================== I REJOICE IN YOUR MESSENGERS by Ignatius of Antioch ======================================================================== Summary: Ignatius rejoices in the messengers of the church and emphasizes the importance of the bishop and presbyters being subject to the law of Jesus Christ. Topics: "Church Leadership", "Spiritual Authority" Scripture References: 1 Peter 5:5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of unity and submission within the church hierarchy, highlighting the roles of bishops, presbyters, and deacons in maintaining order and spiritual leadership. He expresses gratitude for the leaders in the church and stresses the need for believers to respect and obey those appointed in authority by God, ultimately following the law of Jesus Christ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Since, then, I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most worthy bishop, and through your worthy presbyters Bassus and Apollonius, and through my fellow-servant the deacon Sotio, whose friendship may I ever enjoy, inasmuch as he, by the grace of God, is subject to the bishop and presbytery, in the law of Jesus Christ, [I now write to you]. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/i-rejoice-in-your-messengers/ ========================================================================