Ignatius of Antioch served as the Bishop of the city of Antioch located in Syria 67AD – 107AD. Ignatius claimed to be the third bishop there, and bishop of Syria.[1] There is a non-canonical writing that places him as a very young child in the text of the New Testament. “And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

In the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy this small child that Jesus used as an object lesson was none other than the future Ignatius of Antioch. In reality there is nothing to prove it or disprove it. 

A 5^th century Christian Bishop from Syria reported that Peter ordained Ignatius as the Bishop of Antioch shortly before Peter’s own death around 67 AD. Because of the volume of the writings by Ignatius, it is highly probably that he was a student and disciple of both the Apostle Peter and the Apostle John. Ignatius is considered to be the strongest link between the apostles of Jesus Christ and the Apostolic Church Fathers and Doctors.     

Ignatius was arrested in Antioch because he was a Christian and was slowly transported to Rome for execution. During the journey to Rome he wrote six letters to various Churches – including one to the Church at Rome, and one letter to a personal friend named Polycarp who we will discuss later. 

When he finally reached Rome he was publically martyred at the Coliseum in Rome. The account of his martyrdom reveals that he was fed to the wild beasts. His mortal remains were originally transported back to Antioch by his friends and colleagues in ministry. Tradition speaks to the fact that he was later laid to rest with Clement of Rome in Rome.     

The main works of Ignatius of Antioch are comprised of those seven letters written specifically on his way to his mortal death. They are written in haste and are difficult to read because many of them were not grammatically correct. The original manuscripts still exist.  

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Ephesians

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-lightfoot.html

In this letter he writes to encourage them to harmony and the love of Christ. Ignatius also admonishes them to continue to keep evil teachers away from them.

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Magnesians

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-magnesians-lightfoot.html

This letter was written from Smyrna. Ignatius encouraged them to respect their younger Bishop. He also warned them against the deadly heresies of Judiazers. He encouraged them to convert the Jews in their community to Christianity. He commanded the Christians to not participate in Judaism.

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Trallians

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-trallians-lightfoot.html

This letter was written from Smyrna. He told them to flee the evil off shoots of Christianity (the Gnostics) that produce deadly fruits. He told them that these people are not of the Father. He threatened that if they would eat their fruit that they would die.

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Romans

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-romans-lightfoot.html

This letter was written from Smyrna also. Ignatius tells them not to intervene for him, but to allow him to die as a martyr. Ignatius really desired to die a violent death like Jesus died for him.  

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Philadelphians

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-philadelphians-lightfoot.html

This letter was written from Troas. He presented the theme of loving unity and fleeing divisions. He also warned them strongly against the divisive Judaizers.

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to the Smyrnaeans

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-lightfoot.html

This letter was also written from Troas. This letter talked in depth about the role of the bishop in Christian liturgy. He said the Bishop needed to be present for baptisms and for Holy Communion.

Read Ignatius of Antioch’s Letter to Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-polycarp-lightfoot.html

Ignatius expressed several key themes in his ministry and writings. He was also very thankful to the Churches he wrote to for all of their support. He taught extensively on ecclesiology – specifically that the Christians everywhere should respect their bishop, their presbyters and their deacons.

He taught extensively on the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, readily endorsing the doctrine of transubstantiation. He referred to the Sacraments as the “medicine of immortality”. He saw this world generally as a place to be escaped, and not to be valued in any materialistic way.

Theologically he discussed the Virgin Birth as a necessary doctrine. He also initiated the word “catholic” (meaning = universal) “katholikos” – the Church in the whole world.[2]  He stressed the importance of being a willing martyr. “Immatio Christi” dying a violent death is truly following Jesus Christ.