Facts Found~The Early Church and Standards~

Pastor Keith · #1 12-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Have you ever been curious how the First Church regarded standards, holiness and living in a pagan culture?

Well this is a testimony by a Disciple of Polycarp named Mathetes, who most likely wrote this between 100-140AD.

I think to be an eye opener and will likely change your perspective on how the early church related to and lived in a pagan world. I highlighted some parts that I thought would be of interest to our diverse forum.

It was titled "The Manner of Christians"

For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking [281] method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. [282] They have a common table, but not a common bed. [283] They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. [284] They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. [285] They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. [286] They are poor, yet make many rich; [287] they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; [288] they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.

Cindy · #2 12-05-2008, 08:03 PM

You didn't highlight enough.

Cindy · #3 12-05-2008, 08:05 PM

They beget children, but they do not destroy their offspring.

Sister Alvear · #4 12-05-2008, 08:05 PM

Thank you Keith...I am weeping...I have always made the statement that most of us are far from the first church...
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Sister Alvear · #5 12-05-2008, 08:07 PM

Real Christianity is a different story...

Pastor Keith · #6 12-05-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Real Christianity is a different story...

And what we often we emphasize is far different that what we should.

Justin · #7 12-05-2008, 08:28 PM

Great post. Very informative!

Great way to put a barrier between "liberal" and "conservative" Apostolics.

Pastor Keith · #8 12-05-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

Great post. Very informative!

Great way to put a barrier between "liberal" and "conservative" Apostolics.

I didn't create the barrier. Our own beliefs do.

Cindy · #9 12-05-2008, 08:33 PM

I would think that would remove barriers, instead of building them.

Pastor Keith · #10 12-05-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx

I would think that would remove barriers, instead of building them.

People read what they want into the text, history and how to view life based on our world views and beliefs.

I found this and posted on based on that same thing a biased belief.

A belief that often what this current crop of OP's have made as a primary issue really shouldn't be.