Sign-In
Cart
The Apostolic Fathers Companion: Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Barnabas, the Didache and the Shepherd of Hermas Explained, with a Map, Timelines and a
Paperback
Bible StudiesGeneral Christianity
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Sep 3 2026
Pages: 192
Weight: 0.58
Height: 0.41 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
They arrive bound together under one title, in one typeface, and the packaging quietly implies that they agree with each other. They do not.
The Apostolic Fathers Companion is a guide to the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, the letters and manuals produced by the generation that followed the apostles, between roughly 95 and 165. It is written for the reader who already owns a translation and stalled somewhere inside it.
It works in three movements. First it separates the documents by hand, by city and by decade, because Rome in the 90s and Antioch in the 110s were not the same church having the same conversation. Then it reads each one in turn. Finally it sets them side by side on the questions where they visibly differ.
Every document opens with the same fixed profile: who wrote it, when, from where and to whom, in what language, how much of it survives, whether it was ever treated as scripture, and what it is routinely confused with.
The documents covered- The Roman letter to Corinth, known as First Clement, and why the letter itself names no author
- Second Clement, almost certainly the oldest Christian sermon surviving outside the New Testament
- The seven letters of Ignatius of Antioch, written under military guard on the road to his execution
- Polycarp to the Philippians, and the presbyter who disgraced himself over money
- The Martyrdom of Polycarp, the earliest surviving account of a Christian martyrdom outside scripture
- The Didache, a working church manual nobody knew existed until a Greek bishop opened a codex in 1873
- The Epistle of Barnabas, described as it is rather than softened
- The Shepherd of Hermas, the most popular of these documents in the early church and the one modern readers abandon soonest
- The Epistle to Diognetus, whose only manuscript burned at Strasbourg in 1870
- Papias and Quadratus, who left no surviving books and matter anyway
Church order and the office of bishop, the eucharist, baptism, martyrdom, what they treat as scripture, how they expect the world to end, and what happens to a Christian who fails after baptism. Each question gets its own chapter and a table comparing every document on it.
How it handles the sourcesIt reproduces no translation, modern or public domain. Every passage is located by the chapter and verse divisions that are standard across every edition in print, so you can check any claim in this book against the copy already on your shelf, whichever one that is.
Where specialists disagree, the range is given and the positions are named rather than one being quietly chosen for you. The sentence in Ignatius that produced the phrase catholic church gets a full treatment and is not resolved in anyone's favour. Where Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions have historically read a passage differently, all the readings are set out and identified.
Also inside- A map of the eastern Mediterranean as it stood in 117, with the cities these letters travelled between
- Timelines that show proposed dates as ranges rather than as false certainties
- A chart comparing every document on every disputed question
- An account of which manuscripts carry which text, and why two translations of the same sentence can differ
- Reading orders for a weekend, a month and three months
- A glossary, a cast of names, and a plain statement of the sources used
No prior reading is assumed and no Greek is required. You will need a copy of the texts, and any edition will serve.
Also in
Bible Studies
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Apostle and the Empire: Paul's Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome
Heilig, Christoph
Hardcover
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
Fugelsang, John
Hardcover
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion: With Selected Prayers from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
Michalenko, Seraphim
Paperback
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
The Promise of Heaven Bible Study Guide: Why You Can Get Excited about Your Eternal Home
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide: An Introduction to All 66 Books of the Bible
Trimble, Cameron
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Kathy
Keller, Timothy
Paperback
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Philippians: Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy
Wiersbe, Warren W.
Paperback
Brain Games - Large Print Bible Word Search: The Words of Jesus
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
The Westminster Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition with the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books
John Knox Press, Westminster
Hardcover
Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think
Womack, Faith
Paperback
Catholic Book of Prayers: Popular Catholic Prayers Arranged for Everyday Use (Large Print Edition)
Fitzgerald, Maurus
Paperback
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
The Daily 5-Minute Bible Study for Women: 365 Focused, Encouraging Readings
Compiled by Barbour Staff
Paperback
The Last Book: What You Need to Know About Revelation, the Rapture, and the End Times
Kaddis, James
Hardcover
Exploring Ezekiel: The Next Big War, Earth's Final Days, and Your Eternal Destination
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines
Lennox, John C.
Hardcover
30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English: The 88 Books Canon Including The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan, Ancient Biblical Apocrypha and More Ortho
Various Ancient Authors
Hardcover
Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today
Sobel, Rabbi Jason
Paperback
The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) about Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
McClellan, Dan
Hardcover
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Believing Jesus: Are You Willing to Risk Everything? a Journey Through the Book of Acts
Harper, Lisa
Paperback
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
Grace Bible Study Participant's Guide: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Brain Games - Bible Crossword Puzzles: Prayers, Parables & Prophets - Large Print
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback
The Complete Orthodox Ethiopian Bible in English: A Comprehensive Collection of Scriptures and Apocrypha Including the Book of Enoch, Ezras, Jubilees,
Press, Covenant Sacred
Hardcover
The Circle Maker Bible Study Participant's Guide: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Batterson, Mark
Paperback
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
Resilient Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times
Eldredge, John
Paperback
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback (a Daily Devotional with 366 Bible-Based Readings)
Chambers, Oswald
Paperback
Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us about Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus
Burrell, Kevin
Hardcover
When God Doesn't Fix It Bible Study Guide: Learning to Walk in God's Plans Instead of Our Own
Story, Laura
Paperback
Viviendo Su Voluntad: Cómo El Espíritu Santo Nos Guía a Cumplir Nuestro Propósito Eterno
Franz, Sebastian
Paperback
30 Life Principles Bible Study Updated Edition: A 90-Day Action Plan for Living These Principles
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing
Lambert, Zach W.
Paperback
When God's People Pray Bible Study Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on the Transforming Power of Prayer
Cymbala, Jim
Paperback
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ
Heiser, Michael S.
Paperback
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible, Deluxe Edition--Sage Floral Imitation Leather
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
All the Names in the Bible: Comprehensive Index of Every Person and Place in Scripture
Thomas Nelson
Paperback
La Visión: Una Aterradora Profecía de Los Días Finales del Mundo, Que Ha Comenzado a Manifestarse YA En La Actualidad
Wilkerson, David
Paperback
The Jesus You Can't Ignore: What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback