Some say there were no paid clergy in the first century and that the paid clerics are an apostasy that slowly progressed into a large scale and began after the end of the Apostolic age.
”gather teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled.”
Some argue this was a prophecy Paul foretold and Clement’s letter to the Corinthians warned of this.
Were all first century baptised true Christians ordained ministers?
Was theology taught in each church or congregation to those learning about YHWH and Christ so they could become a baptised ordained minister instead of the division between clergy and laity we find in most churches today?
Let me quote:
“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
(Acts 20:29-31)
“This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”
(2. Timothy 1:15)
The first guy I know of who was of that type was Ignatius of Antioch, an “apostolic father”
“Therefore as the Lord did nothing without the Father, [being united with Him], either by Himself or by the Apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and the presbyters”
(Magnesians 7:1a)
“[But] shun divisions, as the beginning of evils. Do ye all follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and the presbytery as the Apostles; and to the deacons pay respect, as to God’s commandment. Let no man do aught of things pertaining to the Church apart from the bishop.”
(Smyrnaeans 8:1a)
“I advise you, be ye zealous to do all things in godly concord, the bishop presiding after the likeness of God and the presbyters after the likeness of the council of the Apostles… be ye united with the bishop and with them that preside over you.”
(Magnesians 6:1b, 2b)
He was also one early proponent towards the “marian flesh” doctrine (which I personally do not find in the bible) and he was adding some force behind his teachings:
“Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary”
(Trallians 7:1)
You find all these guys popping up claiming to be successors of Apostles. They were dogmatic as well and (as I find) are not lining up with the scripture we have.
BDEhrman
FreedomBen
evgendob
Robert
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