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  BEWARE OF FALSE DOCTRINES
  by Ignatius of Antioch
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Summary: Christ's suffering established the Church and provided
immortality, but we must beware of false doctrines and use our reason to
judge concerning God.

Topics: "False Doctrine", "Discernment"

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DESCRIPTION
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Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of the Church being
anointed with the fragrance of Christ, symbolized by the ointment poured
on His head, to draw believers closer to Him. He warns against being
influenced by the deceptive teachings of the world and urges believers
to use their God-given reason to discern and not fall into ignorance or
neglect the gift of faith. Ignatius questions why humanity, with the
ability to judge concerning God, would foolishly perish due to neglect
and lack of wisdom.

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CONTENT
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For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured upon His
head, that His Church might breathe forth immortality. For saith [the
Scripture], "Thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore have the
virgins loved Thee; they have drawn Thee; at the odour of Thine
ointments we will run after Thee." Let no one be anointed with the bad
odour of the doctrine of [the prince of] this world; let not the holy
Church of God be led captive by his subtlety, as was the first woman.

Why do we not, as gifted with reason, act wisely? When we had received
from Christ, and had grafted in us the faculty of judging concerning
God, why do we fall headlong into ignorance? and why, through a careless
neglect of acknowledging the gift which we have received, do we
foolishly perish?

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/beware-of-false-doctrines/
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