The Church Spoke: Recent Episodes
Johnny Lawrence
In this first episode of the Seven Ecumenical Councils we dive into the creeds of the First Council of Nicea. One which was set by the Council as a whole and the other coming from Eusebius of Caesarea.
The second vision of Hermas exhorts him to call his family to repentance and then teaches that the Church was the first creation and the reason for creation.
The first vision of Hermas concerns Hermas' perceived sin against a woman and actual sin against his family.
A letter traditionally attributed to St. Barnabas which furthers typological thought of the Old Testament.
Likely not written by Clement of Rome, but also likely a sermon which shows the Early Church's preaching methodology complete with constant calls to repentance.
Polycarp sends a letter to the church in Philippi urging them to cling to the joy of the Lord. He also mentions that he is enjoining copies of Ignatius' letters to his own for their edification.
Ignatius writes to the Bishop of Smyrna, urging him to press forward and seek God in all things.
A letter to the church in Smyrna calling on them to flee the heretics who deny the bodily resurrection and then to cling to their Bishop as Christ clings to the Father.
A letter from Ignatius to the Church in Philadelphia urging them to stay united to the bishop and to strive for unity.
This letter focuses on fleeing from heresy while still babes in the faith and clinging to your bishop.
Ignatius urges the Magnesians to live as Christians, and not as Jews, by staying in step with their Bishop, Priests, and Deacons.
The Didache's second half regards the administration of Baptism and the Eucharist as well as how prophets and missionaries are to be treated.
The first part of what could be seen as a first century church manual. The first 6 chapters focus on exhorting the young believers to follow the Way of Life and flee from those who are on the Way of Death. Some scholars believe this to be the full text, or an evolution of the full text, which was penned at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.
The letter continues with an interesting statement concerning faith and works as well as a statement on Christian sacrifice.
The Roman Church begins this letter to the Corinthian Church by praising their reputation, before condemning them for the jealousy that has sprung up. The writers defend their attack on jealousy by giving a Biblical overview of what Jealousy has done to the people of God.