Aristides of Athens: The Christians

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:8

“But the Christians, O King, while they went about and made search, have found the truth; and as we learned from their writings, they have come nearer to truth and genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all things, to whom there is no other god as companion, from whom they received commandments which they engraved upon their minds and observe in hope and expectation of the world which is to come.

Wherefore they do not commit adultery nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor embezzle what is held in pledge, nor covet what is not theirs. They honour father and mother, and show kindness to those near to them; and whenever they are judges, they judge uprightly. They do not worship idols (made) in the image of man; and whatsoever they would not that others should do unto them, they do not to others; and of the food which is consecrated to idols they do not eat, for they are pure.

And their oppressors they comfort and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies; and their women, O King, are pure as virgins, and their daughters are modest; and their men keep themselves from every unlawful union and from all uncleanness, in the hope of a recompense to come in the other world. Further, if one or other of them have bondmen and bondwomen or children, through love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have done so, they call them brethren without distinction.

They do not worship strange gods, and they go their way in all modesty and cheerfulness. Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God.

And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.

They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses toward them; and for their food and their drink they offer thanksgiving to Him. And if any righteous man among them passes from the world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God; and they escort his body as if he were setting out from one place to another near.

And when a child has been born to one of them, they give thanks to God; and if moreover it happen to die in childhood, they give thanks to God the more, as for one who has passed through the world without sins. And further if they see that any one of them dies in his ungodliness or in his sins, for him they grieve bitterly, and sorrow as for one who goes to meet his doom.”

Aristides of Athens (d. 134) in The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher of Athens XV. This apology was written for the Roman Emperor Hadrian (c. 117-134) to describe the behavior of the Christians.

When any behavior outside the cultural norm surfaced in the ancient world, the philosophers were commissioned to go collect the truth and report. I marvel afresh today how they exhibit generosity rooted in gratitude.

What description stuck out to you as exemplary? Their devotion or sexual purity? Their integrity or modesty? Their sacrifice or service? Oh that modern reporters would find the same descriptions in the church today!

Three phrases touched me. Consider them with me.

1. “And their oppressors they comfort and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies.” I pray for my Ukrainian friends to not grow bitter but do good and win Russians as friends. I pray this in the spirit of Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2. “And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.” This requires us to attune to the needs of other fellow believers around us. The willingness of the early church to sacrifice and supply what others needed inspires me to set aside my desires and attune to the needs of others.

3. “Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses toward them.” As my focus in 2023 is gratitude, it motivates me to see how every morning and every hour they gave thanks for God’s generosity, his loving-kindnesses to them. That implies that they thanked God for the little things.

God help us love our enemies and make them our friends. Teach us to attune to the needs of fellow believers, to fast and sacrifice to support them. And hear our daily and hourly gratitude for the blessings we enjoy thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

“Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith. Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and earth, is brought to an end.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Ephesians 1 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Ephesians, he points the pathway to perpetual peace: assemble frequently. The evil one aims to divide and conquer. We must convene and celebrate victory.

I have a friend, perhaps you know people like him, who the evil one is trying to separate from the fold, convince him of lies, and destroy him. When I see him, I make it a point to speak truth.

Will he make it? I don’t know. But I know this. When I convene with my brothers at Bible study, or when I go to church, my faith grows stronger. When I find myself alone, my faith gets weak.

What’s this got to do with generosity? We must encourage everyone we know to assemble together with thankful hearts. In so doing, God will fill us with peace.

Know anyone that is isolated. Encourage them to join you in soaking in the generous love and peace of Christ. In so doing, you may just save their lives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

“Having been informed of your godly love, so well-ordered, I rejoiced greatly, and determined to commune with you in the faith of Jesus Christ. For as one who has been thought worthy of the most honourable of all names, in those bonds which I bear about, I commend the Churches, in which I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, the constant source of our life, and of faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred, but especially of Jesus and the Father, in whom, if we endure all the assaults of the prince of this world, and escape them, we shall enjoy God.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Magnesians 1 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Magnesians, residents of the city of Magnesia, he describes Jesus as the “constant source” of our life who helps us “endure all the assaults of the prince of this world.”

What a generous Lord we serve! As He Himself said, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus is the opposite of a thief. He’s our “constant source” of abundant life.

A few times whilst growing up, I saw wells drilled and bubbling. Perhaps you too have seen this? It’s amazing how a well serves as a constant source of cool, fresh water!

So where do we fit in the picture? Like the Magnesians, we get to go to the well to get water to enjoy and share. To be refreshed and to refresh others. Do it generously!

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

At GTP we pray for God to raise up monthly givers. I mentioned this yesterday and a few people responded. Can you consider serving as a constant source to refresh workers at GTP?

If you missed it yesterday, take a moment to do it today. Send $10 or $100 per month starting in January. Visit the GTP giving page to set up your monthly gift.

Your gift sends refreshment and a salute to staff who minister in hard places and live in Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, and USA.

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Philippians 4:21-23

“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you. Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes every one of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to hear me, that I may not, by having written, be a testimony against you. And do ye also pray for me, who have need of your love, along with the mercy of God, that I may be worthy of the lot for which I am destined, and that I may not be found reprobate.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Trallians 12 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Trallians, residents of the city of Tralles, sent from Smyrna, we see him use a powerful idea employed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians: Salute!

Paul boldly calls the Philippians to salute every saint. And he fearlessly adds that those in Caesar’s household salute them back. And with the salute comes generous refreshment.

Notice again the idea that Ignatius reports that he has received refreshment. Is there someone in ministry that you could salute and refresh in the new year?

At GTP we pray for God to raise up monthly givers. Can you consider sending $10 or $100 per month starting in January. Visit the PayPal link on the GTP giving page to set up your monthly gift.

Your gift sends refreshment and a salute to staff who minister in hard places and live in Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, and USA.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

“Through prayer to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces, and have even been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love, lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Romans (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In this, his letter to the Romans we see similar language as Paul in his letter to the Philippians. We see the language of not stopping with having obtained something but also attaining (or straining) toward a goal.

Pause and ponder with me in order to see the connection to gratitude and your own generosity. Otherwise, like many you may be tempted to give up (and you don’t want that kind of giving in these hard times)!

When we obtain a privilege. It is not for us alone but for our sharing. When we obtain progress, it is not for us to stop, but rather to press on to the goal in humble service and to finish well.

Take a moment to assess what you have obtained in 2023. Now consider with gratitude that maybe you have have received this blessing or grace in order to attain to some greater end as part of God’s will for you.

Thank God for what you have obtained but don’t stop there. Ask Him what He wants you to attain to from here. And with Ignatius, I pray that God will help all of us obtain grace so we may attain well unto the end!

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:7-13

“Now, as to Philo the deacon, of Cilicia, a man of reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding his life-these bear witness in your behalf; and I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye have received them, even as the Lord you. But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans, to show their respect. May the Lord Jesus Christ honour them, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and faith, and love, and concord! Fare ye well in Christ Jesus, our common hope.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Philadelphians (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

Ignatius traveled with Philo and Rheus Agathopus, whom we read about yesterday in his letter to the Smyrnaeans. Now we see Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer, has joined the group thanks to the support of the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans.

Notice three things today from the opening of the message from our Lord Jesus Christ to the church in Philadelphia and from the correspondence to the church a generation later.

Firstly, Jesus knows their deeds and responds accordingly. Read the Scripture again. He says, “I know…I know…” followed by “I will make…I will make…I will make.”

When we do the deeds He desires of us, we can count on Him to act in accordance with His character. We can be assured of His generous and tender care in difficult times.

Secondly, names matter. Jesus will write His name on those who persevere. Because they played there part, they have much to look forward to in the city of God.

And it seems like we get examples with the fearless saints mentioned in this letter of Ignatius, namely, Philo the deacon, Rheus Agathopus the elect man, and Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer.

Thirdly, gratitude drips from every word of Ignatius. The church has received these fellow workers and appears unified in extending generous hospitality. We do this because we share a common hope.

Jesus knows our deeds. He values the roles we play. And He knows our names. So, to inspire others to persevere in playing their parts, we get call them by name and drip with the same gratitude of Ignatius.

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 6-7

“Ye have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God, who have followed me for the sake of God, and who give thanks to the Lord in your behalf, because ye have in every way refreshed them. None of these things shall be lost to you. May my spirit be for you, and my bonds, which ye have not despised or been ashamed of; nor shall Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) To the Smyrnaeans (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

The early church grew through the service and sharing of ordinary people like you and me. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he expresses gratitude for the way Philemon had “refreshed” the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Similarly, Ignatius of Antioch affirms how the church in Smyrna had received and refreshed Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God “in every way” which implies material and spiritual replenishment.

What might it look like for your generosity to refresh others in material and spiritual ways? What if you increase your giving in 2023? Or how about making it a point to write letters to encourage people?

These kinds of activities refresh people and help them grow. Conversely the worldly mindset seeks to consume our time, energy, and resources with things that don’t necessarily deepen our understanding of everything we share in Christ.

Don’t waste your 2023. Live it like Ignatius did when making His way to Rome. He wrote letters expressing gratitude and encouraged hearers to persevere in the faith. Likewise, Paul made the most of his time on house arrest waiting to meet Caesar.

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:30-31

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

“For this has been your custom from the beginning, to do good to all the brethren in various ways, and to send resources to many churches which are in every city, thus refreshing the poverty of the needy, and granting subsidies to the brethren who are in the mines. Through the resources which ye have sent from the beginning, ye Romans, keep up the custom of the Romans handed down by the fathers, which your blessed Bishop Soter has not only preserved, but added to, sending a splendid gift to the saints, and exhorting with blessed words those brethren who go up to Rome, as an affectionate father his children.”

Dionysius of Corinth in Fragments from a letter to the Roman Church (c. 165-175).

Let’s learn from the “custom” of the early church in Rome in the second century today. Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth is writing Soter, Bishop of Rome. He’s alerting the Romans that they remain faithful to follow the generous example of the Romans with hearts full of gratitude.

The custom of the Roman Church was to “do good to all the brethren in various ways.” Let’s parse this. Support flowed between churches. Those in poverty received refreshment. And those forced to work in mines for their faith got support to help them survive. It’s beautiful.

What touches me so deeply today is that about 100 years earlier, the Apostle Paul wrote today’s Scripture urging the church in Corinth to be caring and sharing with the aim of equality. This meant they wanted to be sure that everyone had enough to survive.

It seems the growth of the church then, at least in part, can be linked to their obedient and grateful practice of caring and sharing with each other, the poor, and the persecuted ones. Do you and does your church follow this custom of doing good to all the brethren in various ways?

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

“Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because “alms delivers from death.” Be all of you subject one to another? having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.”

Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155) in his Letter to the Philippians 10:1-3 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

We are one week into the new year. Gratitude inspires our generous living, and yet, a leading barrier comes into view in this early church writing by Polycarp, who was discipled by John, one of the twelve disciples.

Procrastination is the barrier. Whwn we put off to tomorrow the good works God wants us to do today, we don’t just fail to show generosity, we actually blaspheme the name of the Lord. So, we must sober up about this, he writes.

But why would he quote the early church expression that “alms deliver from death.” I think it’s because He wants his readers in Philippi to know that their generosity impacts others, but it also shapes their eternal destiny.

Their giving shows the veracity of their faith. It reveals that they have not given up but are pressing on in following the example of the Lord. What do your deeds reveal about your faith in Jesus Christ?

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:6-9a

“While fasting and sitting on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all His dealings with me, I see the Shepherd sitting down beside me, and saying, “Why have you come hither early in the morning?” “Because, sir,” I answered, “I have a station.” “What is a station?” he asked. “I am fasting, sir,” I replied. “What is this fasting,” he continued, “which you are observing?” “As I have been accustomed, sir,” I reply, “so I fast.” “You do not know,” he says, “how to fast unto the Lord: this useless fasting which you observe to Him is of no value.” “Why, sir,” I answered, “do you say this?” “I say to you,” he continued, “that the fasting which you think you observe is not a fasting. But I will teach you what is a full and acceptable fasting to the Lord. Listen,” he continued: “God does not desire such an empty fasting? For fasting to God in this way you will do nothing for a righteous life; but offer to God a fasting of the following kind: Do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart: keep His commandments, walking in His precepts, and let no evil desire arise in your heart; and believe in God. If you do these things, and fear Him, and abstain from every evil thing, you will live unto God; and if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, and one acceptable before God.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. 100-160) in Shepherd of Hermas, Fifth Similitude, 5:1.

Don’t start 2023 with useless activity. Combine traits of a righteous life with fasting and giving thanks. Set aside your desires and with a grateful heart, pursue that which God desires.

This is not only acceptable before God. It’s the way for life. He will show up for you and hear your prayers. Do your part and He will do His. What might you need to fast from moving forward?

At GTP we have a training we replicate called Stations of Generosity. With the word ‘stations’ think seven stops along a train line. Consider that word picture as Shepherd of Hermas uses the same term.

On the road or ‘train line’ of life, setting aside our desires in fasting and giving thanks come into view as only the first two stops on the way. Those position us to make a difference.

From there, following the Prophet Isaiah echoed by the Shepherd of Hermas, we must serve others and share generously. As we do, we exhibit the righteousness God desires. At what station are you?