First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 8: Warnings Against Division and the Demonic

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have not written to you according to the flesh, but according to the will of God. If I will suffer, you have desired it for me. However, if I am rejected, you have hated me. I gnatius to the P hiladelphians 6 a : But if any one teaches the Jewish law to you, do not listen to him. For it is better to listen to Christian doctrine from a person who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment just as monuments and sepulchers of the dead upon which are written only the names of men. Flee therefore the wicked devices and snares of the Prince of this world in case you are conquered by his tricks and grow weak in love. Instead, join together with an undivided heart. Persecution from the Devil I gnatius to the R omans 5: From Syria all the way to Rome I fight with beasts, both by land and sea, both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards—I mean a company of soldiers—who, even when treated well, show themselves all the worse. But I am all the more a disciple because of their mistreatment, “but I am not thereby acquitted” (1 Cor 4:4). May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me. And I pray that they may be found eager to rush upon me. I will entice them to devour me quickly and not deal with me as with some who out of fear they did not touch. But if they be unwilling to attack me, I will compel them to do so. Bear with me, I know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to become a disciple. And do not let things that are visible or invisible envy me so that I might reach Jesus Christ.