100–160

Writings of the "Apostolic Fathers" (Didache, Papias, Epistle of Barnabas, 2 Clement)

In the first half of the 2nd century a number of early Christian texts appeared, standing between the apostolic age and the apologists.

The Didache ("Teaching of the Twelve Apostles") sets out the moral scheme of the "two ways". It also gives rules for telling true traveling teachers from false ones. Papias of Hierapolis collected oral traditions of the Lord's sayings. He held chiliastic views of Christ's thousand-year kingdom.

The Epistle of Barnabas, probably written in Alexandria, interprets the Old Testament allegorically. The so-called Second Epistle of Clement is the oldest surviving Christian sermon, calling for repentance.

To this same body of tradition belongs the memory of apostolic preaching among the Gentiles. This means John in Ephesus and, by legend, Thomas in India.