Tradition places the martyrdom of Ignatius in the reign of Trajan, who was emperor of Rome from 98 to 117 AD.
And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ.
If any one walks according to a strange opinion, he agrees not with the passion [of Christ].He warns the Philadelphians not to listen to Jewish Christians who were advocating that Christians ought to observe the Torah: But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him.
For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised.Ignatius also mentions that his home church in Antioch has recently found "peace" (cf.
7), resolving its earlier schisms, and that the Philadelphians should follow its example by electing deacons to lead their church: Since, according to your prayers, and the compassion which you feel in Christ Jesus, it is reported to me that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria possesses peace, it will become you, as a Church of God, to elect a deacon to act as the ambassador of God [for you] to [the brethren there], that he may rejoice along with them when they are met together, and glorify the name [of God].