The apostles were given the gospel for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. Thus Christ came from God and the apostles from Christ. Both things happened, then, in an orderly way according to the will of God. When, therefore, the apostles received his commands and were fully convinced through the resurrection … they went forth proclaiming the good news … brimming with the confidence through the Holy Spirit. And as they preached throughout the countryside and in the cities, they appointed the first fruits of their ministries as bishops and deacons of those who were about to believe, testing them by the Spirit.
1 Clement (42:1-4) – an early statement of the Doctrine of Apostolic Succession
– an early statement of the Doctrine of Apostolic Succession
For philosophy was a “schoolmaster” to bring the Greek mind to Christ, as the law brought the Hebrews. Thus philosophy was a preparation, paving the way towards perfection in Christ.
Stromateis (1:5:28), also Documents of the Christian Church, p. 7