The apostolic fathers .

A body of writings around the time of the books of the New Testament is known as the apostolic fathers and the period is known has to be apostolic age. Special significance is attached to this period, defined as the time between the death and resurrection of Jesus and the death of 'the last apostle', though its end cannot be precisely dated . although the Apostles' Creed is not now believed to go back to the apostles, it bears witness to the need to derive authority from the apostles, as does the apostolic succession, the belief that Bishops today have been ordained in a constant chain of laying on of hands from the apostolic age.

The concern to maintain an authoritative list of Bishops of Rome (or Popes) from Peter to the present day is almost evidence of this. The works of the apostolic fathers comprise two letters attributed to Clement, Bishop of Rome, seven letters of Ignatius, a letter of Polycarp and an account of his martyrdom, a short work entitled Didache (teaching) a letter attributed to Barnabas an anonymous letter to Diognetus, and a long work, the Shepherd of Hermas. It is difficult to give them precise dates