========================================================================
  LET NOTHING BE DONE WITHOUT THE BISHOP
  by Ignatius of Antioch
========================================================================

Summary: Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of following the
bishop's guidance and authority in the Church, as a way to ensure that
all activities are done in accordance with God's will.

Topics: "Church Authority", "Ecclesiastical Leadership"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 11:2, 1 Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:5, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of following the
leadership within the Church hierarchy, comparing it to the relationship
between Christ and the Father. He stresses the reverence and obedience
towards bishops, presbyters (elders), and deacons, highlighting their
roles as appointed by God. Ignatius underscores the necessity of the
bishop's presence in Church activities, such as administering the
Eucharist, baptizing, offering sacrifices, and leading love-feasts, as
everything done under the bishop's authority is pleasing to God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father,
and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the
deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment
of God.

Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let
that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the
bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall
appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where
Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him
as the Chief Captain of the Lord's might, and the Governor of every
intelligent nature.

It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or
to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems
good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be
secure and valid.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/let-nothing-be-done-without-the-bishop/
========================================================================