Sermons & Devotionals by Early Christian Dictionary
Early Christian Dictionary
Polycarp
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich). Revelation 2:8-9 [The writings of Papias in common circulation are five in number, and these are called an E... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Polygamy
And sitting each under his vine, i.e., each man possessing his own married wife. For you are aware that the prophetic word says, 'And his wife shall be like a fruitful vine.'…Justin Martyr (A.D. 160) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg.254 If, then, the teaching of the prophets and of Himself moves you, it... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Poverty and Prosperity
Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Luke 6:24 But the Lord said, No servant can serve two masters. If we desire to serve both God and mammon, it is unprofitable for us: For what advantage is it, if a ma... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Prayer
Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold: For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Prophets and Prophecy
I. Prophets and Prophecy in the early church II. How to discern a true prophet from a false prophet III. Prophets in the Old testament IV. Interpretations of Old testament Prophecies. I. Prophets and Prophecy in the early church (Top) But every true prophet who wants to live among you is worthy of h... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Purity
He that is pure in the flesh, let him be so, and not boast, knowing that it is Another who bestows his continence upon him. Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) ch.38 In like manner also the younger men must be blameless in all things, caring for purity before everything and curbing themselves from every evil.... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Repentance
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salva... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Resurrection of the Dead
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not h... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Rewards and Punishments, Eternal
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29 And, behold, I come quickly; and my ... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Sabbath
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink,... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Salvation
Fear is the foundation of salvation; presumption is an impediment to fear. More useful, then, is it to apprehend that we may possibly fail, than to presume that we cannot; for apprehending will lead us to fear, fearing to caution, and caution to salvation. On the other hand, if we presume, there wil... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Satan
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 "Man, Sir," I say, "is eager to keep the commandments of God, and there is no one that asks not of... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Septuagint; or the LXX
Compiler's note: The Septuagint (LXX) was the first Greek translation made of the Old Testament by seventy two translators in Alexandria, Egypt during the third century B.C.. The word “Septuagint” comes from the Latin word for seventy. The Septuagint was the bible that Jesus, the apostles and the ea... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Sibyl
Greek and Roman prophetesses predating the Christ were known as Sibyls. Due to the fact that their prophecies often support Christian belief, the early Christians believed that God had planted seeds of truth in the Greek and Roman cultures through the sibyls. We must also mention what the ancient an... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Soul
I. Nature of the soul II. Distinction between the body and the soul I. Nature of the soul (Top) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 For reflect upon the... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Taxes
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of t... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Temples
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. John 4:20-21 Let us be spiritually-minded: let u... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
The Woman's Place
I. Counsel to women II. Examples of godly women III. The woman’s role in the church IV. The woman’s role in heretic and pagan religions I. Counsel to women (Top) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good thing... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Tithes
But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. ...If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. …And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. ...But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you... Read More
Early Christian Dictionary
Tree of Life & Tree Knowledge
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 Further, what says He? "And there was a river flowing on the right, and from it arose... Read More
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Early Christian Dictionary (AD 30 - AD300)
Read freely text sermons and articles from Early Christian Dictionary in text and pdf format. The purpose of any dictionary is to define words and terms. By making use of close to 2,000 quotes from more than 30 different early church writers over a time span of three centuries dating before the time of Constantine, The Early Christian Dictionary lets the early Christians redefine some of the more important Bible concepts. After some investigation, you will probably find their understanding of scripture to be radically different than your own. You may find answers to many questions you�ve always had. The scriptures may come alive to you as you learn to walk in new light.Or you may decide not to put any reliance on their definitions at all. Even so you must remember that every time you pick up your bible you still rely on the Early Christian writers. That�s because they decided what books to include or not include in the New Testament canon that you use. And after all, if you find you have a serious conflict with the writings of men like Polycarp, you still have to grapple with the fact the these men were favored by both the Lord and the Apostles, and proven faithful even unto death. These are not new truths challenging your old ideas, these are old truths challenging your new ideas.