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"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father.... Let no man do anything connected with the church without the bishop." To the Smyrnaean's, Chap. 8. "It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God." Smyrnaean's, Chap. 8. "It is well to reverence both God and the bishop.
Smyrnaean's, Chap. 9. The power of these bishops advanced steadily during the second century. The churches of the cities where they were located extended themselves into the surrounding country and smaller towns, and the presbyters or elders of these inferior churches were presided over by the bishop of their mother church, and in this manner the great system of diocesan episcopacy was developed.
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