ЄДНІСТЬ ЦЕРКВИ ХРИСТОВОЇ В ІНТЕРПРЕТАЦІЇ МУЖІВ АПОСТОЛЬСЬКИХ

Abstract

The article presents exploration of a separate and historically formed religion – Christianity, about the unity of the Church, which is considered in the interpretation of the Apostolic Men, who sought to strengthen the Church and support Christians, because at that time they suffered due to the danger of pagan persecution and heretical manifestations among communities. They normalized the hierarchical factor among the churches that were scattered throughout the Roman provinces. At that time, dioceses had just begun to appear, in their original form, which was borrowed from the Byzantine, or more precisely, from the ancient Greek model, which regulated political and supervisory trade relations delegated to the bishop (Greek. επαρχος), and in the Roman Empire – to the overseer (Greek. επισκοπος) in the diocese (lat. dioecesis). Apostolic disciples developed a unique hierarchical order, which for many centuries ensured the preservation of unity on the territory of the then ancient world. The significance of patristic theological concepts and postulates that form the church of Christ, however, exclusively as a gathering of the faithful, for whom it is important to expand their personal understanding of soteriology and commandments that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples and their followers, is highlighted. The Church, this gathering always has its founder the Lord Jesus Christ, but its development was continued by the holy apostles and those who were appointed by them for evangelical preaching, service, instruction and in the matter of salvation for those who believed in Christ Jesus, who came to earth, to save a person by showing an example, as well as commandments and instructions. To date, a rather small number of Christian churches understand the concept of unity in its ontological apostolic teaching. The importance of revealing this multifaceted issue is aimed at rethinking the Christian worldview in its unitary and ecclesiological original nature. This article is to highlight the views on the unity of the Church of Christ of the early fathers who were witnesses of apostolic activity. The students who were taught by the apostles during the 1st and 2nd centuries fought for the establishment of the United Cathedral and Apostolic Church. To reveal the ecclesiological understanding of the organization of early assemblies, their hierarchical component and the role of the bishop in the formation of church unity among the people of the ancient world.