Early Christian Beliefs About Eternity and Eternal Life

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

...the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, should have everlasting life; and I will raise him up in the last day." John 6:40 As far as possible in this world, which is what he means by the last day, and which is preserved until the time when it will end, we believe that we are made perfect. Therefore He says, "He that believes in the Son has everlasting life." John 3:36 If, then, those who have believed have life, what remains beyond the possession of eternal life? Nothing is lacking in faith, since it is perfect and complete in itself. If anything is lacking in it, it is not wholly perfect. But faith is not lame in any respect. Nor after our departure from this world does it make us who have believed, and who have received without distinction the earnest of future good, wait. But having in anticipation grasped by faith what is future, after the resurrection we receive it as present, so that what was spoken may be fulfilled: "Be it according to your faith." Matthew 9:29 And where faith is, there is the promise. And the consummation of the promise is rest. So that in illumination what we receive is knowledge, and the end of knowledge is rest, the

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...ng ignorant of Him who is Emmanuel from the Virgin, they are deprived of His gift, which is eternal life; and not receiving the incorruptible Word, they remain in mortal flesh and are debtors to death, not obtaining the antidote of life. To them, the Word says, referring to His own gift of grace: “I said, You are all sons of the Highest, and gods; but you will die like men.” He undoubtedly speaks these words to those who have not received the gift of adoption and who despise the incarnation of the pure generation of the Word of God, defraud human nature of its elevation to God, and show themselves ungrateful to the Word of God, who became flesh for them. For it was for this purpose that the Word of God became man, and He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, so that man, being joined to the Word and receiving adoption, might become the son of God. For by no other means could we have attained incorruptibility and immortality, unless we had been united to incorruptibility and immortality. But how could we be joined to incorruptibility and immortality, unless incorruptibility and immortality first became what we are, so that the corruptible might be absorbed by incorruptibi

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

Whereas Christians (who have learned that their eternal life consists in knowing the only true God, who is over all, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent;

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

... is understood as the end, telos. And the end of piety is eternal rest in God. And the beginning of eternity is our end. The proper activity of piety completes duty through actions. Therefore, according to sound reasoning, duties consist in actions, not in words. And Christian conduct is the activity of the rational soul, in agreement with correct judgment and a desire for the truth, which reaches its appointed end through the body, the soul's companion and ally. Virtue is a will that agrees with God and Christ in life, rightly directed toward everlasting life. For the life of Christians, in which we are now being trained, is a pattern of reasonable actions, that is, of the things taught by the Word, an unfailing power which we have called faith. This pattern is the commandments of the Lord, which, since they are divine laws and spiritual counsels, have been written for us, being suited for us and for our neighbors. Moreover, they turn back on us, just as a ball rebounds on the one who throws it because of the return blow. Therefore duties are necessary for divine instruction, since they are commanded by God and provided for our salvation. And since, among necessary things, some

Cyprian, Connection to John 3:36 Direct teaching

Also in the same place: "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life: he that is not obedient in word to the Son hath not life; but the wrath of God shall abide upon him."

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...flicted on us, we point out to you the ways of salvation. Believe and live, and rejoice with us for eternity, you who persecute us in tithe. When you have once departed there, there is no longer any place for repentance, and no possibility of making satisfaction. Here life is either lost or saved. Here eternal safety is provided for by the worship of God and the fruits of faith. And let no one be held back from coming to obtain salvation, either by his sins or by his years. For the one who still remains in this world, no repentance is too late. The way to God's mercy stands open, and access is easy for those who seek and grasp the truth. Ask forgiveness for your sins, even if it is at the very end of life and at the setting of the sun of time. And plead with God, who is the one and true God, with confession and the faith that acknowledges Him. Then pardon is granted to the man who confesses, and saving mercy is given from the divine goodness to the believer, and a passage to immortality is opened even in death itself. Christ bestows this grace. He confers on us this gift of His mercy by overcoming death in the trophy of the cross, by redeeming the believer with the price of His

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Immortality is given to the persevering, eternal life is set before them; the Lord promises a kingdom.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...w and the prophets." Further, to the one who asked, "What good thing shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?" He answered, "You know the commandments?" And when the man replied, "Yes," He said, "Do this, and you shall be saved." The love of the Instructor is especially clear in the different commands that bring salvation, so that discovery may be easier through the richness and arrangement of the Scriptures. We have the Ten Commandments given by Moses. By a basic principle, simple and of one kind, they identify sins in a way that leads to salvation: "You shall not commit adultery. You shall not worship idols. You shall not corrupt boys. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother." Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 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.

Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Supporting witness

Therefore, having the hope of eternal life, we despise the things of this life, even to the pleasures of the soul, each of us reckoning her his wife whom he has married according to the laws laid down by us, and that only for the purpose of having children.

Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to Romans 2:7 Direct teaching

To those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek immortality, He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive. But to the unbelieving and despisers, who obey not the truth, but are obedient to unrighteousness, when they shall have been filled with adulteries and fornications, and filthiness, and covetousness, and unlawful idolatries, there shall be anger and wrath, tribulation and anguish, and at the last everlasting fire shall possess such men.

John 5:24 Direct teaching

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Romans 2:7 Direct teaching

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

John 3:36 Direct teaching

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

1 John 5:13 Direct teaching

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

John 6:47 Supporting witness

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

John 3:15 Supporting witness

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

... say these bodies can't receive life. But if the present temporary life, which is so much less than eternal life, can still manage to enliven our mortal bodies, why shouldn't eternal life, which is much more powerful, enliven the flesh, which has already interacted with and been used to sustaining life? For that the flesh can truly share in life is shown by the fact that it is alive; for it lives on as long as it is God’s will for it to do so. It is clear, too, that God has the power to give life to it, since He grants life to us who are alive. And, therefore, since the Lord has the power to infuse life into what He has created, and since the flesh is capable of being made alive, what remains to prevent its sharing in incorruption, which is a blissful and eternal life granted by God?

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

In the same way, then, in which the boon of immortality is God's gift to these who were assuredly produced, will He deign to confer eternal life upon souls also, although fell death seems able to cut them off and blot them out of existence in utter annihilation.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Direct teaching

... of a heavenly birth, the pledge of a promised inheritance, and as it were a kind of handwriting of eternal salvation. He can make us God’s temple, and fit us for His house. He pleads for us before the divine hearing with groanings that cannot be uttered, filling the offices of advocacy and showing the duties of our defense—an inhabitant given for our bodies and an effector of their holiness. Working in us for eternity, He can also raise up our bodies in the resurrection of immortality, accustoming them to be joined in Himself with heavenly power, and to be allied with the divine eternity of the Holy Spirit. For our bodies are trained both in Him and by Him to advance to immortality, by learning to govern themselves with moderation according to His decrees. For this is He who desires against the flesh, because the flesh resists against the Spirit. This is He who restrains insatiable desires, controls immoderate lusts, quenches unlawful fires, conquers reckless impulses, repels drunkenness, checks avarice, drives away luxurious revellings, links love, binds affections together, keeps down sects, orders the rule of truth, overcomes heretics, turns out the wicked, and guards the Go

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

... of a heavenly birth, the pledge of a promised inheritance, and as it were a kind of handwriting of eternal salvation. He can make us God's temple, and fit us for His house. He asks for divine hearing on our behalf with groanings that cannot be uttered, filling the offices of advocacy and showing the duties of our defense—an inhabitant given to dwell in our bodies and an effector of their holiness. Working in us for eternity, He can also bring forth our bodies in the resurrection of immortality, accustoming them to be associated in Himself with heavenly power, and to be allied with the divine eternity of the Holy Spirit. For our bodies are trained both in Him and by Him to advance to immortality, by learning to govern themselves with moderation according to His decrees. For this is He who desires against the flesh, because the flesh resists against the Spirit. This is He who restrains insatiable desires, controls immoderate lusts, quenches unlawful fires, conquers reckless impulses, repels drunkenness, checks avarice, drives away luxurious revellings, joins love, binds together affections, keeps down sects, orders the rule of truth, overcomes heretics, turns out the wicked, and

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

...friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, so that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations," Luke 16:9. For what the Lord there called habitations, the apostle here calls clothing. And what He there calls friends of unrighteousness, the apostle here calls houses dissolved. So then, when the days of our present life fail, those good deeds of kindness that we have gained in this unrighteous life, and in this world which lies in wickedness, 1 John 5:19, will receive our souls. So also, when this perishable life is dissolved, we shall have the habitation that is before the resurrection. That is, our souls shall be with God until we receive the new house that is prepared for us, and that will never fall. Therefore also we groan, not because we want to be unclothed, as to the body, but clothed upon, 2 Corinthians 5:4, by it in the other life. For the house in heaven with which we desire to be clothed is immortality. And when we are clothed with it, every weakness and mortality will be completely swallowed up in it, being consumed by endless life. For we walk by faith, not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7. That is, we still go forward by faith, seeing the th

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

...yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations,” Luke 16:9. For what the Lord there called habitations, the apostle here calls clothing. And what He there calls friends of unrighteousness, the apostle here calls houses dissolved. So then, when the days of our present life come to an end, those good deeds of kindness that we have attained in this unrighteous life, and in this world which lies in wickedness, 1 John 5:19, will receive our souls. So when this perishable life is dissolved, we shall have the habitation that comes before the resurrection. That is, our souls shall be with God until we receive the new house that is prepared for us and will never fall. Therefore we also groan, not because we wish to be unclothed, as to the body, but to be clothed upon, 2 Corinthians 5:4, by it in the other life. For the house in heaven, with which we desire to be clothed, is immortality. When we are clothed with it, every weakness and mortality will be completely swallowed up in it, consumed by endless life. “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5:7. That is, we still go forward by faith, seeing the

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

...Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life," Romans 6:4. But if anyone thinks that the earthy image is the flesh itself, while the heavenly image is some other spiritual body besides the flesh, let him first consider that Christ, the heavenly man, when He appeared, bore the same form of limbs and the same image of flesh as ours. Through this also, He who was not man became man, so that "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive," 1 Corinthians 15:22. For if He bore flesh for any other reason than to set the flesh free and raise it up, why did He bear flesh needlessly, if He intended neither to save it nor to raise it up? But the Son of God does nothing needlessly. He did not, then, take the form of a servant for no purpose, but to raise it up and save it. For He truly was made man, and died, not merely in appearance, but so that He might truly be shown to be the first begotten from the dead, changing the earthy into the heavenly, and the mortal into the immortal. Then, when Paul says that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God," 1 Corinthians 15:50, he is not speaking against the regene

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

...as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life, Romans 6:4. But if anyone thinks that the earthly image is the flesh itself, while the heavenly image is some other spiritual body besides the flesh, let him first consider that Christ, the heavenly man, when He appeared, bore the same form of limbs and the same image of flesh as ours. Through this also, He who was not man became man, so that as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive, 1 Corinthians 15:22. For if He bore flesh for any other reason than to set the flesh free and raise it up, why did He bear flesh needlessly, since He intended neither to save it nor to raise it up? But the Son of God does nothing needlessly. He did not take the form of a servant for no purpose, but to raise it up and save it. For He truly was made man and truly died, not in mere appearance, but so that He might truly be shown to be the first begotten from the dead, changing the earthly into the heavenly, and the mortal into the immortal. Therefore, when Paul says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 15:50, he is not speaking poorly of the reg

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...le flesh, which is subject to death and is oppressed by a certain dominion of death, rising up into life, will put on incorruption and immortality. For then, indeed, death will truly be vanquished when that flesh, which is held down by it, emerges from under its dominion. And again, to the Philippians he says: “But our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus, who will transform the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory, just as He is able according to the working of His own power.” What, then, is this “body of humiliation” that the Lord will transform to conform to “the body of His glory?” Clearly, it is this body made of flesh, which is indeed humbled when it falls into the earth. Its transformation occurs in such a way that, while it is mortal and corruptible, it becomes immortal and incorruptible, not due to its own inherent nature but through the mighty working of the Lord, who can bestow immortality on the mortal and incorruption on the corruptible. Therefore, he says, “that mortality may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has also given us the guarantee of the S

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

But now the life possesses what is dying, in order that death may be swallowed up in victory 1 Corinthians 15:54 by life, and the corruptible may he seen to be the possession of incorruption and immortality, while it becomes unbound and free from death and sin, but the slave and servant of immortality;

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

But now the life possesses what is dying, in order that death may be swallowed up in victory 1 Corinthians 15:54 by life, and the corruptible may he seen to be the possession of incorruption and immortality, while it becomes unbound and free from death and sin, but the slave and servant of immortality;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

Now, what is mortal shall be swallowed up of life, when the flesh is dead no longer, but remains living and incorruptible, hymning the praises of God, who has perfected us for this very thing.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

... your Son may glorify you. For you gave him authority over all flesh, so that he might give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life: that they know you alone as the true God, and Jesus the Messiah, whom you sent. I glorified you on the earth, and I have accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me beside you with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I made your name known to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you. For the words that you gave me I have given to them, and they received them. They truly knew that I came forth from you, and they believed that you sent me. I ask for their sake. I am not asking for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All that is mine is yours, and all that is yours is mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, as we are. When I was with them i

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

By these things, and by many other acts like them that pointed to His glory, it clearly followed that, whatever the Jews thought about Christ, and although they did not believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, even they themselves supposed that such a great one would remain forever without dying, and would hold the kingdom of Israel, and of the whole world, forever, and that it would not be destroyed. For this reason the Jews even dared to seize Him by force and anoint Him for the kingdom, and He had to avoid this. Therefore His disciples also thought that He would give them eternal life in no other way than by first carrying this present life over into eternal life in His own experience. In fact, as they were passing through Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and after three days He will rise again." Mark 9:30. And they were greatly grieved, because, as we have said, they had previously formed a very different idea in their minds and hearts. Again, this too was what the Jews said against Him when He was teaching them about Himself and declaring future things. They said, "We have heard out of the law that Christ r

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

If, indeed, it were only about a lengthened life, such as is at the Creator's disposal, that he inquired and Christ answered, and not about the eternal life, which is at the disposal of Marcion's god, how is he to obtain the eternal one?

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

and therefore His disciples thought that in no other way would He bestow upon them eternal life, except He Himself had first continued this temporal life into that eternal one in His own experience.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

They give promise of eternal life. Hold it meanwhile as your own belief.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

John 5:39 Search the scriptures, in which you rejoice 48 that you have eternal life;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

1. Wherefore also John does appropriately relate that the Lord said to the Jews: “Ye search the Scriptures, in which ye think ye have eternal life;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

For the hope in Him is immortal and eternal life.

1 John 5:11 Direct teaching

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Luke 18:30 Direct teaching

who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”