Early Christian Beliefs About Apostasy

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...easonable manner, giving Himself as a redemption for those who had been taken captive. Although the apostasy unjustly ruled over us, despite us being naturally the property of the all-powerful God, it alienated us unnaturally, making us its disciples. The Word of God, powerful and just in all things, rightly opposed that apostasy and reclaimed His property, not by force, as the apostasy initially seized dominion over us by greedily taking what was not its own, but through persuasion, as fitting for a God who counsels and does not resort to force to achieve His desires, so that neither justice would be violated nor God's ancient creation be destroyed. Since the Lord has redeemed us through His own blood, exchanging His soul for our souls and His flesh for our flesh, and has poured out the Spirit of the Father for the union and communion of God and man—truly and enduringly granting us immortality through communion with God—all the doctrines of the heretics are overturned.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...ostile manner and harassed its inhabitants to claim the glory of a king among those ignorant of his apostasy and robbery; similarly, the devil, one of the angels placed over the spirit of the air, as the Apostle Paul stated in his Epistle to the Ephesians, became envious of man and turned apostate from the divine law, for envy is foreign to God. And as his apostasy was exposed by man, and man became the means of examining his intentions, he has committed himself with increasing determination against man, envying his life and wishing to involve him in his apostate power. The Word of God, the Maker of all things, conquered him through human nature, revealing him as an apostate, and has instead placed him under the power of man. For He says, “Behold, I give you the power to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy,” so that, just as he gained dominion over man through apostasy, his apostasy might lose its power as man turns back to God.

Justin Martyr, Other Fragments from the Lost Writings of Justin Direct teaching

...t him by the prophets in parables and allegories. But after the coming of the Lord, understanding clearly from the teachings of Christ and His apostles that eternal fire was prepared for him who voluntarily turned from God, and for all who, without repentance, persist in apostasy, then, through a man of this sort, he, as if already condemned, blasphemes that God who judges him, and attributes the sin of his apostasy to his Maker, instead of to his own will and preference.

1 John 2:19 Direct teaching

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

1 Timothy 4:1 Supporting witness

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Hebrews 3:12 Supporting witness

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...which some, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck," 1 Timothy 1:18-19, because by unbelief they defiled the conscience that comes from God. Accordingly, faith may no longer, with reason, be disparaged in an offhand way as simple and common, as something ordinary and available to anyone. For if it were a merely human habit, as the Greeks supposed, it would have been extinguished. But if it grows, and there is no place where it is not, then I affirm that faith, whether founded in love or in fear, as its disparagers say, is something divine. It is neither torn apart by any other worldly friendship, nor dissolved by the presence of fear. For love, because of its friendly alliance with faith, makes men believers. And faith, which is the foundation of love, in turn introduces the doing of good, since fear also, the pædagogue of the law, is believed to be fear by those by whom it is believed. For if its existence is shown in its working, it is still believed when it is about to act and threatening, and also when it is not working but is present. And since it is believed to exist, it does not itself generate faith, but is tested by faith and proved trustworthy. Such a ch

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...has been broken. The blessed Apostle Paul speaks this way in his epistle: “For what if some of them fall away from the faith? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. For God is true, though every man is a liar.” Romans 3:3. The greater and better part of the confessors stand firm in the strength of their faith, and in the truth of the Lord’s law and discipline. They do not depart from the peace of the Church, because they remember that they received grace in the Church by God's condescension. And by this very thing they gain a higher praise for their faith: they have separated themselves from the faithlessness of those who had been joined with them in the fellowship of confession, and they have withdrawn from the contagion of crime. Enlightened by the true light of the Gospel, and shining with the Lord’s pure and bright splendor, they are as worthy of praise for keeping the peace of Christ as they were victorious in their struggle with the devil.

Galatians 1:6 Supporting witness

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

Those, therefore, who cast away by apostasy these forementioned things, being in fact destitute of all good, do experience every kind of punishment.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

1 John 2:19 Paul also warns us, when evil men perish out of the Church, not to be disturbed, nor to let our faith be lessened by the departure of the faithless.

Hebrews 6:6 Direct teaching

and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

2 Peter 2:21 Direct teaching

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

2 Peter 2:20 Supporting witness

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

1 Timothy 1:19 Supporting witness

having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

Hebrews 6:4 Direct teaching

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

4 Maccabees 13:15 Background

for great is the trial of soul and danger of eternal torment laid up for those who transgress the commandment of God.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching

...long ago, alas, we shuddered at the struggle carried on in this way by some people with their whole faith, which had had favorable omens. Therefore it will be useless to say, "Though I deny that I am a Christian, I will not be denied by Christ, for I have not denied Him Himself." For even that much will be inferred from that denial, by which, since he denies Christ in him by denying that he is a Christian, he has also denied Christ Himself. But there is more, because He also threatens shame with shame in return: "Whoever shall be ashamed of me before men, of him I also will be ashamed before my Father who is in heaven." For He knew that denial is produced most of all by shame, that the condition of the mind appears in the forehead, and that the wound of shame comes before the wound in the body.

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Supporting witness

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

...when, holding our crimes proved by our confession of the name of Christ, you drive us by torture to fall from our confession, so that, by rejecting the name, we may in the same way reject the crimes with which, from that same confession, you had assumed that we were chargeable. I suppose, though you believe us to be the worst of mankind, you do not wish us to perish. For is this how you usually act? Do you tell the murderer to deny, and order the man guilty of sacrilege to the rack if he continues in his acknowledgment? Is that your way? But if you do not treat us as criminals in this way, then by that very fact you declare us innocent. And as innocent, you are anxious that we should not continue in a confession which you know will bring on us a condemnation at your hands by necessity, not by justice. The man cries out, "I am a Christian." He tells you what he is. You want to hear from him what he is not. Though you hold a place of authority to force out the truth, you do your utmost to get lies from us. "I am," he says, "what you ask whether I am." Why do you torture me to sin? I confess, and you put me to the rack. What would you do if I denied? Certainly you do not quickly be

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Direct teaching

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...g salvation. I gladly rejoice and give thanks, most brave and blessed brothers, when I hear of your faith and courage, in which the Church, our Mother, glories. Recently, she indeed gloried when, because of a steadfast confession, that punishment was endured which drove Christ’s confessors into exile. Yet the present confession is much more shining and greater in honor, because it is braver in suffering. The struggle has grown, and the glory of those who fight has also grown. You were not held back from the battle by fear of tortures. Rather, by the tortures themselves you were stirred up more and more to the conflict. Bravely and firmly you returned, with willing devotion, to contend in the greatest struggle. I find that some of you are already crowned, while some are even now close to the crown of victory. But all whom danger has enclosed together in a glorious company are eager to carry on the struggle with the same common zeal of courage, as is fitting for the soldiers of Christ in the divine camp. Let no attractions deceive the uncorrupted firmness of your faith, no threats terrify you, and no sufferings or tortures overcome you, because greater is He who is in us than he w

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...Spirit of truth has come, He will direct you into all the truth.” And because the Lord was about to depart to heaven, He gave the Paraclete out of necessity to the disciples, so as not to leave them in any degree as orphans, which was little desirable, and forsake them without an advocate and some kind of protector. For this is He who strengthened their hearts and minds, who marked out the Gospel sacraments, who was in them the enlightener of divine things. And they, being strengthened, feared neither dungeons nor chains for the sake of the Lord’s name. No, they even trod under foot the very powers of the world and its tortures, since from now on they were armed and strengthened by the same Spirit, having in themselves the gifts which this same Spirit distributes, and appropriates to the Church, the spouse of Christ, as her ornaments. This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often gives discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts of charismata there are. And thus He makes the Lord’s Church everywhere, and in all t

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...hat hour, and that it is not then we who speak, but the Spirit of God our Father. Since He does not depart from or become separated from those who confess Him, He Himself both speaks in us and is crowned in us. So Daniel too, when he was required to worship the idol Bel, which the people and the king then worshiped, spoke out with full faith and freedom in defending the honor of his God, saying, “I worship nothing but the Lord my God, who created heaven and earth.”

Matthew 24:10 Supporting witness

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

He says to me, “Put away doubt from yourself, and do not hesitate to ask the Lord. Do not say to yourself, ‘How can I ask the Lord and receive from Him, since I have sinned so much against Him?’ Do not think this way. Instead, turn to the Lord with all your heart and ask Him without doubting. Then you will know how great His tender mercies are. He will never leave you, but will grant what your soul asks for. For He is not like people, who remember the wrongs done against them. He Himself does not remember wrongs, and He has compassion on His own creature. Therefore cleanse your heart from all the empty things of this world, and from the words already mentioned, and ask the Lord, and you will receive everything. None of your requests will be refused, if you ask the Lord without doubting. But if you doubt in your heart, you will receive none of your requests. For those who doubt about God are double-minded, and they receive none of their requests. But those who are complete in faith ask for everything, trusting in the Lord, and they receive it, because they ask without doubting and are not double-minded. For every double-minded person, even if he repents, will be saved only with diff

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

After a few days, I saw him in the same plain where I had also seen the shepherds. He said to me, "What do you want from me?" I said to him, "Sir, I want you to order the shepherd who punishes to leave my house, because he is afflicting me very severely." He replied, "It is necessary for you to be afflicted. For this is what the glorious angel commanded concerning you, because he wants you to be tested." I replied, "Sir, what have I done that is so bad, that I should be handed over to this angel?" He said, "Listen. Your sins are many, but they are not so great that you should be handed over to this angel. But your household has committed great wickedness and sins, and the glorious angel has become angry with them because of what they have done. For this reason, he commanded that you be afflicted for a certain time, so that they also might repent and cleanse themselves from every desire of this world. Therefore, when they repent and are purified, the angel of punishment will leave." I said to him, "Sir, if they have done such things as to make the glorious angel angry with them, then what have I done?" He replied, "They cannot be afflicted at all unless you, the head of the house, a

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...these rise into your heart, know that the angel of iniquity is in you. Now that you know his works, depart from him, and do not trust him in any way, because his deeds are evil and useless to the servants of God. “These, then, are the actions of both angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of righteousness. But depart from the angel of iniquity, because his instruction is bad in every deed. For even if a man is most faithful, if the thought of this angel rises into his heart, that man or woman must sin. On the other hand, no matter how bad a man or woman may be, if the works of the angel of righteousness rise into his or her heart, he or she must do something good. You see, therefore, that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, but to say farewell to the angel of iniquity.”

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

Balsamon. Those who from fear only and timidity deserted the faith, and then had an eye towards repentance, the canon punishes with three years' exclusion, according to the parable of the fig-tree in the Gospels.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

Therefore we will pray for them that remission of their sins be granted them by God;

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

He answered, To them whose heart He saw would become pure, and obedient to Him, He gave power to repent with the whole heart.