Early Christian Daily Discipleship and Christian Living

Luke 9:23 Direct teaching

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24 Direct teaching

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 Supporting witness

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Luke 14:27 Supporting witness

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

Luke 14:33 But he who has begun to be Christ's disciple, renouncing all things according to the word of his Master, ought to ask for his daily food, and not to extend the desires of his petition to a long period, as the Lord again prescribes, and says, Take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow itself shall take thought for itself.

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...n Himself? Again, when He chose certain men who were loaded and burdened with sins for the honor of discipleship, twelve in number, whom He also named His apostles, He gave them this command: 'Leave father and mother, that you may be made worthy of me.' By this He meant that from there on the memory of father or mother should no longer weaken the steadfastness of their heart. "And on another occasion, when a different man said to Him, 'I will go and bury my father,' He answered, 'Let the dead bury their dead.' See, then, how my Lord Jesus Christ builds up His disciples for all things necessary, and gives His sacred words to each one in a way suited to what is fitting for him. And in just the same way here, when a certain man came in with the inconsiderate message about His mother, He did not take the event as an opportunity to leave His Father's commission unattended, even for the sake of having His mother with Him. "But to show you even more clearly that this is the true account of the matter, let me remind you that Peter, at a certain time, after receiving that declaration of blessedness from Him, said to Jesus, 'Be it far from You, Lord. This shall not be to You.' He said thi

Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans (Long Version) Direct teaching

...and outer strength, that I may not only speak, but truly will, so that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really found to be one. For if I am truly found a Christian, I may also be called one, and be deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." The Christian is not the result of persuasion, but of power. When he is hated by the world, he is loved by God. For says the Scripture, "If you were of this world, the world would love its own; but now you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it: continue in fellowship with me."

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

45 And Jesus called the multitudes with his disciples, and said to them, Whosoever would come after me, let him deny himself, and take his cross every day, and 46 come after me.

Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness

For truly the first thing is to deny one’s self and to follow Christ;

Philippians 1:27 Direct teaching

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Titus 2:12 Direct teaching

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Ephesians 4:1 Supporting witness

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Colossians 2:6 Supporting witness

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Polycarp, Connection to Titus 2:12 Supporting witness

let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord.

Polycarp, Connection to Colossians 1:10 Supporting witness

Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith.

Polycarp, Connection to Philippians 1:27 Supporting witness

Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked," we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ, and not of men.

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

And again: As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him;

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

if we put Him on, if He is the way of our salvation, who follow Christ in the footsteps of salvation, let us walk by the example of Christ, as the Apostle John instructs us, saying, He who says he abides in Christ, ought himself also to walk even as He walked.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

1 John 2:6 Peter also, upon whom by the Lord's condescension the Church was founded, Matthew 16:18 lays it down in his epistle, and says, Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps, who did no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth;

1 Peter 1:15 Direct teaching

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Hebrews 12:14 Direct teaching

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Leviticus 20:7 Supporting witness

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 20:8 Supporting witness

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

1 Peter 1:16 Supporting witness

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride.

Unknown, Unknown Work Supporting witness

Such ought those who are consecrated to Christ appear, and frame themselves in their whole life, as they fashion themselves in the church for the sake of gravity;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

not double-minded, but grave, continent, sober, pure, avoiding the conversation of many, and especially of those that are of ill reputation.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Walk therefore holily, that you may rather appear worthy of praise from the Lord than of complaint from the adversary.

Hebrews 3:13 Direct teaching

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Supporting witness

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

... "not that you were made sorry, but that you showed readiness for repentance. For you sorrowed in a godly way, so that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world works death. For see what earnestness this very thing produced in you, that you sorrowed in a godly way; yes, what clearing of yourselves; yes, what compunction; yes, what fear; yes, what desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what revenge! In all things you have shown yourselves clear in the matter." 2 Corinthians 7:1-11. Such are the preparatory exercises of gnostic discipline. And since the almighty God Himself gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; we must therefore strive to reach manhood, as is fitting for the Gnostic, and to be as perfect as we can while still living in the flesh. We must make it our aim, in perfect ha

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...nt, powerful, glorious, and able to save a person's soul. I said to myself, "I will be blessed if I walk in these commandments, and everyone who walks in them will be blessed." While I was saying these things to myself, I suddenly saw him sitting beside me, and I heard him say this: "Why are you doubtful about the commandments that I gave you? They are excellent. Do not doubt them at all. Instead, put on faith in the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them. These commandments are useful for those who intend to repent. For if they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain. Therefore, you who repent, throw away the wickedness of this world that wears you out. And by putting on all the virtues of a holy life, you will be able to keep these commandments, and you will no longer add to the number of your sins. Walk, therefore, in these commandments of mine, and you will live to God. All these things have been spoken to you by me." After he had said these words, he said to me, "Let us go into the fields, and I will show you the shepherds of the flocks." "Let us go, sir," I replied. And we came to a certain plain, and he showed me a young man, a shepher

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Well, because He says, Be holy, even as I am holy, Leviticus 20:7 we ask and entreat, that we who were sanctified in baptism may continue in that which we have begun to be.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

so also ought each one, after a lapse or sin, to cleanse himself from his stains, making Him his example, and, taking Him as the guide of his journey, enter upon the steep way of virtue, that so perchance by this means, as far as possible we may, by imitating Him, be made partakers of the divine nature, according to the words of Scripture: He that says that he believes in Christ, ought so to walk, as He also walked.

Didache, Connection to 2 Corinthians 7:1 Background

and deliver them from all ungodliness, and give no place to the adversary against them; "and cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and dwell in them, and walk in them, by His Christ; bless their goings out and their comings in, and order their affairs for their good."

Didache, Connection to 2 Corinthians 7:1 Background

and that He might remit ungodliness and sins, and might "purify him from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,"

Hermas, Connection to 2 Corinthians 7:1 Supporting witness

cleanse yourselves from the vanities of this world, that the Spirit who dwells in you may testify to your purification.

Didache, Connection to 2 Corinthians 7:1 Background

and sanctify our body and soul, and grant us the favour to be "made pure from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,"

Didache, Connection to 2 Corinthians 7:1 Background

and grant her Thy Holy Spirit, and "cleanse her from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,"

1 Peter 2:12 Direct teaching

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

2 Corinthians 1:12 Supporting witness

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 Supporting witness

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

Colossians 4:6 Supporting witness

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 1:10 Supporting witness

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Acts 2:42 Supporting witness

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...ontinued in his excesses, distancing her through his behavior. She considered it wicked to continue living as a wife with a husband who sought pleasure in ways contrary to natural and moral law and wanted a divorce. Though persuaded by friends to stay with him, believing he might change, she eventually gave up her own feelings and remained. But when her husband went to Alexandria and was reported to be acting worse, she, to avoid becoming a participant in his wickedness through marriage, gave him a bill of divorce and separated from him. However, her husband, instead of rejoicing that she had given up actions she once did with servants 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

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

and ye taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by discretion.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so

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

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...tized from You, You punished. And while You accepted the sacrifice of Abel, Genesis 4, as that of a holy person, You rejected the gift of Cain, the murderer of his brother, as that of an abhorrent wretch. Besides these, You accepted Seth and Enos, Sirach 49:16, and translated Enoch. For You are the Creator of men, the giver of life, the supplier of what is lacking, the giver of laws, the rewarder of those who keep them, and the avenger of those who transgress them. You brought the great flood upon the world because of the multitude of the ungodly, and delivered righteous Noah from that flood by an ark, 1 Peter 3:20, with eight souls, the end of the former generations and the beginning of those who were to come. You kindled a fearful fire against the five cities of Sodom, and turned a fruitful land into a salt lake because of the wickedness of those who lived in it, but snatched holy Lot out of the fire. You are He who delivered Abraham from the impiety of his forefathers, appointed him to be the heir of the world, and revealed Your Christ to him; who beforehand ordained Melchizedek as a high priest for Your worship; who made Your patient servant Job the conqueror of that serpent

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"

Deuteronomy 28:9 Direct teaching

The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

Deuteronomy 5:33 Supporting witness

according to all the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in it, that he may give thee rest; and that it may be well with thee, and ye may prolong your days on the land which ye shall inherit.

Deuteronomy 6:25 Supporting witness

And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Deuteronomy 26:17 Supporting witness

Thou hast chosen God this day to be thy God, and to walk in all his ways, and to observe his ordinances and judgments, and to hearken to his voice.

Tertullian, On Patience Direct teaching

...much more should we be found with a character that agrees with our Lord. For we are servants of the living God. His judgment on His servants does not concern chains or a cap that marks freedom, but an eternity either of punishment or of salvation. To escape that severity or to seek that generosity, we need diligence in obedience as great as the threats spoken by that severity, or the promises freely made by that generosity. And yet we demand obedience not only from men, who bear the yoke of slavery under their chin, or who in some other legal way owe obedience, but even from cattle, even from brute beasts. For we understand that the Lord has provided and handed them over for our use. Shall the creatures God has made subject to us, then, be better than we are in the discipline of obedience? In the end, the creatures that obey acknowledge their masters. Do we hesitate to listen carefully to Him alone, to whom we are subject, that is, the Lord? But how unjust it is, and how ungrateful as well, not to repay from yourself the same thing which, through your neighbor's kindness, you receive from others, to Him through whom you receive it. Nor is there any need for more words to show th

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...ed and divine power of governing the Church. Nor can we continue any longer, or even now in fact be Christians, if it has come to this: that we are afraid of the threats or traps of outcasts. For Gentiles and Jews both threaten, and heretics, and all those whose hearts and minds the devil has possessed, daily show their poisonous madness with raging voices. Therefore we must not give way because they threaten. Nor is the adversary and enemy greater than Christ because he claims and takes so much for himself in the world. There ought to remain in us, dearest brother, an unshakable strength of faith. And against all the rushes and assaults of the waves roaring against us, a firm and steady courage should stand planted like the strength and mass of a resisting rock. And it does not matter from where the terror or danger comes to a bishop, who lives under terrors and dangers and is nevertheless made glorious by those very terrors and dangers. For we ought not to think only about the threats of Gentiles or Jews, when we see that the Lord Himself was deserted by His brothers and was betrayed by the one whom He Himself had chosen from among His apostles. We also see that at the beginni

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...ed in baptism may continue in what we have begun to be. And we pray for this every day, for we need daily sanctification, so that we who fall away daily may wash away our sins by continual sanctification. And the apostle declares what this sanctification is that is given to us by God's condescension, when he says, “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor those who abuse themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor deceivers, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such indeed were you; but you are washed; but you are justified; but you are sanctified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9. He says that we are sanctified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. We pray that this sanctification may remain in us. And because our Lord and Judge warns the man who was healed and given life by Him to sin no more, lest something worse happen to him, we make this request in our constant prayers. We ask this day and night, that the sanctification and life-giving power received from the grace of God may be kept safe by His protection.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Now the Father wishes us to be perfect by living blamelessly, according to the obedience of the Gospel.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...ommands for life ought to remove every kind of excuse, so that he may place on men the necessity of obedience, not by force, but by shame, and yet still leave them freedom. Then a reward may be appointed for those who obey, because it was in their power not to obey if they wished; and punishment for those who do not obey, because it was in their power to obey if they wished. How then can excuse be removed unless the teacher practices what he teaches, and, as it were, goes before and holds out his hand to the one who is about to follow? But how can anyone practice what he teaches unless he is like the one whom he teaches? For if he is subject to no passion, a man may answer his teacher like this: It is my wish not to sin, but I am overcome, for I am clothed with frail and weak flesh. It is this flesh that desires, that becomes angry, that fears pain and death. And so I am carried along against my will, and I sin not because I want to, but because I am forced. I myself know that I sin, but the necessity laid on me by my weakness, which I cannot resist, drives me on. What will that teacher of righteousness say in reply to these things? How will he refute and convict a man who claim

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

But if discipline is frequently prescribed everywhere in Holy Scripture, and the whole foundation of religion and faith comes from obedience and fear, what is more fitting for us to earnestly desire? What should we want more, and hold more firmly, than to stand with deep roots, and with our houses founded in a solid mass on the rock, unshaken by the storms and whirlwinds of the world, so that through the divine commands we may come to God's rewards? We should also consider and know that our bodies, after being cleansed from all the filth of the old corruption by the sanctification of the life-giving washing, are God's temples. They must not be violated or polluted, since the one who does violence to them injures himself. We are the worshippers and priests of those temples. Let us obey Him whose people we have already begun to be. Paul tells us in his epistles, in which he has shaped our way of life by divine teaching, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a great price; glorify and bear God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:14 Let us glorify and bear God in a pure and chaste body, and with more complete obedience. And since we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, let u

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

Moreover, the prophets clearly indicate that God did not need their slavish obedience, but that certain observances in the law were commanded for their own benefit. Similarly, God did not need their offerings, but required them for the sake of the people who offered them, as the Lord distinctly taught. When He saw them neglecting righteousness and the love of God, and thinking that God could be appeased by sacrifices and other rituals, Samuel spoke to them: “God does not desire burnt offerings and sacrifices, but He wants His voice to be heard. Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams.” David also says: “You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but you opened my ears; burnt offerings for sin You did not require.” He thus teaches them that God desires obedience, which keeps them secure, rather than sacrifices, which do nothing for righteousness; and he also prophesies the new covenant at the same time. He speaks even more clearly in Psalm 50: “For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it: You do not delight in burnt offerings. The true sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not desp

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...l and leads to death. Since God gave humans such mental power, they can understand both the good of obedience and the evil of disobedience. This allows the mind, through experience, to wisely choose better things, ensuring that they are never lazy or neglectful of God's command. Learning that disobedience to God, which deprives them of life, is evil, they should avoid it completely. Understanding that what preserves life is obedience to God, they should diligently follow it with earnestness. Humans, therefore, have twofold experiences: knowing both kinds of actions, they can choose better paths with discipline. Without knowledge of the opposite, how could they understand what is good? A clear and definite understanding of what is presented is better than mere opinion. Just like tasting helps the tongue distinguish sweet from bitter, vision helps the eyes distinguish black from white, and hearing helps the ear recognize different sounds, the mind uses the experience of both good and evil to firmly hold on to what is good through obedience to God. First, by repenting and rejecting disobedience as something unpleasant and distasteful, and then by realizing its true nature—its oppos