the end of the 1st century (c. 96–97 AD)

The First Epistle of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians

Clement, the bishop (presbyter) of Rome, wrote an epistle to the church at Corinth. It is traditionally the earliest precisely datable piece of Christian literature after the New Testament. The occasion was that younger members of the Corinthian congregation had removed the presbyters from their ministry.

The letter is largely practical. It draws on Old Testament examples and on the Stoic idea of cosmic harmony, calling for order and submission.

Here for the first time the doctrine of apostolic succession is clearly formulated. God sent Christ, and Christ the apostles. The apostles appointed bishops and deacons and handed on authority to them. So removing conscientious leaders is a grave sin, and their authority cannot be taken away by the congregation itself.

In the letter the terms "presbyter" and "bishop" are still interchangeable. There is no clear distinction between them and no threefold ministry yet in place. The letter also affirms the Savior's pre-existence.

The Apostolic Fathers are described as authors whose teaching agrees with Scripture but is meager, indefinite, and inclined to moralism and legalism. They include Clement, the Didache, the Shepherd of Hermas, as well as Barnabas, Polycarp, Papias, Ignatius, and the anonymous Epistle to Diognetus. Their writings are important as evidence for the New Testament canon and as a bridge to the Apologists.