Clement of Rome

Clement is the third Bishop of Rome after Peter, mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3. His one surviving letter, 1 Clement, was written c. AD 96 to the church at Corinth, which had deposed its presbyters. Clement wrote from Rome without being asked, and intervened with full apostolic authority. He commanded, not merely advised. This is the earliest evidence of the Roman bishop exercising jurisdiction over a distant church in crisis. The letter was held in such high regard it was read as Scripture in some churches for centuries.

Clement is the living bridge between the apostolic age and the Apostolic Fathers. He knew Peter and Paul personally. His letter is the first document in which the Roman church acts as a governing authority over a distant community — and he does it as though it is simply his duty, without apology or argument. The intervention is its own argument.