The following is taken from the epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians. Clement, the associate of Paul and successor to Peter, was pope of Rome ten or so years after the apostles' martyrdom in the late 60's and is named in the Roman canon after popes Linus and Cletus. He is one of the most important figures in Church history: his letter marks the transition from the age of the apostles to that of the apostolic fathers. It is particularly important for its theological method, its doctrines, and its vocabulary, all of which later become standard in the Greek fathers. Though the entire letter is worth reading, the excerpts below, taken from chapters 40-44, are the most critical.
It behooves us to do all things in order which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. He has enjoined offerings [Gk. προσφορας] and service [λειτουργιας] to be performed, and that not thoughtlessly or irregularly, but at the appointed times and hours. Where and by whom he desires these things to be done, he himself has fixed by his own supreme will, in order that all things, being piously done according to his good pleasure, may be acceptable unto him. Those, therefore, who present their offerings at the appointed times, are accepted and blessed; for inasmuch as they follow the laws of the Lord, they sin not. For his own peculiar services are assigned to the high priest, and their own proper place is prescribed to the priests, and their own special ministrations devolve on the Levites. The layman is bound by the laws that pertain to laymen. Let every one of you, brethren, give thanks [ευχαριστειτω] to God in his own order, living in all good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of the ministry prescribed to him...
The apostles... appointed the first fruits, having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons [lit. overseers and servants] of those who should afterwards believe... what wonder is it if those in Christ who were entrusted with such a duty by God, appointed those before mentioned, when the blessed Moses also, "a faithful servant in all his house" [Hebrews 3:5]... when rivalry arose concerning the priesthood [ιερωσυνης]... commanded the twelve princes of the tribes to bring him their rods, each one being inscribed with the name of the tribe. He took them and bound them, and sealed them with the rings of the princes of the tribes, and laid them up in the tabernacle of witness on the table [τραπεζαν] of God... When the morning had come... the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but to bear fruit upon it... Did not Moses know beforehand that this would happen? Undoubtedly he knew; but he acted thus, that there might be no sedition in Israel... Our apostles also knew through Christ that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason... they appointed [bishops and deacons], and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men... cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily offered the gifts [προσενεγκοντας τα δωρα]. Blessed are those presbyters [lit. elders] who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure, for they have no fear lest anyone deprive them of the place now appointed them.
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