Letters of Ignatius 84

1[But] shun divisions, since they are the beginning of evils. All of you, follow your bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and the presbytery as the Apostles; and respect the deacons as God’s commandment. Let no one do anything pertaining to the Church apart from the bishop. Let that be held a valid eucharist which is under the bishop or one to whom he has committed it.

2Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; even as wherever Jesus may be, there is the universal Church. It is not lawful apart from the bishop either to baptize or to hold a love-feast; but whatever he approves is also well-pleasing to God, so that everything you do may be sure and valid.