Sacred Roots Workshop

Ses s i on 2: Go i ng Back to the Future

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“We [Gentiles] who used to hate and destroy one another, and would not live with men of a different tribe because of their different manners, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies” (Justin Martyr, c. 160 [cf. David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 409]).

2. To share the Good news, planting churches and advancing the Kingdom through apostolic churches

“The apostles, then, in like manner founded churches in every city, from which all the other churches – one after another – borrowed the tradition of the faith and the seeds of doctrine. And they are every day borrowing them, that they may become churches. Indeed, it is only on this account that they will be able to deem themselves apostolic – as being the offspring of apostolic churches. Every sort of thing must necessarily revert to its original mold for its classification. Therefore, the churches, although they are so many and so great, comprise but the one primitive church of the apostles – from which they all [spring]. In this way, all are primitive. And all are apostolic. And they are all proved to be one in unity by their peaceful communion, title of brotherhood, and bond of hospitality – privileges that no other rule directs than the one tradition of the selfsame mystery” (Tertullian, c. 197 [cf. David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 148]).

3. Focus in on global evangelization, making disciples of all nations: “from everywhere, to everywhere”

“The word of our Teacher did not remain in Judea alone–as philosophy did in Greece. Rather, it was diffused over the whole world, over every nation, village, and town” (Clement of Alexandria, c. 195 [cf. David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 260]).