Letters of Ignatius 6

1For if, in a short time, I had such fellowship with your bishop—not in a merely human way, but in the Spirit—how much more do I congratulate you who are closely joined to him, as the Church is joined to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ to the Father, so that all things may be harmonious in unity.

2Let no one be deceived. If anyone is not within the precinct of the altar, that person lacks the bread [of God]. For if the prayer of one person and another has such great power, how much more does the prayer of the bishop and the whole Church.

3Therefore, whoever does not come to the congregation thereby shows pride and has separated himself, for it is written, “God resists the proud.” Let us therefore be careful not to resist the bishop, so that by our submission we may give ourselves to God.