100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
64. Clement of Rome (A.D. 30-100)
Clement was elected bishop of Rome near the end of the first century. The prolific writer Origen (A.D. 185 – 254) stated that Clement was a disciple of the original Apostles A, as did Irenaeus (A.D. 130 – 202) B. Both Origen and the famous historian Eusebius (A.D. 260 – 340) identified Clement with the fellow worker of Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:3.C Tertullian (A.D. 160 – 220) recorded that Peter himself appointed Clement bishop of Rome D.
Clement wrote one epistle to the Corinthian Christians, which was still extant in many copies in Eusebius’s time, and widely respected by the Church at large. Today one ancient manuscript exists as part of the famous Codex Alexandrius, a third century collection of New Testament books.
Clement’s epistle contains many clear allusions to the writings of Paul, the book of Hebrews, and the Book of Acts. The words attributed to Christ in this epistle parallel the sayings of Christ recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke as well, affirming that these works were already in existence and considered authoritive before the end of the first century. In other words, well within the lifetimes of the various witnesses to Jesus, the New Testament was already written, propagated, and accepted as fact by multitudes of people – a difficult situation to explain if there was absolutely no compelling historical evidence for the New Testament’s claims.
64. Clement of Rome (A.D. 30-100) - Notes and References
A. De Principus, Book II, chapter 3
B. ‘Against Heresies’, Book III, Chapter 3 states that Clement “had the preaching of the Apostles still echoing in his ears and their doctrine in front of his eyes.”
C. Origen, “Comm. In Joan”. I.29, Eusebius, “The Church History”, 3.15
D. “For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their registers: as the church in Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John; as also the church in Rome, which makes Clement to have been ordained in like manner by Peter.” Tertullian (AD 160-220), “On Prescription Against Heretics”, XXXII, translation by Rev. Peter Holmes, D.D., F.R.A.S., “Anti-Nicene Fathers”, Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, p. 258 This volume includes the footnote: “[Linus and Cletus must have died, or been martyred, therefore, almost as soon as appointed. Our author had seen these registers no doubt.]