First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 8: Warnings Against Division and the Demonic

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It is well, therefore, that he who has learned the judgments of the Lord, as many as have been written, should walk in them. For he who keeps them will be glorified in the kingdom of God. But he who chooses other things will be destroyed with his works. On this account there will be a resurrection, on this account a retribution. Prince of This World I gnatius to the E phesians 17: For this reason did the Lord accept the ointment poured upon His head, that He might breathe immortality into His church. Do not be anointed with the bad fragrance of the doctrine of the Prince of this world. Do not let him lead you away captive from the life which is set before you. And why are we not all cautious, since we have received the knowledge of God which is Jesus Christ? Why do we foolishly perish by not recognizing the true gift which the Lord has sent to us? I gnatius to the M agnesians 1: Having been informed of your well-ordered godly love, I rejoiced greatly and determined to fellowship with you in the faith of Jesus Christ. For as one who has been thought worthy of the most honorable of all names, in these chains which I bear about, I commend the churches as I pray for the harmony of both the flesh and the spirit of Jesus Christ. He is the constant source of our life, and of faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred, but especially of Jesus and the Father. In Him, if we endure all the attacks of the Prince of this world and escape them, then we will enjoy God. I gnatius to the T rallians 4: I have many thoughts about God, but I restrain myself unless I should die from boasting. For now, I must be more fearful and not give attention