First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

24

First Christian Voices

good work” (Titus 3:1). Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, you did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and rules of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts. I gnatius to the M agnesians 13: Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, so that in all things, whatsoever you do, you may flourish both in the flesh and spirit, in faith and love, in the Son and in the Father and in the Spirit, in the beginning and in the end. Do this together with your most admirable bishop, and the admirably crafted spiritual crown of your elders, and the godly deacons. Be subject to the bishop and to one another just as Jesus Christ was to the Father according to the flesh, and the apostles to Christ. Be subject also to the Father and to the Spirit so that there may be harmony between the flesh and spirit. P olycarp to the P hilippians 3: These things, friends, I write to you concerning righteousness. I do not write because I take anything upon myself, but because you have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such as me, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. When he was among you, he accurately and unwaveringly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. When he was absent from you, he wrote you letters. If you carefully study them, you will find them to be the source for building you up in the faith that has been given you. Faith which is followed by hope and preceded by love toward God and Christ and our neighbor is the mother of us all. For if anyone be inwardly controlled by these graces, he has fulfilled the command of righteousness since love is far from all sin.