Have respect to the bishop as to Christ Himself - Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch : Early Church Father, whose good friend St. Polycarp had learned his faith from St. John the Evangelist, disciple of Jesus Christ was also called Theophorus (ho Theophoros); born in Syria, around the year 50; died at Rome between 98 and 117. For all doubters of apostolic succession read below how he exhorts the faithful to follow the bishops as they were Christ himself. This is very early in the development of the Christianity and the Church already existed. As John Henry Newman wrote:"To be deep in history, is to cease to be a Protestant"

"Now the more any one sees the bishop keeping silence, That is, “showing forbearance.” the more ought he to revere him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household, as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself. And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in God, that ye all live according to the truth, and that no sect Or, “heresy.” has any dwelling-place among you. Nor, indeed, do ye hearken to any one rather than to Jesus Christ speaking in truth.

The more, therefore, you see the bishop silent, the more do you reverence him. For we ought to receive every one whom the Master of the house sends to be over His household, as we would do Him that sent him. It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would look upon the Lord Himself, standing, as he does, before the Lord.

For “it behoves the man who looks carefully about him, and is active in his business, to stand before kings, and not to stand before slothful men.”after. And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in God, that ye all live according to the truth, and that no sect has any dwelling-place among you. Nor indeed do ye hearken to any one rather than to Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd and Teacher. And ye are, as Paul wrote to you, “one body and one spirit, because ye have also been called in one hope of the faith. Since also “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.” Such, then, are ye, having been taught by such instructors, Paul the Christ-bearer, and Timothy the most faithful.