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  BE ON YOUR GUARD, THEREFORE, AGAINST SUCH PERSONS
  by Ignatius of Antioch
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Summary: Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of being on guard
against conceit and arrogance, and of obeying church leaders,
particularly the bishop, in order to live a life pleasing to God.

Topics: "Church Leadership", "Spiritual Humility"
Scripture References: Proverbs 16:18, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5

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DESCRIPTION
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Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of being on guard against
those who may lead us astray, urging believers to live lives without
offense to others and to avoid arrogance and haughtiness. He highlights
the need for humility and reverence towards God, encouraging believers
to fear Him and tremble at His words. Ignatius also stresses the
significance of respecting and obeying bishops, presbyters, and deacons,
as they are appointed by Christ and play vital roles in the church.

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CONTENT
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Be on your guard, [therefore, against such persons, that ye admit not of
a snare for your own souls. And act so that your life shall be without
offence to all men, lest ye become as "a snare upon a watch-tower, and
as a net which is spread out." For" he that does not heal himself in his
own works, is the brother of him that destroys himself." If, therefore,
ye also put away conceit, arrogance, disdain, and haughtiness, it will
be your privilege to be inseparably united to God, for "He is nigh unto
those that fear Him." And says He, "Upon whom will I look, but upon him
that is humble and quiet, and that trembles at my words? " And do ye
also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according as the blessed
apostles have enjoined you.

He that is within the altar is pure, wherefore also he is obedient to
the bishop and presbyters: but he that is without is one that does
anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons. Such a
person is defiled in his conscience, and is worse than an infidel.

For what is the bishop but one who beyond all others possesses all power
and authority, so far as it is possible for a man to possess it, who
according to his ability has been made an imitator of the Christ Of God?
And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counsellors and
assessors of the bishop?

And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling
a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the
blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to
Peter? He, therefore, that will not yield obedience to such, must needs
be one utterly without God, an impious man who despises Christ, and
depreciates His appointments.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/be-on-your-guard-therefore-against-such-persons/
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