The Second Century Church, part two
In our last article, we began to read how Aristides, one of the Christian leaders and writers from the second century, described the Christians of his day. His Apology was written around A. D. 125 - about 25 years after the death of the Apostle John and about 30 years after the book of Revelation was written. Aristides described the love of God which was strong in the Church of his day. In later articles, we will read of the power and wisdom of the second century Church. Now let's continue to read how Aristides described the Church of his day:
“They do not commit adultery, nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor covet the things of others. They honor father and mother, and love their neighbors. They judge justly, and they never do to others what they would not wish to happen to themselves. They appeal to those who injure them, and try to win them as friends. They are eager to do good to their enemies. They are gentle and easy to be entreated. They abstain from all unlawful behavior and from all impurity . . .”
“The race of the Christians is more blessed than all the men upon the face of the earth. For great indeed, and wonderful is the doctrine of the Christians, to him who will search into it and reflect upon it. And verily, this is a new people, and there is something divine in the midst of them. This is the way of the truth which leads to the everlasting kingdom promised through Christ in the life to come . . . their doctrine is the gateway of light. Wherefore let all who are without the knowledge of God draw near to it and receive its incorruptible words . . .” (See pages 113-114 of Polycarp book)
The new revised and expanded edition (2016) of Polycarp and the Second Century Church is now available. Click here to see on Amazon and Kindle.
“They do not commit adultery, nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor covet the things of others. They honor father and mother, and love their neighbors. They judge justly, and they never do to others what they would not wish to happen to themselves. They appeal to those who injure them, and try to win them as friends. They are eager to do good to their enemies. They are gentle and easy to be entreated. They abstain from all unlawful behavior and from all impurity . . .”
“The race of the Christians is more blessed than all the men upon the face of the earth. For great indeed, and wonderful is the doctrine of the Christians, to him who will search into it and reflect upon it. And verily, this is a new people, and there is something divine in the midst of them. This is the way of the truth which leads to the everlasting kingdom promised through Christ in the life to come . . . their doctrine is the gateway of light. Wherefore let all who are without the knowledge of God draw near to it and receive its incorruptible words . . .” (See pages 113-114 of Polycarp book)
The new revised and expanded edition (2016) of Polycarp and the Second Century Church is now available. Click here to see on Amazon and Kindle.