Early Church
Saturday, October 28, 2023
5:03 PM
Clement of Rome, discussed authorized ministry in the First Epistle to the Corinthians (ca 96 CE).  The exigence for the discussion appears to have been related to attempts to remove faithful elders (presbyters) from their office "We consider therefore that it is not just to remove for their ministry those who were appointed by them [the Apostles], or later on by other eminent men with the consent of the whole Church, and have ministered to the flock of Christ without blame, humbly, peaceably, and disinterestedly, and for many years have received a universally favourable testimony" (43:3). 
Clement's discussion begins with the ministry entrusted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ (42) whose ministry preceded that of "the bishops and deacons" (episkopous, diakonous). He makes
 reference to the of the Levites, Aaron in particular to serve as priests through the budding of his staff within the Tent of Meeting (Numbers 17).  This was done to end quarreling among the tribes of Israel (43:2).  
He indicated that the Apostles anticipated quarrelling over the role of Bishop (44:1) and established a pattern of succession.  
Two or three thoughts--Certainly Clements words contribute to the long discussion over Apostolic succession.  Three additional qualities should be lifted up:
The appointment of authorized leadership within the church acknowledged the human propensity toward enmity where authority and power are involved.  Human organizations need some capacity to identify those persons who either permanently or temporarily have authority within the organization. 
By the time Clement wrote, the offices of bishop, presbyter, and deacon were understood to be permanent.  
The consent and selection included the agency of the Church 
The qualities of a faithful authorized minister were identified as (a) purity (blameless) (b) peaceful, (c) humility, and (d) unselfish.
The three-fold offices of ministry (Bishop, Presbyters, and Deacons) is attested in Ignatius of Antioch (ca. 112 CE). 
Ignatius points to the unity that Jesus had with God the Father as a model for the unity meant to be experienced in the Church saying, "Be diligent therefore to be confirmed in the odinances of the Lord and the Apostles in order that 'you may prosper in all things whatsoever ye do' in the flesh and in the spirit, in faith and love, in the Son and the Father and the Spirit, at the beginning and at the end, together with your revered bishop and with your presbytery, that aptly woven spiritual crown, and with the godly deacons. Be subject to the bishop and to one another, even as Jesus Christ was subject to the Father, and the Apostles were subject to Christ and to the Father, in order that there may be union both of flesh and of Spirit" (Ignatius to the Magnesians, 13:1-2).      
Hippolytus, indicates that the Bishop is selected "by the people"