Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

Chapter IV.—The First Successors of the Apostles.

1. That Paul preached to the Gentiles and laid the foundations of the churches “from Jerusalem round about even unto Illyricum,” is evident both from his own words, ^{Edition note 1} and from the account which Luke has given in the Acts. ^{Edition note 2}

2. And in how many provinces Peter preached Christ and taught the doctrine of the new covenant to those of the circumcision is clear from his own words in his epistle already mentioned as undisputed, ^{Edition note 3} in which he writes to the Hebrews of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. ^{Edition note 4}

3. But the number and the names of those among them that became true and zealous followers of the apostles, and were judged worthy to tend the churches founded by them, it is not easy to tell, except those mentioned in the writings of Paul.

4. For he had innumerable fellow-laborers, or “fellow-soldiers,” as he called them, ^{Edition note 5} and most of them were honored by him with an imperishable memorial, for he gave enduring testimony concerning them in his own epistles.

5. Luke also in the Acts speaks of his friends, and mentions them by name. ^{Edition note 6}

6. Timothy, so it is recorded, was the first to receive the episcopate of the parish in Ephesus, ^{Edition note 7} Titus of the churches in Crete. ^{Edition note 8}

7. But Luke, ^{Edition note 9} who was of Antiochian parentage and a physician by profession, ^{Edition note 10} and who was especially intimate with Paul and well acquainted with the rest of the apostles, ^{Edition note 11} has left us, in two inspired books, proofs of that spiritual healing art which he learned from them. One of these books is the Gospel, ^{Edition note 12} which he testifies that he wrote as those who were from the beginning eye witnesses and ministers of the word delivered unto him, all of whom, as he says, he followed accurately from the first. ^{Edition note 13} The other book is the Acts of the Apostles ^{Edition note 14} which he composed not from the accounts of others, but from what he had seen himself.

8. And they say that Paul meant to refer to Luke’s Gospel wherever, as if speaking of some gospel of his own, he used the words, “according to my Gospel.” ^{Edition note 15}

9. As to the rest of his followers, Paul testifies that Crescens was sent to Gaul; ^{Edition note 16} but Linus, whom he mentions in the Second Epistle to Timothy ^{Edition note 17} as his companion at Rome, was Peter’s successor in the episcopate of the church there, as has already been shown. ^{Edition note 18}

10. Clement also, who was appointed third bishop of the church at Rome, was, as Paul testifies, his co-laborer and fellow-soldier. ^{Edition note 19}

11. Besides these, that Areopagite, named Dionysius, who was the first to believe after Paul’s address to the Athenians in the Areopagus (as recorded by Luke in the Acts) ^{Edition note 20} is mentioned by another Dionysius, an ancient writer and pastor of the parish in Corinth, ^{Edition note 21} as the first bishop of the church at Athens.

12. But the events connected with the apostolic succession we shall relate at the proper time. Meanwhile let us continue the course of our history.