what the Spirit says
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what the Spirit says to the churches. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .
.when he brought his wife, whom he jealously loved, into the midst of the apostles, he was evidently renouncing his passion; and when he used the expression, ‘to abuse the flesh,’ he was inculcating self-control in the face of those pleasures that are eagerly pursued. For I suppose that, in accordance with the command of the Saviour, he did not wish to serve two masters, pleasure and the Lord. refer to
when he brought his wife, whom he jealously loved, into the midst of the apostles, he was evidently renouncing his passion; and when he used the expression, ‘to abuse the flesh,’ he was inculcating self-control in the face of those pleasures that are eagerly pursued. For I suppose that, in accordance with the command of the Saviour, he did not wish to serve two masters, pleasure and the Lord.6
But they say that Matthias also taught in the same manner that we ought to fight against and abuse the flesh, and not give way to it for the sake of pleasure, but strengthen the soul by faith and knowledge.”7 So much concerning those who then attempted to pervert the truth, but in less time than it has taken to tell it became entirely extinct.
6 Compare
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
This teaching was found in the Gospel of Matthias, or the παραδόσεις Ματθίου, mentioned in chap. 25 (see note 30 on that chapter).
Eusebius of Caesaria, “The Church History of Eusebius,” in Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine (ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace; trans. Arthur Cushman McGiffert; vol. 1; A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series; New York: Christian Literature Company, 1890), 1161.
3. The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles.1 They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.”2
1 [This is disputed by other primitive authorities.]
2 .
Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe; vol. 1; The Ante-Nicene Fathers; Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 1352.
3. The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles.1 They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.”2
1 [This is disputed by other primitive authorities.]
2 .
Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe; vol. 1; The Ante-Nicene Fathers; Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 1352.
1 [This is disputed by other primitive authorities.]
2 .
Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe; vol. 1; The Ante-Nicene Fathers; Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 1352.
3. The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles.1 They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.”2
1 [This is disputed by other primitive authorities.]
2 .
Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe; vol. 1; The Ante-Nicene Fathers; Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 1352.
The second reference suggests that the Nicolaitans’ teachings were virtually identical to those of the groups identified with Balaam and Jezebel (Aune, Revelation, 148; Beale, Revelation, 261; Boxhall, Revelation, 59–65). These teachings are the main focus of a negative judgment motif in (Ramsay, Letters, 201). Eating food sacrificed to idols and practicing sexual immorality were clear violations of the injunction given by the Jerusalem council (). The allusions to Balaam and Jezebel—Old Testament figures associated with the worship of pagan gods (; )—indicate the text’s primary concern with idolatry (Beale, Revelation, 249). In the context of table fellowship, idolatry would have meant participation in local and/or imperial religions.
Andrew Coutras, “Nicolaitans,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
.
Nicolaitans
A group mentioned specifically only in , , although some believe that others condemned in the New Testament (as in ) are of the same party.
Paul S. Karleen, The Handbook to Bible Study: With a Guide to the Scofield Study System (New York: Oxford University Press, 1987), 347.
The time of the Fathers is classically divided into three periods: the foundational years (until the Council of Nicaea [325]); the formational period (until the Council of Chalcedon [451]); and the decline of the patristic era (in the Latin Church, until the death of Gregory the Great [604] or perhaps Isidore of Seville [636]; in the Greek Church, until the death of John of Damascus [749]). Viewed as founders of the mainline ecclesiastical tradition, the category of Fathers includes apostles, bishops, martyrs, apologists, heresiologists, theologians, and historians.
…
Despite the extent of their theological contributions, however, certain teachers remain the focus of controversy either because of their break with the Catholic Church or because of their unique doctrinal positions: Tatian, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Theodore of Mopsuestia.
Clayton N. Jefford, “Church Fathers,” ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 255.
Clayton N. Jefford, “Church Fathers,” ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 254, 255
Church Fathers. †Bishops and ecclesiastical authorities of the early Christian centuries, renowned for their orthodox doctrine and holy example and whose writings became authoritative in the formative debates of Christian doctrine. Beginning with the Apostolic Fathers, the Ante-Nicene Fathers include second- and third-century A.D. apologists such as Justin Martyr;, Athenagoras, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria;, as well as the allegorist, mystic, and biblical critic Origen. Among the Post-Nicene Fathers are the dogmatists, expositors, historians, and preachers of the fourth and fifth centuries, including the Greeks Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianus, and John Chrysostom; and Latin writers such as Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine;.
† Major revision
Allen C. Myers, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987), 217.
church fathers
Perhaps the earliest of these is a letter by Clement, who was one of the first bishops of Rome, to the church in Corinth toward the end of the first century ad. Like Paul, Clement ministered to the Corinthians in light of their ongoing discord (Richardson, Early, 16, 33–73; Kelly, Early, 90–91).
Other prominent figures among the Apostolic Fathers include two bishops: Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna. From Ignatius we have seven letters (six to churches and one to Polycarp),...
Charles Meeks, “Early Christian Literature,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
Apostolical, viz., such as were personally known to the apostles, or anyhow flourished in the same age, form a subdivision of group I., with St. Clement of Rome, St. Ignatius of Antioch, and St. Polycarp of Smyrna, for its representatives.
Edmund Salusbury Ffoulkes, “Fathers, The,” ed. William Smith and Henry Wace, A Dictionary of Christian Biography, Literature, Sects and Doctrines (London: John Murray, 1877–1887), 456.
Apostolic Fathers Collection
The earliest church fathers lived shortly after the time of the apostles. Their writings are collectively called the Apostolic Fathers. Dating from approximately 80 ad to 220 ...works include:
• 1 Clement
• 2 Clement
• the Ignatian Epistles (7) Ignatius of Antioch
• Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Polycarp of Smyrna
• the Martyrdom of Polycarp
• the Letter of Barnabas
• the Didache
• the Letter of Diognetus
• the Shepherd of Hermas
Some editions also include fragments of Papias and fragments from Quadratus. ...
Major Periods of the Early Church
...The period the Apostolic Fathers represent (ca. ad 80–220) is known as the subapostolic period.
The writings of church fathers are traditionally grouped into:
• the Ante-Nicene Fathers: the writings from the beginning of the subapostolic period (ad 80) to the First Council of Nicea in ad 325
• the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: the writings from around the time of the First Council of Nicea (ad 325) to the Second Council of Nicea (ad 787).
The writings of the “Ante-Nicene Fathers” and “Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers” are additionally grouped into the writings of the Greek Church Fathers and Latin Church Fathers.
Subsequently the fathers were distinguished according to the age in which they lived by the epithets apostolic, ante-Nicene, post-Nicene, &c.; or, with reference to their writings, apologists, doctors, commentators, &c.; or, with reference to their country, Greek, Latin, African, Gallican, Anglican, &c.
Subsequently the fathers were distinguished according to the age in which they lived by the epithets apostolic, ante-Nicene, post-Nicene, &c.; or, with reference to their writings, apologists, doctors, commentators, &c.; or, with reference to their country, Greek, Latin, African, Gallican, Anglican, &c.
Edmund Salusbury Ffoulkes, “Fathers, The,” ed. William Smith and Henry Wace, A Dictionary of Christian Biography, Literature, Sects and Doctrines (London: John Murray, 1877–1887), 456.
Greek Church Fathers written in Greek, some of the most influential include:
Of those church fathers whose works were written in Greek, some of the most influential include:
Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr (ca. ad 110–165) was a student of philosophy who became a Christian sometime in the early ad 130s. Unlike the Apostolic Fathers, who addressed Christians in their writings, Justin primarily wrote as an apologist to non-Christians. His important works include his Dialogue with Trypho, First Apology (addressed to Emperor Antoninus Pius), and Second Apology (addressed to Emperor Marcus Aurelius). He was arrested and beheaded in Rome.
Irenaeus of Lyons
Irenaeus was the second-century bishop of Lyons in Gaul. He was one of the foremost early Christian theologians, and his most famous work is Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies). He defended the orthodoxy of Christian doctrine, especially against such threats as Gnosticism. For more information about Irenaeus of Lyons, see this article: Irenaeus.
Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria (late second—early third centuries ad) composed some of the earliest purely exegetical treatises, as well as the tremendous Stromateis, in which he discussed the significance of Christianity among other philosophies.
Origen of Alexandria
Origen was a prolific and influential figure of the early church who was known for his approach to interpreting Scripture. He also compiled the Hexapla, an important work for Old Testament textual criticism. ...
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius (ca. ad 260–339) became bishop of Caesarea in 315. He came under condemnation for supporting Arius during the Arian controversy, but was reinstated at the Council of Nicaea in 325. He is best known for his Ecclesiastical History, which is an important (and at times the only) source for events in the first centuries of Christianity. Another of his works, the Onomasticon, is a valuable source for ancient topography. ...
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria (ca. ad 293–2 May 373) was a theologian, the bishop of Alexandria, and an influential leader in Egypt during the fourth century. He is most notable for resisting Arianism and for proclaiming the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as for being the first to use the word “canon” to refer to the New Testament (as we currently know it) in his festal letter of ad 367.
Epiphanius of Salamis
Epiphanius (ca. ad 315–403) was born in Palestine. Early on he spent time among monks in Egypt, eventually returning to Palestine and founding a monastery near Eleutheropolis while still a young man. In 367 he was elected bishop of the city of Constantia (Salamis) on Cyprus. He is best known for his work Refutation of All Heresies (also known as the Panarion, Greek for “medicine chest”).
John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom (ca. ad 347–ca. 407) was the archbishop of Constantinople. Being the most prolific of all the Eastern fathers, he fought against the ecclesiastical and political leaders for their abuse of authority. He was called Chrysostom (meaning “golden-mouthed”) for his eloquent sermons.
Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria (ca. ad 378–444) was the bishop of Alexandria. He was a leading proponent of the orthodox view during the christological controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries, and was an important participant in the First Council of Ephesus (ad 431).
Latin Fathers written in Latin, some of the most influential include:
Of those fathers whose works were written in Latin, some of the most influential include:
Tertullian
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (ca. ad 160–225) was a prolific North African writer of apologetic, theological, controversial, and ascetic works. The first great writer of Latin Christianity, he is credited with introducing the term “trinitas” in relation to God. At some point during his career, he joined the apocalyptic Montanist sect (around ad 207), which other early church fathers opposed as heretical, causing his works to be viewed as pre-Montanist (and thus legitimately the work of a church father) and post Montanism (and thus viewed very skeptically).
Cyprian of Carthage
In the mid-third century ad, Cyprian of Carthage wrote On the Unity of the Catholic Church, a small but significant appeal to the importance of theological unity within the Church.
Ambrose of Milan
Ambrose was the archbishop of Milan and one of the most influential theologians during the fourth century. He is noted for being a supporter of orthodoxy against the Arians and an influence on Augustine of Hippo.
Pope Damasus I
Pope Damasus I (305–384) was an avid defender of the Catholic Church against the threat of schisms.
Jerome
Jerome (ca. ad 347–419/420) was a biblical scholar and translator of the Vulgate. ...
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine (November 13, 354–August 28, 430) was the bishop of Hippo in North Africa, as well as a theologian and philosopher (who was influenced by Neoplatonism). He was one of the most significant developers of Western Christianity. Some of the doctrines he is famous for shaping include those of original sin and just war. After Rome was conquered, Augustine developed the concept of a spiritual City of God opposed to the City of Man in order to bolster the faith of Christians. His work is also seen as a transition point between the ancient view of the world and the medieval one.
Micah Wierenga, “Church Fathers,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
catholic view:
Origen,
whose works, as we have them, contain grave errors frequently condemned by the highest authority in the Church, is one of these. Nevertheless, his writings are of the highest value for their orthodox contents.
Eusebius of Cæsarea is another.
Tertullian
became an open apostate from the Catholic Church; yet his writings as a Catholic are among the most excellent and precious remains of antiquity. There are some others included among the Fathers in this greater latitude of designation who have not the mark of eminent sanctity.
In its stricter sense the appellation denotes only those ancient writers whose orthodoxy is unimpeachable, whose works are of signal excellence or value, and whose sanctity is eminent and generally recognised. The following list includes the names of the most illustrious Fathers, according to the most exclusive sense of this honourable title:—
First Century—St. Clement of Rome. Second Century—St. Ignatius, St. Justin, St. Irenæus. Third Century—St. Cyprian, St. Dionysius of Alexandria. Fourth Century—St. Athanasius, St. Hilary of Poitiers, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Basil, St. Gregory Nazianzen, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Ephrem, St. Ambrose, St. Optatus, St. Epiphanius, St. John Chrysostom. Fifth Century—St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Leo the Great, St. Prosper, St. Vincent of Lerins, St. Peter Chrysologus.
William E. Addis and Thomas Arnold, A Catholic Dictionary (New York: The Catholic Publication Society Co., 1887), 342.