ἀποστόλων γενόμενος μαθητής i.e., “the disciple of the Apostles”

Another epistle from the distant past: it never made it into the the New Testament. This is an anonymous letter. The writer only identifies himself as ἀποστόλων γενόμενος μαθητής i.e., “the disciple of the Apostles”. 

The letter is addressed to “most excellent Diognetus” who may have enquired about Christianity: 

a) As a new religious experience, 

b) Its idea of God,

c) How this idea is different from Greek or Jewish idea of God,

d) Why this new religious practice “has only now entered into the world”?

The response by μαθητής is quite polemic and antisemitic in its defense of the new doctrine. The writer makes every effort to distance Christianity from its Jewish roots. 

What is obvious in this letter is that these early Christians did not have it easy living their faith. Opposition and persecution were galore. To the writer, martyrdom was received as “the power of God” - the evidence “of His manifestation”.

The μαθητής speaks of his faith as a new metaphysical experience that is different in form and practice.

One cannot fail to notice that the writer does not explicitly mention by name, the “only-begotten Son” who God sent as the Savior of the world. Yet in words and description he leaves no doubt that his reference is to Yeshua. Why so, I ask? A possible reason why the epistle never made it to the NT! Kĩriakũ wa Kĩnyua

Letter by the Church in Rome to the Church at Corinth

The journey continues. I have just completed reading a letter by the Church in Rome to the Church at Corinth. Possibly, this letter was written towards the end of the first century AD. Translators attribute this letter to Clement of Rome (who is also celebrated by some Christians as having received his authority as the Bishop of Rome from Apostle Peter). The Christian group in Corinth seemed to have reached out to fellow believers in Rome seeking guidance on specific calamitous issues. Paul’s and Peter’s martyrdom was still fresh in the mind of the church in Rome. The church spoke of the two as “the greatest and most righteous pillars”. Curiously, the Christians in Rome quoted extensively from the Septuagint (LXX) and others unknown texts! They spoke fondly of Adam, Abraham, Noah, Psalmist, Daniel, and Isaiah. They even quoted from an Egyptian myth in support of the teaching on resurrection. Yet these early Christians seem to have been unaware of any book of the New Testament. On Yeshua, they spoke with authority. They were the AUTHORITY! Kĩriakũ wa Kĩnyua

Polycarp’s epistle to Christians in Philippi

Did you know that for a period of about 300 years, the early Christians had in their possession many books and epistles that informed their faith? This was long before the Church settled on Athanasius’ (Bishop of Alexandria) list of 27 books of the New Testament. I have just finished re-reading Polycarp’s epistle to Christians in Philippi. Kĩriakũ wa Kĩnyua