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Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
6
Traditions
Reset
Doctrines
Apostolic Succession 1 Christology 12 church 1 Ecclesiology 83 Eschatology 24 existence-of-god 2 Grace & Free Will 3 grace-justification 1 Liturgy 0 Mariology 15 Mariology 0 moral-theology 9 natural-law 3 papacy 0 Petrine Ministry 33 Pneumatology 6 Prayer & Devotion 5 Purgatory 1 saints 0 salvation 6 Scripture & Tradition 34 social-teaching 0 Soteriology 7 The Eucharist 37 The Priesthood 11 The Resurrection 1 The Sacraments 37 The Trinity 9

THE PRIESTHOOD

10 records
What the early Church fathers taught on this doctrine
Affirmed (10)
Which modern traditions agree with the early Church on this doctrine?
Dark bar = identical/convergent · Light = partial agreement
Catholic
90% 9/10
Orthodox
90% 9/10
Lutheran
50% 5/10
Reformed
40% 4/10
Baptist
40% 4/10
Evangelical
40% 4/10
By Era
1
Apostolic
6
Ante-nicene
1
Nicene
2
Post-nicene
Figures Attesting
10 Belief Records
DD Didache c. AD 90
The Didache permits bishops and deacons to fulfil the liturgical role of prophets in the Church
affirmed
CA Clement of Alexandria c. AD 195
Clement of Alexandria argues married life is honourable before God and celibacy is not required for salvation
affirmed
CA Clement of Alexandria c. AD 195
A bishop is to be married no more than once — the Pauline qualification limits prior marriages, not celibacy
affirmed
TT Tertullian c. AD 200
Women did not hold the office of bishop, priest, or deacon in the early Church
affirmed
DA Didascalia Apostolorum c. AD 230
The Didascalia Apostolorum teaches that widows must not baptise or teach men — only care for women
affirmed
CC Cyprian of Carthage c. AD 249
Consecrated virginity is praised as the higher part, but not imposed — it is offered as an inducement to glory, not a yoke of necessity
affirmed
CC Cyprian of Carthage c. AD 250
The ordained priesthood is a distinct office with sacrificial powers
affirmed
JC John Chrysostom c. AD 390
Chrysostom teaches that the bishop must be prepared to give an account for every soul in his flock
affirmed
AH Augustine of Hippo c. AD 400
Ordination, like baptism, cannot be repeated — both are sacraments given once
affirmed
GG Gregory the Great c. AD 595
Simony — purchasing holy orders or church office — is a grave sin
affirmed
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