Bishop as Local Church

[smad0142]

What is the reasoning behind the teaching that Bishop is the local Church? Articles, books, links, whatever are greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[DavidFilmer]

What is the reasoning behind the teaching that Bishop is the local Church?

I’m not familiar with such a teaching.

It sounds slightly similar to some well-known quotes from the Early Church Fathers:

See that you all follow the Bishop, as Christ does the Father, and the presbyterium as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as a command of God. Let no one do anything connected with the Church without the Bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is under the leadership of the Bishop, or one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the Bishop appears, there let the multitude of the people be; just as where Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church

—St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrneans 8 (c. 110 AD)​

For since I was able to establish such an intimacy with your bishop so quickly (an intimacy that was not human but spiritual), how much more do I consider you fortunate, you who are mingled together with him as the church is mingled with Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ with the Father, so that ll things may be symphonic in unison. Let no one be deceived. Anyone who is not inside the sanctuary lacks the bread of God. For if the prayer of one or two persons has such power, how much more will that of the bishop and the entire church? Therefore the one who does not join the congregation is already haughty and passes judgement on himself. For it is written, “God opposes the haughty.” And so we should be eager not to oppose the bishop, that we may be subject to God.

—St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 5 (c. 111 AD)​

These ancient writings emphasize the importance of the Bishop to the local Church, but they do not equate the two.