“Ignatius to the Romans”

IGNATIUS to the Romans

From: “Apostolic Fathers”, Lightfoot & Harmer, 1891 translation

https://earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-romans-lightfoot.html

Ignatius of Antioch was one of the Early Church Fathers. We don’t know the date of his birth, and even though we know he was martyred in Rome, there is no agreement as to the date.

And of course, we do not have a picture of him!

He lived at Antioch, was condemned to death as a Christian because he would not burn incense to Caesar, nor call Caesar “Lord”, but instead of being killed at Antioch, he was brought to Rome to be killed in the Coliseum, as a public spectacle and display of what Rome would do to those who would not bow to her authority.

Once he knew he was going to Rome, he sent this letter to the Christians at Rome.

The letter is short, simple, and clear.

The line that hits me is 5:3, “Now am I beginning to be a disciple.”

We call Hebrews 11, the “Heroes of the Faith”. It is not wrong to have heroes who inspire our faith and conduct.

We Protestants should not let the Roman Church or the Greek Church, claim exclusive rights to heroes like Ignatius of Antioch; he is rightfully a hero for us, because remember, there was no Roman or Greek “Church” when he lived!