Irenaeus

Irenaeus was a Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France and, more widely, for the development of Christian theology by opposing Gnostic interpretations of Christian Scripture and defending an orthodoxy.

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) was a pivotal early Christian said to be a bishop, theologian, and defender of orthodoxy, known for systematically refuting Gnosticism in his masterpiece Against Heresies, preserving apostolic teaching through his connection to St. John the Apostle, and shaping systematic Christian theology and church structure. Born in Asia Minor (likely Smyrna), he became bishop of Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France) and stressed the reality of Christ's incarnation, the unity of Scripture, and the consistent faith of the universal Church.

In the "Adversus Haereses" by Irenaeus we hear that there were different sects of philosophy in the 2nd-century disparaging and even ridiculing gnosticism. Scholars have had to depend heavily on heresiologists and their hierarchical prejudices because of a lack of alternative sources.

The list in Irenaeus has undoubtedly greater claims to historical accuracy. This author claims that Linus is the Linus mentioned by Paul the Apostle in his 2 Timothy 4:21. The passage by Irenaeus (Against Heresies III.3.3) reads:

"After the Holy Apostles (Peter and Paul) had founded and set the Church in order (in Rome) they gave over the exercise of the episcopal office to Linus. The same Linus is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. His successor was Anacletus."