John started the Apostolic Fathers

The phrase "John started the Apostolic Fathers" refers to the idea that John, traditionally believed to be one of Jesus' closest disciples, influenced the early group of Christian writers known as the Apostolic Fathers. These early Christians, active in the late first and early second centuries, sought to preserve and pass down the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. While John himself did not start this group, his influential writings and leadership helped shape their perspectives. The Apostolic Fathers are important for understanding how early Christian beliefs were formed and transmitted after the apostles' time.