< Pre-Nicea: Evidence of What Early
Christians Taught
Part 11 – Specific
Individuals
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
July 17, 2015 version
What Did the Early Church Do?
In the previous sessions we have been investigating what doctrines early Christians taught, believed in, and died for. But they did much more than just teach doctrine. They also shared their experience with us, and their practices, and this and the following sessions will look at those.
Whatever group you are a part of, you might be curious to see where your group matches with what they taught and where it does not.
We are evangelical Christians, and our approach is to objectively report the truth, - let the chips fall where they may.
Early Christians were not perfect. But if there was a doctrine that nobody interpreted a certain way until modern times, one might wonder how valid that interpretation is.
Old Testament Individuals
O1. Cain murdered Abel (9) Gen 4:1-16; Mt 23:35; Lk 11:51
O2. Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice (8) Gen 22
O3. Joseph and/or his brothers (13) Gen 37-47
O4. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt (9) Ex 12-14
O5. Joshua obeyed God to conquer Canaan (9) Joshua 1
O6. David was godly (except adultery) (15) 2 Sam 7
O7. King Solomon was wise (16) 1 Ki 3
O8. Elijah was a godly prophet (10) 1 Ki 18-20; Lk 9:33
O9. Hezekiah and the Assyrian army (6) 2 Ki 19
O10. Jonah in the fish or warned Ninevites (8) Jonah; Mt12; Lk11
O11. Samson (9) Jdg 13:24-16:30; Heb 11:32
Examples of O2 and O10
O2. Letter of Barnabas (100-150 A.D.) says that the Son of God was to offer in sacrifice for our sins, as the type established in Isaac when he was offered on the alter. ch.7 p.141
O10. Justin Martyr (138-165 A.D.) mentions Jonah preaching to the city of Ninevah after he had been cast up on the third day from the belly of the great fish. This is a sign of Christ. Dialogue with Trypho ch.107 p.252
Note that many other Old Testament individuals were discussed too.
Religions Today that Disagree
"Liberal Christians" generally do not believe that a great fish swallowed Jonah.
Response of a Sunni Muslim Imam
O1. Cain murdered Abel agreed
O2. Abraham offered Isaac as a type of Christ disagreed, the Qur'an implies Ishmael. [I mentioned that while Muslims today say it was Ishmael, the Qur'an, in mentioning this incident, does not specify which son. The Muslim historian al-Tabari gave a list of early Muslim scholars who believed it was Isaac, and a larger list of Muslim scholars who believed it was Ishmael. He responded that the Qur'an implies Ishmael.]
O3. Joseph and/or his brothers agreed
O4. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt agreed
O5. Joshua obeyed God to conquer Canaan Not aware of any mention of this
O6. David was godly (except adultery) Disagreed with the exception [He does not believe David committed adultery with Bathsheba.]
O7. King Solomon was wise agreed
O8. Elijah was a godly prophet agreed
O9. Hezekiah and the Assyrian army no mention of this
O10. Jonah in the fish and warned Ninevites agreed
New Testament Individuals
N1. Herod's slaughter in Bethlehem (7) Mt 2:16
N2. John the Baptist - a godly forerunner (17) Mt3;Mk1;Jn1
N3. Judas betrayed Jesus (18) Mt 26; Mk14;Lk22; Jn18;Ac1:16
N4. Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus (11) Lk 23:4-25; Jn 18-19
N5. High Priest Caiaphas/Herod tried Jesus (8) Mt 26:57-67
N6. Peter was a godly apostle or martyr (24) Jn21:7
N7. James the Lord's brother was godly (8) Ac15:13; 1Cr15:7
N8. Mary Magdalene (5) Mt 27:56,61;28:1;Mk15:40;16:1;Jn20:1
N9. Barnabas was a godly brother (6) Acts 13:2; 14:1-3;15:22
N10. Paul was a godly apostle of Christ (22) 2 Pet 3:15-16
More New Testament Individuals
N11. Cornelius the centurion was saved (7) Acts 10
N12. Thomas the apostle (9) Jn 20:24-29
N13. Stephen the martyr (10) Acts 6:5-7:60
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Veneration / devotion to saints in heaven
X Excommunicated heretic a saint after death
[such as Joan of Arc]
X After death church can bestow sainthood
X Saints have stores of merit
X Pray through images of saints
X Pray to saints
X Viewing church relics builds up merit
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Mary never sinned or had original sin
X Mary is the co-redeemer or co-mediator
X She suffered for us at Jesus' crucifixion
X Mary had six other sufferings for us too
X Bodily assumption of Mary into heaven
X Mary is the Queen of Heaven
X Mary's intercession in our conversion
X Mary is heaven's gate
Absent Things About Devotion to Mary
X Mary has unlimited stored of merit
X Veneration of Mary
X Pray to Mary or say hail Mary's
X Fine for the Pope to be devoted to Mary
X Visions of Mary
X Devoted to a specific Mary (example: Guadalupe)
X Accept a Mary supporting heretical book (Medjagorje)
X Mary takes scapula wearer from purgatory
X Rosary beads
Religions Back Then That Disagreed
Ebionites did not believe Paul was a good follower of Christ
Response of a Sunni Muslim Imam
N1. Herod's slaughter in Bethlehem no mention
N2. John the Baptist was a godly forerunner agreed
N3. Judas wickedly betrayed Jesus I think [All Muslims and Christians agree that it appeared that Jesus died on the cross. Christians and the Bible say that he really did die on the cross, and Muslims and the Qur'an say that God miraculously caused another to appear like Jesus, and the other died on the cross. Some Muslims think it was Judas who actually died on the cross, others think it was a volunteer among the disciples, and others someone God created.]
Due to time, we stopped here and did not get any farther.
Pre-Nicea: Evidence of What Early
Christians Taught
Part 12 – Experiencing
God in this World
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
Experiencing God
X1. Our bodies are God's temple/temples (9) 1 Cor 3:16
X2. God/Christ lives inside of Christians (10) Rom 8:9
X3. Prayer to God is important (39) Mk 11:25; Jms 5:13
X4. Pray at all times or in any place (9) 1 Th 5:17
X5. Pray to Jesus (6) Acts 7:59
X6. Thankfulness/gratitude to God (15) Php 4:6; Rom 1:21
X7. Fasting to God is good (14) Mt 6:16; Acts 13:2; 14:23
X8. Seek wisdom from God or His word (5) Eph 1:17
X9. The Lord disciplines or corrects us (7) Heb 12:5-11
X10. Be peaceful, kind, gentle, or good (12) Php 4:8
Examples of X2 and X5
X2. Letter of Barnabas (100-150 A.D.) "in our habitation God truly dwells in us." ch.16 p.147
X5. Clement of Alexandria (193-217/220 A.D.) "All that remains therefore now, in such a celebration of the Word as this, is that we address to the Word our prayer. Prayer to the Paedagogus. Be gracious, O Instructor, to us Thy children, Father, Charioteer of Israel, Son and Father, both in One, O Lord." The Instructor book 3 ch.12
Religions Today that Disagree
Jehovah's Witnesses have taught that God does not live inside of believers who are the great multitude (not the 144,000)
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Pray for the dead
X Pray through images of Jesus
X Service should be in Latin or Greek
X Causing yourself pain can be good
Not of This World
n1. We need to repent and come to God (30) Acts 2:38
n2. Obey or love God (21) Lk 10:27; Jn 1:15,23; 1 Jn 2:15,17
n3. Follow Jesus, or His example (10) Jn 10:4-5; 1 Jn 2:6
n4. Bear/Take up the cross and follow Christ (5) Mk 8:34
n5. Struggle to live a victorious life (7) 1 Cor 15:57; 1 Jn 5:4
n6. Put on the full armor of God/righteousness (9) Eph 6:11
n7. Faithful Christians still get sick (6) Gal 4:13; Php 2:26-27
n8. Suffer persecution or martyrdom (53) 1 Th 3:2-4
n9. No sorcery, witchcraft, or magic (13) Dt 18:10-12
n10. Exorcism or casting out devils (13) Mt 17:14-20
Examples of n5
n5. Clement of Alexandria (193-217/220 A.D.) But let him go and put himself under the Word as his trainer, and Christ the President of the contest; and for his prescribed food and drink let him have the New Testament of the Lord; and for exercises, the commandments; and for elegance and ornament, the fair dispositions, love, faith, hope, knowledge of the truth, gentleness, meekness, pity, gravity: so that, when by the last trumpet the signal shall be given for the race and departure hence, as from the stadium of life, he may with a good conscience present himself victorious before the Judge who confers the rewards, confessedly worthy of the Fatherland on high, to which he returns with crowns and the acclamations of angels." Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved ch.3 p.592
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Pray enough and you will not be sick
Religions Today that Disagree
Christian Science has taught that if someone has faith, their sickness, handicap, or poor eyesight should be cured.
Pre-Nicea: Evidence of What Early
Christians Taught
Part 13 – Practicing
Love
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
Individual Practice
I1. Do not worship other gods (26) Dt 27:15; Ps 97:7
I2. Stars have no influence on people (9) Isa 47:13
I3. Have patience or self-control (10) Jms 5:8; Tt 1:8; 2:5
I4. Don't let the sun go down on your anger (5) Eph 4:26
I5. Have pure speech (10) Pr 4:24; 15:2; Eph 4:29; Jms 3:2-12
I6. Forsake lies (10) Eph 4:25; Prov 12:19-20
I7. Do not get drunk (19) Eph 5:18; Tt 1:7; 2:3
I8. Eating meat is fine (12) Jn 21:10-13; Acts 10:12-13
I9. Do not be a slave of your belly (11) Php 3:19; Pr 28:7
I10. Vanity / avoid vain things (26) Ecc; Eph 4:17; 2 Pet 2:18
More on Individual Practice
… Many but not all Christians agree
m7. There are greater/mortal & lesser sins. (6) Jn 19:11b; 1 Jn 5:16b-17; Ezek 8:6,13,15
m12. Drinking wine is OK (5) 1 Tim 5:23; (Implied) Tt 2:3
… Disputed by many Christians today
d7. Against jewelry or false/dyed hair (partial) (6) 1 Pet 3:3
d8. Christians must fast on certain days (5) -
d9. No drinking or eating blood (5) Acts 15:29
Examples of m7 and m12
m7. The Shepherd of Hermas (c.160 A.D.) speaks of the heathen bringing greater sin upon themselves by idolatry. Book 2 similitude 7 is speaks of sins that is great, but not great enough to be delivered over to a [punishing] angel." book 2 commandment 11th p.27
m12. Clement of Alexandria (193-217/220 A.D.) says that mixing wine with water is fine and healthy. He then has a lengthy passage on the evils of drunkenness. The Instructor book 2 ch.2 [title On Drinking] p.242-246
Did They Cover all the Bases?
The importance of eating healthy and some exercise
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Do not eat meat on Fridays
X Indulgences for yourself
X Can buy indulgence on sin before doing it
X You can buy indulgences for others
X Special years and deals on indulgences
Religions Back then that Disagreed
Tatian and Encratite Gnostics did not believe in eating meat or drinking wine.
Other ascetic Gnostics likely did not believe in eating meat.
Religions Today that Disagree
Some New Agers try to claim that Jesus did not eat meat. There was a billboard in Houston that said that. However, besides being a good Jew (which included eating the Passover lamb), Jesus cook fish for the disciples.
Loving Others
L1. Love all /neighbor as yourself (11) Lev19:18; Mk12:31; Lk10:27
L2. Forgive and love others/enemies; turn other cheek. (14) Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27-30,35
L3. Do not get revenge (9) Rom 12:19; 1 Pet 3:19; Lev 19:18
L4. Do not be a gossip or chatterer (4) 1 Tim 5:13
L5. Do to others as you would them do to you (7) Lk 6:31
L6. Do not murder (18) Mt 5:21; Mk 10:19; Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17
L7. Abortion is evil/murder (11) Ex 21:22-23
L8. Care for the sick (10) Mt 25:36,39,43,44
L9. Practice hospitality (13) Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 5:10; Tt 1:8; 1 Pet 4:9
L10. Love covers a multitude of sins (4) 1 Pet 4:8
Examples of L5 and L7
L5. Didache (=Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) (c.125 A.D.) "First love the Lord your God, and second, love your neighbor as yourself; and whatsoever though wouldst should not occur to thee, though also to another do not do." ch.1.5 p.377
L7. Hippolytus bishop of Portus (225-235/6 A.D.) says, "When women, reputed believers, began to resort to drugs for producing sterility, and to gird themselves round, so to expel what was being conceived on account of their not wishing to have a child either by a slave or by any paltry fellow, for the sake of their family and excessive wealth. Behold, into how great impiety that lawless one has proceeded, by inculculating adultery and murder at the same time!" The Refutation of All Heresies book 9.7 p.131
Did They Cover all the Bases?
How to mentor and disciple others
When do you rebuke vs. correct?
Caring for the environment
Religions Today that Disagree
"Liberal Christians" disagree among themselves about whether abortion is wrong or not.
Money and Contentment
M1. Do not love money (21) Mt 6:19-24; Heb 13:5; 1 Tim 6:10
M2. No stealing or financial dishonesty (20) Eph 4:28; 1 Pet 4:15
M3. Help the poor (14) Lk 14:13; Ac 9:36; Gal 2:10; Jms 2:15-16
M4. Help widows or orphans (11) Jms 1:27; 1 Tim 5:3
M5. Heavenly treasure; don't fear earthly loss (16) Lk 12:15-
M6. Do not envy, covet or be jealous (19) 1 Cor 13:4-5; Jms 3:14
M7. Be humble or not proud (12) Mt 20:24-28; 1 Cor 13:4; Jms 4:6
M8. Be content with what you have (6) Rom 12:10; 1 Pet 5:5
M9. We rejoice when afflicted (9) Mt 5:11; Lk 6:22; Jms 1:2-4
M10. We rejoice besides being afflicted (21) Php 3:1; 1 Th 5:16
M11. No selfish ambition (8) Gal 5:26; Php 2:3; Jms 3:14-16
Examples of M5 and M9
M5. Cyprian (246-258 A.D.) "Then they sold houses and farms, and gladly and liberally presented to the apostle the proceeds to be dispensed to the poor; selling and alienating their earthly estate, they transferred their lands thither where they might receive the fruits of an eternal possession, and there prepared homes where they might being an eternal habitation." Treatises of Cyprian Treatise 8 ch.25 p.483
M9. Christians of Vienna and Lugdunum (177A.D.) in a graphic way tells of the joy of the testimony of those who were being tortured. p.781
Did They Cover all the Bases?
After 2,000 years, we have a lot of wisdom on handling money that they did not teach. Specifically they did not mention:
Be careful about getting into debt, and putting up security for others.
Do not use differing measures in commerce. (Prov 11:1;20:10,23. etc,.)
Don't oppress (Ezek 22:7,13,29;, etc.) and defend the oppressed (Isa1:17).
Don't be idle or lazy. 1Th 5:14;2 Th 3:6-12; etc. Work is good & given by God. Gen 2:15.
We emphasize storing up for the future (Pr 6:6-8;10:5;31:16; Lk 15:18-30; Tt 3:14) They did not. But then again, if the knew many of them would be killed for the faith for not worshipping any other God.
More Things They Did Not Cover
What should they leave for inheritance to their family
Saving for retirement and inheritance
Developing the discipline of giving to the church
Early Christian Theology Roadmap
Pre-Nicea: Evidence of
What Early Christians Taught
Part 14 – Early Christians and the Church
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
Assembling Together
A1. Christians met together on Sunday (9) 1 Cor 16:2
A2. Sing hymns to God, Father, or Jesus (15) Rev 5:9-10
A3. Practice water baptism (27) Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; 1 Pet 3:21
A4. The Lord's supper (Eucharist) (17) 1 Cor 11:17-34
A5. No more animal or blood sacrifices (7) Heb 10:18-20
A6. Offer money/possessions to God (8) 2 Cor 8:3-9:7
A7. Learn from prior church writers/councils (14) Acts 15
A8. Cheer up/encourage other believers (5) 1 Th 5:14
A9. Correct other believers (7) 1 Cor 14:20; 1 Th 5:14
A10. Calling ourselves Christians (41) Acts11:26b; 26:27-29; 1 Pet 4:16
Examples of A1 and A2
A1. Letter of Ignatius to the Magnesians ch.9 p.62 (106-117 A.D.) "no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death"
A1. Justin Martyr (c.150 A.D.) "But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead." First Apology of Justin Martyr ch.67 p.188
A2. Clement of Alexandria (193-217/220 A.D.) composed a hymn which has: "Unto God their hymn of praise, Jesus Christ!" The Instructor book 3 ch.12 p.296
Assembling Together - Continued
A11. Mention of Easter/the Paschal Feast (11) -
A12. Calling the Lord's Supper the Eucharist (11) -
A13. Shun alleged believers persisting in sin (4) 1 Cor 5
… Disputed by [Orthodox and Roman Catholic] Christians today
d10. No worshipping true God through images (9) Dt 4:15-19; (Implied) Dt 27:15
Examples of A11, A13 and d10
A11. Hippolytus bishop of Portus (225-235/6 A D.) criticized Quartodecimians who think Easter should be celebrated at the same time the Jews celebrate Passover. The Refutation of All Heresies book 8 ch.11 p.123 Yet he later mediated a dispute between the Roman bishop and them where each part of the church celebrated Easter when it wanted.
A13. Tertullian (200-240 A.D.) says that we are not to communicate or eat with a person defiled by sins. Five Books Against Marcion book 4 ch.9 p.356
d10. Theophilus to Autolycus (168-181/188 A.D.) quotes Exodus 20:3 saying we should not make to God any graven image. book 3 ch.9 p.114
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Service should be in Latin or Greek
X Worship what was bread and wine
X Priest must consume all excess bread/wine
X Pay a priest when receiving Eucharist
X Mention of the word "Mass"
X Baptizing things besides people
X Confirmation of teens (did have catechumen class)
X Festival of Annunciation
X Mention of Lent
X Mention of Advent Festival
Church Leadership
C1. Obey authority of godly church leaders (7) Heb 13:17
C2. The church should have unity (20) Jn 17:3; Eph 4:3-5
C3. Excommunicate or separate from heretics (18) 2 Tim 3
C4. Local bishop, elders, or deacons (41) Php 1:1
C5. Church leaders should accept each other (7) 2 Jn 9-10
C6. Reject unchristian church leader authority (13) 2 Tim 3:1-5
C7. Remove leaders in gross sin/heresy (6) 1 Cor 5:9-13
C8. Concept of one universal church (31) Eph 4:3-5
C9. Churches should greet other churches (10) Rom 16:16
C10. Tradition of the apostles or the church (12) Eph 2:20
Example of C8
C8. Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) "She (the church) also believes these points [of doctrine] just as if she had but one soul.... For the churches which have been planted in Germany do not believe or hand down anything different nor do those in Spain nor those in Gaul, nor those in the East nor those in Egypt nor those in Libya, nor ..." Irenaeus Against Heresies book 1 ch.10.2 p.331
Example of C10
C10. Tertullian (200-240 A.D.) "But if there be any (heresies) … Let them produce the original records of their churches; let them unfold the roll of their bishops, running down in due succession from the beginning …To this test, therefore will they be submitted for proof by those churches, who, although they derive not their founder from apostles or apostolic men (as being of much later date, for they are in fact being founded daily), yet, since they agree in the same faith, they are accounted as not less apostolic because they are akin in doctrine…Then let all the heresies, when challenged to these two tests by our apostolic church, offer their proof of how they deem themselves to be apostolic. But in truth they neither are so, nor are they able to prove themselves to be what they are not. Nor are they admitted to peaceful relations and communion by such churches as are in any way connected with apostles, inasmuch as they are in no sense themselves apostolic because of their diversity as to the mysteries of the faith." Prescription against Heretics ch.32 p.258
More on the Church
… Most but not all Christians today would agree
m3. Mention of laity or clergy (13) partial 1 Tim 3:1-11; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-9
m4. The Church can be called the city of God (5) Heb 11:10; 12:22-3
m11. Religion is/can be good (19) Jms 1:27
Two Parts of the Pre-Nicene Church
The Pre-Nicene church can be neatly divided into two parts: before and after Decius' persecution in 250 A.D. and after.
The persecution was so severe that some Christians denied the faith and the sect founded by Novatian split solely due to their belief that the "lapsed" could never return to the church or be saved again.
While there was an earlier "denomination" the Montanists, and an almost split with the Quartodecimians, those groups did not deny that others were a part of God's church too. The Novatians castigate the rest of the church for "laxity" in pronouncing God's grace. The rest of the church denounced the unforgiving Novatians. There was harshness on both sides, and they did not
Did They Cover all the Bases?
How exactly did sub-deacons work?
No mention of choirs, musical instruments, or song leaders
Sunday school
How to teach children and others
What was their curriculum for catechumens
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Pope only infallible interpreter of Scripture
X Pope's ex Cathedra statements are infallible
X Pope is Pontifex Maximus of His Holiness
X Kiss the Pope's ring
X Bishop and elder are interchangeable
X Bishop is a lord or has a throne
X A church has a patriarch/metropolitan
X A worldwide general assembly, or similar
X. The church has a college of cardinals
Family and Marriage
F1. Honor marriage no extra-marital relations (30) Heb 12
F2. No divorce except for unfaithfulness (10) Mt 5:31-32
F3. We should be modest and pure (12) Rom 13:4; Eph 5:3-4
F4. Don't watch violent/lewd shows (12) (implied) Php 4:8-9
F5. No homosexuality (10) Rom 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Lev 20:13
F6. We should honor our parents (10) Mk 7:10-12; Ex 20:12
F7. Cherish and nurture our family (8) Eph 5:22-33; 6:1-4
F8. Having kids is fine within marriage (12) Eph 5:1-4
F9. Celibacy is better than marriage (7) 1 Cor 7:1-9,25-35
F10. Remarriage OK after death of spouse (4) Rom 7:1-3
F11. No incestual relations (9) Lev 20:17-19
F12. Don't love family more than Jesus (8) Lk 8:20-21
Examples of F3 and F4
F3. Tertullian (200-240 A.D.) has an entire chapter on woman's dress in On Prayer ch.20 p.687. He also has an entire work, On the Apparel of Women. In it he was against precious stones, pearls, and "little pebbles" book 1 ch.6 p.16-17
F4. The Octavius of Minucius Felix (210 A.D.) says Christians are to stay away from the gladiatorial games and "scenic games" which "feign lust". ch.37 p.196
F4. Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.) said that public shows have a more powerful corrupting influence on the mind and ought to be avoided by the wise. Epitome to the Divine Institutes ch.62 p.248
Religions Today that Disagree
"Liberal Christians", especially Episcopalians, believe that homosexuality is OK. Other liberal Christians, such as liberal United Methodists, do not as often believe this.
Some "Liberal Christians" also believe that premarital sex with some commitment can be OK.
Did They Cover all the Bases?
How to teach financial and other responsibility to children
How not to spoil your kids
Ways to keep the marriage bond strong
It is OK to allow a non-believing spouse to leave
How a wife should obey and honor her husband
How a husband show respect and care for his wife
How to do marital counseling
Balancing a purposeful activities vs. entertainment
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Holy Spirit leaves room during marital relations
X A lengthy marriage could be annullable
X Priest not to marry -but sex partner tolerated
X The church can tax priests who have kids
X Admirable to desert your wife to be a monk
King, Government, and Laws
K1. Honor the king or government (4) Rom 13:1-5; 1 Pet 2:17
K2. Obey government when not against God (7) Rom 13:1-5
K3. Do not aid in persecuting Christians (9) 1 Cor 13:7
K4. Pay taxes (8) Mk 12:14-17; Lk 20:22-25; Rom 13:6-7
K5. Pray for rulers and those in authority (6) 1 Tim 2:1-3
K6. Bless or pray for those who persecute you (17) Rom 12:14; 1 Pet 3:9
K7. Government officials ought to be just (9) Rom 13:3-4
K8. Disobey or change unjust laws (10) Acts 4:19; 5:29
K9. Providence, or God governing the world (31) Isa 46:10
K10. Christ is king or kingdom of Christ (28) Jn 1:49; Rev 11:15
Examples of K6 and K9
K6. Letter to Diognetus (c.130 A.D.) says Christians are reviled, but they bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honor. They are punished as evil-doers, but they do good. ch.5 p.27
K9. Aristides (125 or 138-161 A.D.) speaks of the providence of God and says that the mover and controller of the universe is God. Apology of Aristides (Greek version) ch.1 p.262
Did They Cover all the Bases?
The early church disagreed on if it was OK to serve as a soldier in the Roman army
What are the best laws for the appropriate punishment for stealing, murder, abortion, and other crimes
Totally Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Ruler non-violently coerce non-Christians
X Rulers violently persecute heretics/pagans
X Pope officially blessed invading army OK
X If Pope says massacre a town, then do it
X When Pope said slaughter Jews, then do it
X OK to disobey excommunicated king
X No taxes paid to excommunicated king
Also Absent from Pre-Nicene Writing
X Church leader party to killing another one
X Destroy Jewish synagogues
X Destroy heretical churches/pagan temples
X Crusades against non-Christians
X Crusades against other Christians
X Torture heretics or other non-believers
X An Inquisition would be godly
Pre-Nicea: Evidence of What Early
Christians Taught
Part 17 – How the
Early Church Did Evangelism
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
Kerygmatic and Irenic Evangelism
k1. Preach the gospel to others (31) Lk 7:22; 8:1; 2 Tim 4:2
k2. Bold proclamation of truth (8) Acts 4:8-13; Gal 2:14-15
k3. Quoting God's word to unbelievers (8) Jn 10:34
k4. Sharing personal testimonies (16) Acts 22:6-21
k5. Creative allegories or metaphors (31) Jms 3:4-8; 2 Tim 2:20-21
k6. Quoting poetry to share truth (12) Acts 17:28
k7. Promises of Heaven or God's love (25) Lk 10:20; 1 Cor 2:9
k8. Threats of Hell or God's wrath (16) Mt 3:10,12; Rev 19-21
k9. Mortal life is fleeting/short (7) Isa 40:6,7; Jms 1:10-11
k10. Martyr's blood is a testimony (13) Heb 10:36-39
k11. Use of Catena of 3 or more Bible verses (19) Heb 1; Rm3:10-
k12. Moses is older than Homer (5) –
Examples of k5 and k6
k5. Clement of Rome (97/98 A.D.) gives the analogy of the phoenix bird of Arabic in 1 Clement ch.25 p.12.
k5. Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.) says that when Christ stretched forth His hands on the cross, "He measured out the world, that even then He might show that a great multitude, … was about to come under His wings." The Divine Institutes book 4 ch.26 p.129.
k6. Theophilus of Antioch (168-181/188 A.D.) refers to the Sibyl and quotes some of her poetry to show even Greek thought contained the idea of a supreme God. He also quotes Greek poets, acknowledging that they contradict themselves in Theophilus to Autolycus book 2 ch.8 p.97.
k6. Homer was the poet most often quoted by early Christians.
Apologetics and Evangelism
a1. Answering the questions of others (7) Lk 12:14-17
a2. Using questions (36) Mk 12:35-37; Lk 6:33-34,38,41,42,46
a3. Showing misconceptions/contradictions (22) Gal 2:14
a4. Ps 110 can only refer to Christ (15) Mt 22:44; Acts 1:34-35
a5. Nature witnesses to God (11) Ps 19; Rom 1:18-20
a6. Appeal to science (12) –
a7. First Cause (cosmological argument) (5) (partial) Isa 43:10-
a8. Only one can be supreme argument (6) Isa 40:13,14,25
a9. Appeal to historians (13) Josh 10:13; 2 Sam 1:18
a10. Morality vs. evil in other religions (10) Lev 20:2-5
Examples of a7 and a8
A7. Athanasius (318 A.D.) (Implied) says that some such as Epicureans wrongly think "everything had its purpose in itself". Others such as Plato wrongly think that God is a "mechanic" who could only make things out of pre-existing matter. However, God created the matter too, for God made all things and He made out of nothing. Incarnation of the Word ch.2 p.36-37
A8. Theophilus (168-181/188 A.D.) refers to the Sibyl and quotes some of her poetry to show Greeks and Romans that even Greek thought contained the idea of a supreme God. Theophilus to Autolycus book 2 ch.36 p.108-109
Harsher Evangelistic Methods
h1. Debate and argument in witnessing (25) Acts 18:28
h2. Do no throw pearls before swine (8) Mt 7:6
h3. Calling other's beliefs delusion(s) (11) 2 Th 2:11
h4. Apologetic use of Plato's Timaeus (7) –
h5. Apologetic use of Jupiter's tomb (6) (Partial) Tt1:12
h6. Pointing out adulteries of Greek gods (10) –
h7. Humor in witnessing (5) Acts 26:29
h8. Harsh rebuke in witnessing (14) Mt 23:33; Gal 1:6-9
h9. Calling people names (16) Mt 23:25,33; Lk 3:7; Jn 8:55; Php 3:2
h10. Ridicule and sarcasm in witnessing (11) 1 Ki 18:27
Examples of h5 and h9
h5. Origen (225-254 A.D.) answers Celsus' charge that they [pagans] worship Jupiter who has a tomb in Crete while Christ has no tomb. Origen points out that Callimachus asked which one lied, when some say Jupiter was born in Crete, others Arcadia. Origen Against Celsus book 3 ch.43 p.481
h9. Victorinus bishop of Petau in Austria (martyred 304 A.D.) calls heretics of the school of Satan and says this is what we gladly know by Scripture. Commentary on the Apocalypse 2.18 p.347
Pre-Nicea: Evidence of What Early
Christians Taught
Part 18 – Refuting
Heretical Groups and Conclusion
Steve Morrison and Larry Wessels
Refute Heretical Groups
r1. Dispute with Ebionites/Judaizers (8) (partial) Col 2:16-17
r2. Simon Magus and his heresy/error (7) (partial) Acts 8
r3. From Marcion came many heresies (14) (partial) 1 Jn 4; 2 Jn 7
r4. Dispute against Valentinian Gnostics (17) –
r5. Dispute against Sethians or Ophites (6) –
r6. Dispute against Encratite Gnostics (8) (partial) 1 Tim 4:3
r7. Dispute against other Gnostics (14) (partial) 1 Jn 4:2
r8. No mixing Christ and other religions (18) 1 Jn 4:3; Gal 1:8-9
r9. Avoid docetic belief-not suffer in flesh (13) (partial) 1 Jn 4:2-
r10. Dispute against Sabellians (Oneness) (13) 1 Cor 11:3; 15:25-28; Mt 12:18; Eph 1:17; John 1:33; 14:16,26,28; 20:17; Rom 8:26-7
Examples of r2 and r5
r2. Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) discusses Cerdo and his successor Marcion. He also discusses Valentinus, Simon the Sorcerer, Simon's disciple Menander. Irenaeus Against Heresies book 3 ch.4 p.417
r4. Justin Martyr (138-165 A.D.) "with whom we have nothing in common, since we know them to be atheists, impious, unrighteous, and sinful, and confessors of Jesus in name only, instead of worshippers of Him. Yet they style themselves Christians, just as certain among the Gentiles inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hands, and partake in nefarious and impious rites.) Some are called Marcians [Marcion], and some Valentinians, and some Basilidians, and some Saturnilians, and others by other names" Dialogue with Trypho ch.35 p.212
Example of r6
r6. Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.) The Encratites [meaning self-controlled] came from Saturninus and Marcion. Encratites were against marriage, and some among them were against animal food [meat]. Tatian, a hearer of Justin [Martyr] was the one who introduced this blasphemy. Tatian was novel in denying the salvation of Adam. Irenaeus Against Heresies book 1 ch.28.1 p.353
r6. Tertullian (200-240 A.D.) mentions Tatian, a brother-heretic. He was a disciple of Justin Martyr, but after Justin's death he had different opinions, and like Valentinus. Against All Heresies ch.7 p.654
Dispute Against Other Errors
D1. Do not judge/condemn others (8) Mt 7:1-5; Lk 6:37
D2. Dispute against Judaism (18) Acts 3:23; Rom 9:1-2
D3. Dispute against Greco-Roman paganism (19) –
D4. Dispute philosophy that denies One God (16) –
D5. Dispute against the Magi / Zoroastrians (10) –
D6. Dispute Indians/Bra[c]hmans/Gymnosophist (6) –
D7. Dispute Egyptian myths (13) –
D8. Dispute Chaldean/Babylonian religion (10) –
D9. Dispute Syrian or Arabian religions (5) –
D10. Dispute Druid or other European myths (5) –
Examples of D6 and D7
D6. Bardaisan/Bardesan (154-224-232 A.D.) knew of the practice of suttee. He wrote, "The Hindoos when they die, are all of them burnt with fire, and many of their wives are burnt along with them alive." The Book of the Laws of Diverse Countries Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.8 p.732
D7. Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.) "and a thousand other fictions, so that they who regarded these as objects of worship may be said to be more foolish than the Egyptians, who worship certain monstrous and ridiculous images." The Divine Institutes book 1 ch.21 p.34
Early Christian Theology Roadmap
Stats on Doctrine
|
Category |
# Ref |
# Top-ics |
Ref/ Topic |
Ref/ Writer |
|
Bible –authority, OT, NT, gospels |
582 |
38 |
17.4 |
5.9 |
|
G. God -One God, almighty, Trinity |
355 |
33 |
10.4 |
4.0 |
|
J. Jesus -Deity, pre-existed, virgin-born |
814 |
60 |
13.9 |
9.2 |
|
H. Holy Spirit -Deity, baptized, sealed |
204 |
16 |
12.7 |
2.2 |
|
W. Work of God –Red Sea, Elijah, miracles |
179 |
19 |
9.7 |
2.0 |
|
P. People & salvation -sinful, Only way |
412 |
35 |
12.8 |
4.0 |
|
U. Ultimate things -resurrection, angels |
455 |
40 |
10.5 |
3.7 |
|
Total for Doctrine |
2992 |
232 |
14.0 |
28.6 |
Experience and Practice Stats
|
Category |
# Ref |
# Top-ics |
Ref/ Topic |
Ref/ Writer |
|
Specific individuals -Hezekiah, Thomas |
357 |
37 |
11.6 |
3.2 |
|
Experience -repentance, prayer, fasting |
324 |
23 |
14.1 |
3.5 |
|
Practicing Love -tongue, money, stealing |
481 |
42 |
11.6 |
4.8 |
|
Church -baptism, Lord's supper, bishops |
402 |
30 |
13.7 |
4.6 |
|
Family -marriage, divorce, kids, purity |
143 |
14 |
10.3 |
1.4 |
|
Kings and government -honor, taxes |
141 |
12 |
12.9 |
1.6 |
|
Evangelism (methods, messages, refute |
718 |
57 |
12.6 |
7.7 |
|
Total for Experience & Practice |
2554 |
210 |
12.5 |
26.5 |
Topics vs. Number of references for a topic
Number of references for a topic
Total number of topics: 1091. Total topics with 4 or more writers: 787
Total # references for all topics: 8735: Total 4 or more writers: 8293
A Challenge
Some people claim that their group's unusual beliefs were practiced by the early Christians. Our challenge them to them is: out of the 4100 to 4200 pages they have written that we have preserved show us.
Other groups claim that the Bible or key Christian doctrines were irretrievably lost during the Middle Ages. Again, our challenge to them is: show us.
If you claim that Christianity was changed and lost key doctrines, then show us, from history and writings, where this occurred.
If you claim that the early church did not preserve the teachings of Jesus, then either God did not care to preserve His truth, or another group did.
Show us that other group. We have both writings about many other groups, and many writings by the groups themselves. Again: show us a group that believed close to what you believed.
If you have no evidence, and if your group denies key doctrines that the consensus of early Christians confirmed, then stop claiming that your beliefs were those of early Christians.
We have spent all this time looking at what the early church believed, experienced, and practiced, but now it is time to turn the lens around, and ask, how would an early follower of Christ look at different churches today? What would they notice that was strange, or unbiblical?
In some churches, they would ask why there are so many images of people used in worship? Now they were not image-phobic; they drew crosses, figures of fish, etc. but they were not only against worshipping idols, they were also against using images to worship the true God.
In some churches they would not fathom why Christians toy with doctrines of demons. 30,000 to 40,000 Christians were martyred before 324 A.D., for not agreeing to sacrifice to Caesar as well as worship Jesus. Yet many calling themselves Christians today have betrayed that by saying idols and other religions are good ways to God too.
Early Christians might be understanding of some churches today that deny Jesus died for our sins, or physically rose from the death. They saw many soul-perishing heresies in their time, and they would just consider those churches more of those wicked heresies.
The early Christians were not only against murder, but they also considered killing babies in the womb murder too. They have abortion back then, either from taking drugs, such as silphium, or blows to the mother's stomach to induce abortion. Some early Christians would only let a mother who did this be restored to communion after many years. Others were less lenient, and though Christians who committed these serious sins could never come back.
Early Christians suffered severely at the hands of pagans because of their religion. The pre-Nicene Christians did not persecute non-Christians, either violently or non-violently, until the Emperor Constantine non-violently closed synagogues and pagan temples. They would be aghast at all the violence that was done, purporting to be in the name of Christ by the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.
Early Christians consistently taught they should not go to violent gladiator shows, or shows that incited lust. They would wonder why some Christians today would be different, and actively want to watch shows like that.
They were against stealing, and they might question Christians who pirate music, software, or other things.
Finally, we can look at the early church in such detail because of the almost 4,200 pages of their writing they left to us. What if you life and what you believed, experienced, and practiced, were all written in a book? Maybe the world would not read or publish your book, but there might be a book about you in heaven. If that were true, how would you live differently, knowing that book would be preserved even longer than the early church writings we have today?
by Steven M. Morrison, PhD.