First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

The Lord, brothers and sisters, stands in need of nothing. And He desires nothing of anyone, except that confession be made to Him. For, says the elect David, “I will confess to the Lord, and this will please Him more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad” ( Ps 69:31–32 ). And again he says, “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Ps 50:14–15). For “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Ps 51:17). Unity over Division F irst C lement 54–55: Who then among you is noble minded? Who is compassionate? Who is full of love? Let him declare, “If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart. I will go away to wherever you desire and I will do whatever the majority command. Only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the elders set over it.” He that acts in this way will attain to himself great glory in the Lord and every place will welcome him. For “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Ps 24:1). In this way, those leading God’s administration both did and always will do without regret. Here are some examples from among the Gentiles. Many kings and princes, in times of epidemics, when they had been instructed by an oracle, have given themselves up to death in order that by their own blood they might deliver their fellow citizens. Many have left from their own cities so that sedition might be ended within them. We know many among ourselves who have given themselves up to prison, in order that they might ransom others. Many,