100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
65. Ignatius (A.D. 70 –107)
Ignatius was bishop of Antioch and friend of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (who himself was a disciple of John the Apostle). He had been bishop for 40 years when he was arrested for being a Christian during the short but intense period of persecution in the reign of the emperor Trajan. Ignatius was taken to Rome for trial, and during the journey he authored seven letters, six of which were addressed to various churches, one to his friend Polycarp.
The Ignatian letters are replete with quotations from the New Testament, making it certain that these books were already written and considered authoritive by his time. Ignatius’ unwavering belief in the reliability of the New Testament must be considered in the light of his friendship with Polycarp. If Ignatius was misplacing his trust in the teachings of the New Testament, it is certain that Polycarp, who was directly connected to the Apostles through John, would surely have corrected his friend. There is no hint of this. Ignatius’ trust in the reliability of the New Testament record appears well placed indeed.