First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 2: The Godhead

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Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as those with a pure conscience who worship His excellent name. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen. But those who endured with confidence are now heirs of glory and honor, and have been exalted and made renowned by God in their memorial forever and ever. Amen. The Holy Spirit Searches F irst C lement 21 a : Beware, dear ones, in case His many kindnesses lead to a judgment on us all. This will happen if we do not walk worthy of Him. So, with one mind do those things which are good and well-pleasing in His sight. For it says in a certain place, “The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret parts of the belly” ( Prov 20:27 ). Let us consider how near He is to us, and that none of our thoughts or reasonings are hidden from Him. It is right, therefore, that we should not leave the position which His will has assigned us. Let us instead offend those men who are foolish and inconsiderate and boastful and who are arrogant in their speech rather than God. Let us be in awe of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us. The Holy Spirit Makes Us New B arnabas 6 b – c : Learn then what Knowledge says: “Hope in Him who will be revealed to you in the flesh— that is, Jesus.” For the human is earth in a suffering state just as the formation of Adam was from the face of the earth. What, then, does “Into the good land, the land flowing with milk and honey” mean ( Deut 31:20 )? Blessed be our Lord, who has placed in us wisdom and understanding of secret things. For the Prophet says, “Who