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?"
I1. Do not worship other gods Dt 27:15; Ps 97:7 L1. Love all /neighbor as yourself Lv19:18;Mk12:31;Lk10:27 I2. Stars have no influence on people Isa 47:13 L2. Forgive & love others/enemies; turn other cheek. Mt I3. Have patience or self-control Jms 5:8; Tt 1:8; 2:5 L3. Do not get revenge Rom 12:19; 1 Pet 3:19; Lev 19:18 I4. Don't let the sun go down on your anger.Eph4:26 L4. Do not be a gossip or chatterer 1 Tim 5:13 I5. Have pure speech Pr4:24;15:2; Eph 4:29; Jms 3:2-12 L5. Do to others as you would them do to you Lk 6:31 I6. Forsake lies Eph 4:25; Prov 12:19-20 L6. Do not murder Mt 5:21; Mk 10:19; Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17 I7. Do not get drunk Eph 5:18; Tt 1:7; 2:3 L7. Abortion is evil/murder Ex 21:22-23 I8. Eating meat is fine Jn 21:10-13; Acts 10:12-13 L8. Care for the sick Mt 25:36,39,43,44 I9. Do not be a slave of your belly Php 3:19; Pr 28:7 L9. Practice hospitality Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 5:10;Tt1:8;1Pet 4:9 I10. Vanity / avoid vain things Eph 4:17; 2 Pet 2:18 L10. Love covers a multitude of sins 1 Pet 4:8 |