First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Stoic philosopher Seneca (ca. AD 64) gets to the idea of imitation when he writes about the disciples of Socrates, “Plato, Aristotle, and the whole throng of sages who were destined to go each his different way, derived more benefit from the character than from the words of Socrates” (Epistle 6.5). Seeing the way in which someone lives their life can be truly transformative, and this was also evident in the early church. In this chapter, we will explore imitation as a form of discipleship. The Apostolic Fathers clearly expected that Christians would live a certain way. More than simply demanding obedience to the commands of Christ, the Apostolic Fathers expected Christians to actually live like Christ, to genuinely follow Him and own His teachings for themselves. The Apostolic Fathers encouraged the church to imitate faithful believers—from Old Testament saints who first proclaimed His coming, to those who later suffered martyrdom because they followed Christ— inasmuch as they provided a real and visible demonstration of Christian character. Imitate Jesus Christ F irst C lement 16: For Christ is with those who are humble-minded, and not with those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Rod of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding Him. For He says, I mitation as D iscipleship