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