Irenaeus 
Sunday, November 19, 2023
3:54 PM
Irenaeus
Bishop of Lyons France
Born in Smyrna and likely a Disciple of Polycarp
Important as a leader in the church.  
Significant for our discussion because he opposed a heresy that was gaining traction in the 2nd Century known as Gnosticism.  
Gnosticism claimed to have special knowledge given by Jesus Christ in unique revelation form.
Irenaeus countered that the earliest Bishops were the Apostles taught directly by Jesus.  Their oral tradition had been preserved through the succession of one bishop to the next.  If Jesus had had secret or special teachings, they would have known it.  
His teaching here gives rise to the doctrine of Apostolic Succession.  
From <[link]> 