The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

The Christ therefore is from God and the Apostles from the Christ. In both ways,[*](ἀμφότεραboth is probably adverbial rallior than the subject of ἐγένοντο.) then, they were in accordance with the appointed order of God’s will.

Having· therefore received their commands, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with faith confirmed by the word of God, they went forth in the assurance of the Holy Spirit preaching the good news that the Kingdom of God is coming.

They preached from district to district, and from city to city, and they appointed their first converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of the future believers.

And this was no new method, for many years before had bishops and deacons been written of; for the scripture says thus in one place I will establish their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.

And what wonder is it if those who were in[*](The action of Moses as a type of church organisation) Christ, and were entrusted by God with such a duty, established those who have been mentioned? Since the blessed Moses also A faithful servant in all his house noted down in the sacred books all the injunctions which were given him; and the other prophets follow ed him, bearing witness with him to the laws which he had given.