First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 7: Character and Imitation

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be found in Christ Jesus in the true life. Do not let anything attract you except Him. In Him I bear these chains, these spiritual jewels. In them I hope to rise again through your prayers. May I always be a recipient of them, in order that I may be like the Christians of Ephesus who have always been of the same mind with the apostles through the power of Jesus Christ. I know both who I am and to whom I write. I am a condemned man and you have been the objects of mercy. I am subject to danger and you are established in safety. You are the road by which those who are being killed for the sake of God travel. You are initiates with Paul, the holy, the martyred, the deservedly most happy, at whose feet may I be found when I will reach God. Who in all his letters makes mention of you in Christ Jesus. I gnatius to the M agnesians 8: Do not be deceived by strange doctrines, nor by old fables which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. For the divine prophets lived according to Christ Jesus. On this account also they were persecuted, being inspired by His grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there is one God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ His Son, who is His eternal Word, who did not come from silence, and who in all things pleased Him that sent Him. I gnatius to the M agnesians 10–11: Let us not, therefore, be unaware of His kindness. For if He were to reward us according to our works, we would cease to be. Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this is not of God. Lay aside,