1 Clement 42:1-7
1The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ [has done so from God.
2Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ.
3Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God.
4Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand.
5And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe.
6Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons.
7For thus saith the Scripture a certain place, "I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith."