This are the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, a collection of early Christian documents, dating from the late first and early second centuries. That bridge the gap between the New Testament and the later writings of the Church Fathers. They primarily deal with issues facing the nascent Christian communities, such as church order and hierarchy (e.g., the roles of bishops, presbyters, and deacons), ethics and moral instruction (emphasizing practical Christian living, like love, patience, and avoiding sin), defending against internal schisms and heresies, and encouraging believers during times of persecution. These works offer vital insight into the developing structures, beliefs, and practices of the early church right after the apostles' time.
Edited by James Tauber and Seumas Macdonald. Based on the text of Kirsopp Lake and originally digitised by the Perseus Digital Library and the Open Greek and Latin First Thousand Years of Greek project.