First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 1: The Study of Scripture

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T o D iognetus 2 a : Come, then, after you have freed yourself from all the biases possessing your mind, and laid aside what has been typically quick to deceive you. Instead, become a new person as from the beginning like you are about to hear a new doctrine according to your own acknowledgment. Come and consider, not with your eyes only but also with your understanding, the substance and the form of those who you declare and believe to be gods. Three Doctrines of the Lord B arnabas 1: The doctrines of the Lord, then, are three: the hope of life, the beginning, and the completion of it. For the Lord has made known to us by the prophets both the things which are past and present, giving us also the first fruits of the knowledge of things to come, which things as we see accomplished, one by one, we should with the greater richness of faith and elevation of spirit draw near to Him with reverence. I then, not as your teacher, but as one of you, will lay out a few things by which in your present circumstances you may be all the more joyful. Knowledge to Walk in the Way of Light B arnabas 19: The way of light, then, is as follows. If anyone desires to travel to the appointed place, he must be zealous in his works. The knowledge, therefore, which is given to us for the purpose of walking in this way is the following. You will love Him who created you. You will glorify Him who redeemed you from death. You will be simple in heart and rich in spirit.