What did the early Christian Church teach & practice? Early pre-Nicene (before 325 A.D.) writers included: Ignatius, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Melito, Iranaeus, Origen of Alexandria, Tatian, Athenagoras, Polycrates, Montanus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Cyprian, Novatian, Lactantius, Arnobius, Eusebius, Dionysius of Rome, Dionysius of Alexandria, "To Diognetus," Papias, Theophilus of Antioch, Methodius, Adamantius, Gregory Thaumaturgus & others. Let's ask the following question, "What could you prove about early Christianity if you had no Bible, but only the pre-Nicene church writers?"
Experiencing God
At times even faithful believers feel far from God. Ps 43:2; 44:23-24;89:46; 102:1-11
God strengthens us. Eph 3:16; 2 Th 2:17; Col 1:11; Acts 9:31; Isa 41:10; 58:11; Neh 6:9;Ps89 :21;119: 28;1Pt5:10;2Tm4:17; Php 4:13
Refresh/encourage each other. Phm 7,20; Rom15:32; 1 Cor 16:18; 2 Cor 7:13; 2 Tim 1:16
We must keep ourselves in His love. Jude 21; 2 Pet 3:17; 1 Jn 2:24,27; 1 Tim 1:14; ~Rev 2:4-5
Obedient get needed guidance. Isa 30:21; 58:10-11; Jn 14:16-8,25-6; Lk 12:11-2;Je33:3; Ps 73:24
God is emotional, He feels for us deeply. Rom 8:27; Mt 23:37; Isa 61:5; 62:4; 63:9
We praise God for His greatness, kindness, and character we still see in fallen creation. Rom 1:19-20; Acts 14:17; Ps 8;19; 104; 119:64; Job 38-41
We love God's word. Ps 119:97; Jer 6:10, we take pleasure in it. Jer 6:10, that we not sin against God. Ps 119:11. It is a light and a lamp to us. Ps 119:105; Prov 66:23
... Repentance and Forgiveness
Salvation involves life-changing repentance. Lk 5:32; 3:8;Acts 2:38; 11:18; 20:21; 2Tm2:25;1 Pet 3:21 |