First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deut 10:16). And again, “Behold, says the Lord, all the Gentiles are uncircumcised in the flesh, but this people are uncircumcised in heart” ( Jer 9:25–26 ). Magic I gnatius to the E phesians 19 b : Consequently, every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared. Ignorance was removed and the old kingdom abolished as God Himself was revealed in human form for the restoration of eternal life. And now, that which has been prepared by God takes effect. Namely, from that time on, all things were in a state of turmoil because the destruction of death was being carried out. I gnatius to P olycarp 5 a : Flee evil arts. Instead, speak against them in public all the more. The Last Days B arnabas 2 a : Since, therefore, the days are evil and Satan possesses the power of this world we ought to pay attention to ourselves and diligently inquire into the requirements of the Lord. Fear and patience, then, are helpers of our faith as well as long-suffering and self-control which fight on our side. While these remain pure in the Lord, wisdom, science, knowledge, and experience rejoice along with them. B arnabas 4 b – c : Now, being desirous to write many things to you, not as your teacher, but as is fitting for one who loves you, I have taken care not to fail to write to you from what I myself possess as your humble servant. We pay close attention in these last days because you will gain nothing from the whole time of your faith unless now in this wicked time we also withstand the coming sources