Over the last few weeks we have met some Christian heroes of the second century: Polycarp, Felicitas and Justin. These all bore outward testimony to Jesus and were all martyred for his sake.
Meanwhile the church grew in numbers and in its geographical spread. This was a church like any other in history: an imperfect company of imperfect saints. Problems soon arose within local churches and required help.
The church at Corinth needed attention from the Apostle Paul for its problems in New Testament times. Further problems arose later in the first century. The ‘fitting and orderly way’ that Paul had commended to Corinth (1 Cor 14:50) fell apart. Some senior church leaders were summarily deposed and disorder threatened.
New of this reached Rome where Clement was the key leader. He is called ‘bishop’. This means that he was a senior local church leader rather than a modern-day regional bishop. This Clement may be the person mentioned in Philippians 4:3 and almost certainly knew the apostles Peter and Paul at Rome as a young man. He was born in the modern Ukraine and lived AD40-99.
Clement wrote to the troubled church in Corinth. ‘The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians’ was probably written in 96AD and is the first surviving Christian writing after the New Testament. It was read alongside Paul’s letters at Corinth as late as AD170.
Clement’s letter is warmly pastoral and has wise words for the church of any age as it faces disagreements and conflicts. Notice how he commends gentleness towards fellow-believers and points us towards Christ: …
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness. … For Christ is of those who are humble-minded and not of those who exalt themselves over the flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance … but in a lowly condition.
…. Let our whole body then be preserved in Christ Jesus and let everyone be subject to his neighbour.
It is inevitable that problems arise within churches. What matters is how we resolve them. Clement sets an example of decisive action, rather than dithering. He shows us the way of peacemaking that looks to Christ and bids us look not to our own interests but to that of the whole church.
Showing posts with label church history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church history. Show all posts
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
HEROES OF THE FAITH – JUSTIN
Christian heroism comes in many forms. Some are heroes in missions, evangelism or care of the needy. Others are heroes of the Christian mind.
Justin (~ AD100-165) was born in Palestine of pagan parents. He pursued truth and meaning through Greek philosophy until his conversion to Christianity aged about 30. He writes: … I was delighted with the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, but at the same time saw them intrepid at the prospect of death … . These believers may not have matched the unconverted Justin in debate, but they clinched the argument with their deeds.
Do our lives commend Christ to his cultured critics?
Justin became a leading Christian scholar. He first taught in Ephesus where he argued for Christ against Jewish critics. Next stop was Rome. He spoke for Christ to the pagan philosophers and even the Roman Senate.
Do we use our pre-Christian strengths and contacts in the service of Christ?
Christianity sometimes has an uneasy relationship with philosophy. In part this is based on a misreading of the text: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8). Justin was one of the first to see that the problem is not with philosophy itself but with philosophy that denied Christ. He tried to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) as he thought, spoke and wrote with a Christian intellect. Some of his views seem problematic today, but we should not miss the challenge to develop and express a world-engaging Christian mind.
Here is a sample of his robust writing: Hence we are called atheists. And we confess that we are atheists, so far as the gods of this kind are concerned, but not with respect to the most true God ….
Do we think as Christians on the issues of our day?
Do we speak as Christians in our public square?
Justin was not just words. His public arguments for Christianity brought him under surveillance. He was denounced for refusing to sacrifice to the local gods, scourged and beheaded. And that is why he is more commonly known as Justin Martyr.
Are we ready to confess Christ as Lord, whatever the consequences?
Justin (~ AD100-165) was born in Palestine of pagan parents. He pursued truth and meaning through Greek philosophy until his conversion to Christianity aged about 30. He writes: … I was delighted with the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, but at the same time saw them intrepid at the prospect of death … . These believers may not have matched the unconverted Justin in debate, but they clinched the argument with their deeds.
Do our lives commend Christ to his cultured critics?
Justin became a leading Christian scholar. He first taught in Ephesus where he argued for Christ against Jewish critics. Next stop was Rome. He spoke for Christ to the pagan philosophers and even the Roman Senate.
Do we use our pre-Christian strengths and contacts in the service of Christ?
Christianity sometimes has an uneasy relationship with philosophy. In part this is based on a misreading of the text: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8). Justin was one of the first to see that the problem is not with philosophy itself but with philosophy that denied Christ. He tried to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) as he thought, spoke and wrote with a Christian intellect. Some of his views seem problematic today, but we should not miss the challenge to develop and express a world-engaging Christian mind.
Here is a sample of his robust writing: Hence we are called atheists. And we confess that we are atheists, so far as the gods of this kind are concerned, but not with respect to the most true God ….
Do we think as Christians on the issues of our day?
Do we speak as Christians in our public square?
Justin was not just words. His public arguments for Christianity brought him under surveillance. He was denounced for refusing to sacrifice to the local gods, scourged and beheaded. And that is why he is more commonly known as Justin Martyr.
Are we ready to confess Christ as Lord, whatever the consequences?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
HEROES OF THE FAITH – THE FILIAL BOND
One of the worst fears of many parents is to attend our own child’s funeral. But what if you watched your seven sons die before your eyes because you were Christians and also knew that you were next?
Would we stay loyal to Christ?
Felicitas was a wealthy Christian widow who lived in Rome. She was born in AD101, had seven sons. Many people were converted through her charitable deeds. These deeds and the conversions attracted attention. Pagan priests complained against her to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and a trial date was set.
Are our lives so distinctly Christian as to attract attention and even hostility for Christ’s sake?
A public official tried to persuade Felicitas and her sons to abandon Christ. He failed. According to tradition, the first son was whipped and pressed with weights until he died. The next two had their brains beaten out with clubs. The next was thrown from a height to his death. The last three sons were beheaded. As each son died, Felicitas was offered the pardon of her own life if she renounced Christ. She refused. And so, aged 65, this Christian widow was beheaded with the same sword that was used against her youngest sons.
What price would we pay for Jesus?
Our families can be causes of division in the faith and even Jesus had troubled family relationships at times (eg Mat 10:34-38; 12:47-50). However, for most of us, our families are the one group of people who we can count on to stand by us in all circumstances and to love us at all times.
Imagine then the feelings of Felicitas as her sons suffered on her account. Had she renounced her Lord, they, and she, may well have lived. Instead, like Mary, her soul was pierced on their account (Lke2:35). This mother was made of an inner steel that was tougher than the sword used against her sons and herself.
How firm is our resolve to maintain our confession in Jesus?
Few of us are likely to be tested in the manner of Felicitas. However, we will all be tested if we are faithful to the Lord. May we be as resolute as this noble hero of the faith and keep Jesus in absolute first place in our lives.
Would we stay loyal to Christ?
Felicitas was a wealthy Christian widow who lived in Rome. She was born in AD101, had seven sons. Many people were converted through her charitable deeds. These deeds and the conversions attracted attention. Pagan priests complained against her to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and a trial date was set.
Are our lives so distinctly Christian as to attract attention and even hostility for Christ’s sake?
A public official tried to persuade Felicitas and her sons to abandon Christ. He failed. According to tradition, the first son was whipped and pressed with weights until he died. The next two had their brains beaten out with clubs. The next was thrown from a height to his death. The last three sons were beheaded. As each son died, Felicitas was offered the pardon of her own life if she renounced Christ. She refused. And so, aged 65, this Christian widow was beheaded with the same sword that was used against her youngest sons.
What price would we pay for Jesus?
Our families can be causes of division in the faith and even Jesus had troubled family relationships at times (eg Mat 10:34-38; 12:47-50). However, for most of us, our families are the one group of people who we can count on to stand by us in all circumstances and to love us at all times.
Imagine then the feelings of Felicitas as her sons suffered on her account. Had she renounced her Lord, they, and she, may well have lived. Instead, like Mary, her soul was pierced on their account (Lke2:35). This mother was made of an inner steel that was tougher than the sword used against her sons and herself.
How firm is our resolve to maintain our confession in Jesus?
Few of us are likely to be tested in the manner of Felicitas. However, we will all be tested if we are faithful to the Lord. May we be as resolute as this noble hero of the faith and keep Jesus in absolute first place in our lives.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Heroes of the Faith – Polycarp
2,000 years of Christian history have produced many heroic figures whose examples of dedication to Christ inspire and teach us.
One such is Polycarp of Smyrna (Izmir in modern west Turkey). It seems he was born about AD69 and was a leading Bishop of the church in Roman Asia. In AD155 he was on the ‘most wanted’ list for the local authorities. The charges against him were atheism (for not believing in the Roman gods) and sedition (for putting Christ before Emperor).
When Polycarp was arrested he said: God’s will be done, and provided refreshments for his captors while he prayed for two hours. On the day of his trial his judges were embarrassed at such an aged and gentle man. One asked: "What harm is there in saying that Caesar is Lord … and so saving yourself". Another said: "Swear and I release you, curse Christ."
Polycarp’s reply is one of the noblest confessions of any martyr: "For 86 years I have been his servant, and he has never done me wrong: how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?"
Are we so loyal and grateful to Christ that we would say this?
Death by wild beasts and then burning was threatened. Polycarp replied: "The fire you threaten burns for a time and is soon extinguished: there is a fire you know nothing about – the fire of the judgement to come … . But why do you wait? Do what you want ... ."
Are we so certain of the hope to come that we would be thus calm before this prospect?
As the fire was prepared he prayed again: "I bless you for counting me worthy of this day and hour, that in the number of the martyrs I may partake of Christ’s cup, to the resurrection of eternal life of both body and soul …."
Are we so fixed on Christ and his kingdom that we could say the same, even for the lesser suffering that we have for Christ?
It seems that the young Polycarp knew the Apostle John. Little could John have known how his words to the church in Smyrna would prove so apt for her later bishop: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. … The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death" (Rev 2:10-11).
May we have grace to be as faithful as Polycarp.
One such is Polycarp of Smyrna (Izmir in modern west Turkey). It seems he was born about AD69 and was a leading Bishop of the church in Roman Asia. In AD155 he was on the ‘most wanted’ list for the local authorities. The charges against him were atheism (for not believing in the Roman gods) and sedition (for putting Christ before Emperor).
When Polycarp was arrested he said: God’s will be done, and provided refreshments for his captors while he prayed for two hours. On the day of his trial his judges were embarrassed at such an aged and gentle man. One asked: "What harm is there in saying that Caesar is Lord … and so saving yourself". Another said: "Swear and I release you, curse Christ."
Polycarp’s reply is one of the noblest confessions of any martyr: "For 86 years I have been his servant, and he has never done me wrong: how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?"
Are we so loyal and grateful to Christ that we would say this?
Death by wild beasts and then burning was threatened. Polycarp replied: "The fire you threaten burns for a time and is soon extinguished: there is a fire you know nothing about – the fire of the judgement to come … . But why do you wait? Do what you want ... ."
Are we so certain of the hope to come that we would be thus calm before this prospect?
As the fire was prepared he prayed again: "I bless you for counting me worthy of this day and hour, that in the number of the martyrs I may partake of Christ’s cup, to the resurrection of eternal life of both body and soul …."
Are we so fixed on Christ and his kingdom that we could say the same, even for the lesser suffering that we have for Christ?
It seems that the young Polycarp knew the Apostle John. Little could John have known how his words to the church in Smyrna would prove so apt for her later bishop: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. … The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death" (Rev 2:10-11).
May we have grace to be as faithful as Polycarp.
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