First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 7: Character and Imitation

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with my father’s house” (Josh 2:9, 12). And they said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land . . . you shall gather into your house all your family, and they will be preserved. But anyone found outside of your dwelling will perish” ( Josh 2:17–19 ). Moreover, they gave her a sign to this effect, that she should hang out from her house a scarlet thread ( Josh 2:18, 21 ). And thus they revealed that redemption should flow through the blood of the Lord to all those who believe and hope in God. You see, dear ones, that there was not only faith, but also prophecy in this woman. I gnatius to the E phesians 14: None of this is hidden from you if you completely possess the faith and love toward Christ Jesus which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith and the end is love. Now these two being inseparably connected together are from God. All other things which are necessary for a holy life follow after these two. No one making a profession of faith sins, nor does he that possesses love hate anyone. The tree is made manifest by its fruit. So, those who profess themselves to be Christians will be recognized by their behavior. For there is not merely a call for profession. Rather, may a person be found continuing in the power of faith to the end.

I mitate L eaders

Old Testament Leaders F irst C lement 17–19: Let us be imitators also of those who in goat skins and sheep skins went about proclaiming the coming of Christ. I speak of Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel among the prophets, along with those who share a similar