First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers
34
First Christian Voices
think it good to write the names of such persons inasmuch as they are unbelievers. Yes, far be it from me to make any mention of them until they repent and return to Christ’s suffering, which is our resurrection. Let no one be deceived. Both the things which are in heaven, as well as the glorious angels and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ will consequently experience condemnation. “Let the one who is able to receive this receive it” (Matt 19:12). Let no one puff anyone up. For that which is worth all is faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred. But consider those who are of a heretical opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come to us; how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love, no care for the widow or the orphan or the oppressed, neither for the imprisoned or for the free, nor for the hungry, or for the thirsty. False Teaching about Jesus I gnatius to the T rallians 10–11: But if some atheists who are unbelieving say that He only seemed to suffer (they themselves only seeming to exist), then why am I in chains? Why do I long to fight the wild beasts? Do I therefore die in vain? Am I not then guilty of falsehood against the Lord? Flee, therefore, those evil offshoots which produce deadly fruit. If anyone tastes he instantly dies. For these people are not the Father’s planting. For if they were they would appear as branches of the cross and their fruit would be imperishable. By the cross He calls you through His
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software