|
 Early Christian Dictionary (AD 30 - AD300)
Read freely text sermons and articles from Early Christian Dictionary in text and pdf format. The purpose of any dictionary is to define words and terms. By making use of close to 2,000 quotes from more than 30 different early church writers over a time span of three centuries dating before the time of Constantine, The Early Christian Dictionary lets the early Christians redefine some of the more important Bible concepts. After some investigation, you will probably find their understanding of scripture to be radically different than your own. You may find answers to many questions you�ve always had. The scriptures may come alive to you as you learn to walk in new light.
Or you may decide not to put any reliance on their definitions at all. Even so you must remember that every time you pick up your bible you still rely on the Early Christian writers. That�s because they decided what books to include or not include in the New Testament canon that you use. And after all, if you find you have a serious conflict with the writings of men like Polycarp, you still have to grapple with the fact the these men were favored by both the Lord and the Apostles, and proven faithful even unto death. These are not new truths challenging your old ideas, these are old truths challenging your new ideas.
|
|
|
showing from 1 to 50 of 129 articles
Abel
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firs ... read more
Abortion
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief fol ... read more
Academics
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:15-16
... read more
Adam
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And the LORD Go ... read more
Adornment, Outward
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, wh ... read more
Adultery
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries. Matthew 15:19
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So th ... read more
Angels
I. Nature and position of angels (Top)
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire? Psalm 104:4
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Hebrews 1:7
Neither can they die any ... read more
Antichrist
Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of s ... read more
Apostles
Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute. Luke 11:49
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2:43
For I think ... read more
Assembly, Christian
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the mo ... read more
Atonement
I. Christs ransom (Top)
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. Job 36:18
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Hosea 13:14
For ... read more
Baptism
I. The meaning of baptism
II. Mode and description of baptism
III. Baptism and heretics
I. The meaning of baptism (Top)
Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
For as many of you as ... read more
Beard
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. Leviticus 19:27
They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their fles ... read more
Beast, Description and Mark of the
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7
The final stumbling-block (or source of danger) approaches, c ... read more
Beast, Description and Mark of the
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7
The final stumbling-block (or source of danger) approaches, c ... read more
Bishops and Deacons
I. Requirements for ordination (Top)
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, ... read more
Blood of Christ
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself ... read more
Canon, New Testament
And the presbyter said this. Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied ... read more
Celibacy
All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eu ... read more
Children
Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold t ... read more
Christ
I. Christ is God
II. Relationship to the Father
I. Christ is God (Top)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hithe ... read more
Christianity
I. Description of Christians
II. Meaning of the name Christian
III. True accusations of Christians
IV. False accusations of Christians
I. Description of Christians (Top)
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his sav ... read more
Chronology
For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. And for this reason the Scripture says: "Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God brought to a conclusion upon the sixth ... read more
Church and State
Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings and powers and princes and for them that persecute and hate you and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest among all men, that you may be perfect in Him. Polycarp (A.D. 69-156) ch.12
... read more
Church, The
I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Wherefore, brethren, if we do the will of God our Father, we shall be of the first Church, which is spiritual, which was created before the sun and moon; but if ... read more
Clothing
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 22:5
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the h ... read more
Commandments, Keeping
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. Acts 1:2
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I h ... read more
Community, Christian
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together wit ... read more
Confession of sin
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscie ... read more
Conversations
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Prov. 21:23
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-2 ... read more
Cosmetics
If, then, He takes away anxious care for clothes and food, and superfluities in general, as unnecessary; what are we to imagine ought to be said of love of ornament, and dyeing of wool, and variety of colors, and fastidiousness about gems, and exquisi ... read more
Covenant, Old & New
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:1 ... read more
Cross, The
And he that takes not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
For the prea ... read more
Dead
I. Intermediate state of the dead
II. Christs descent into Hades
I. Intermediate state of the dead (Top)
"Because," said he, "these, the apostles and the teachers who preached the name of the Son of God, after they had fallen asleep in t ... read more
Death, Christian attitude towards
I write to all the churches, and I bid all men know, that of my own free will I die for God, unless you should hinder me. I exhort you, be you not an unseasonable kindness to me. Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto G ... read more
Demons
But, yielding to unreasoning passion, and to the instigation of evil demons, you punish us without consideration or judgment. For the truth shall be spoken; since of old these evil demons, effecting apparitions of themselves, both defiled women and co ... read more
Deuterocanonical Books
Compiler's Note: The Deuterocanonical books are found in the Septuagint; unfortunately the Septuagint never was passed on to western Christians. Even still, the dueterocanonical books continued to be included in the western Bibles until the eighteen h ... read more
Divisions
Do not long for division, but rather bring those who contend to peace. Judge righteously, and do not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be undecided whether or not it shall be. Didache (A.D. 80-140) ch. 4
Every kind of fac ... read more
Divorce and Remarriage
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
It hath been said, Whos ... read more
Easter
We count fasting or kneeling in worship on the Lord's day to be unlawful. We rejoice in the same privilege also from Easter to Whitsunday. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg.94
You have sent to me, most faithful and accomplished son ... read more
Enoch
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleas ... read more
Entertainment
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalm 101:3
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, wit ... read more
Eternal rewards and punishments
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ... read more
Eucharist
I. Meaning of the Eucharist
II. How the Eucharist was celebrated
I. Meaning of the Eucharist (Top)
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of th ... read more
Evangelism
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye ma ... read more
Excommunication
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them a ... read more
Exorcism
For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the possessin ... read more
Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and ... read more
Fall of man
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid ... read more
Fall of man
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hi ... read more
|
1 | 2
| 3
Next >
|
|
|
All sermons are offered freely and all contents of the site
where applicable is committed to the public domain for the
free spread of the gospel.
|
