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How do non-episcopal Protestants respond to St. Ignatius who says you need a Deacon, Priest, and Bishop for a Church?

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St. Ignatius of Antioch, an early Martyr with connection to the apostles, [wrote](http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-authority-of-bishops-from-st.html) that a Deacon, Priest, and Bishop were needed for the Church: >“See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. […] Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. […] Whatsoever [the bishop] shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid.” (St. Ignatius: Letter to the Smyrnaeans; Ch 8) “Let all things therefore be done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, even as He is to the Father.” (St. Ignatius: Letter to the Smyrnaeans; Ch 9) I know non-episcopal Protestants tend to be hesitant to look outside the Bible, but how do they respond to this man who knew the apostles, and was so close to the time of Christ?
Asked by Luke Hill (5538 rep)
Feb 24, 2022, 01:49 AM
Last activity: Feb 24, 2022, 03:43 AM