Clement of Rome
“[A] presbyter (elder) or bishop of the church of Rome,”1 author of the Letter of Clement, and an apostolic father. He was active from 90-100 AD.
- From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham, page 58-59:
He wrote the [Letter of Clement] to try to settle a dispute in the Corinthian church. In a conflict between the older and younger generations, the Corinthian Christians has dismissed all their presbyters and replaced them by new youthful leaders. Clement’s response was to emphasise the need for good order in the Church. He argued that God’s purpose of salvation revealed a sort of “chain of command”: God the Father sent the Lord Jesus Christ, Christ sent the apostles, the apostles appointed bishops (or presbyters) and deacons in the churches, and they in turn appoint their successors. A church must not disturb this chain of command by dismissing its officers without just cause, which did not exist in the case of the Corinthian presbyters. Clement therefore entreated the Corinthians to restore their deposed leaders back into office.
- From The First Epistle of Clement, chapter 32:
WE ARE JUSTIFIED NOT BY OUR OWN WORKS, BUT BY FAITH
All [the Old Testament saints], therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Learn more:
- Got Questions: Who was Clement of Rome?
- Theopedia: Clement of Rome
- EarlyChurch.org: Clement of Rome
- Chrisitan Classics Ethereal Library: Philip Schaff’s Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
- 5 Minutes in Church History: Clement
Related terms:
1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.
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