First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 8: Warnings Against Division and the Demonic

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of danger as is fitting for the children of God. May the Dark One find no means of entrance. Let us flee from every vanity. Let us utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness. Do not withdraw to live a solitary life as if you were already justified. Rather, come together in one place to make common inquiry concerning what tends to your general well-being. For the Scripture says, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (Isa 5:21). Let us be spiritually minded. Let us be a perfect temple to God. As much as is in our control, let us meditate upon the fear of God and let us keep His commandments so that we may rejoice in His decrees. The Lord will judge the world without respect to persons. Each will receive as he has done. If he is righteous, his righteousness will precede him. If he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him. Pay attention unless while resting at our ease—as if those who are the called should ever fall asleep in our sins—that the wicked Prince might acquire power over us and thrust us out from the kingdom of the Lord. Moreover, attend to this, my friends, as you reflect and see that after extraordinary signs and wonders were performed in Israel, they were abandoned. Let us beware in case we be found as it is written, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14).