Early Christian Beliefs About Penance

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...mercy of the Lord, that it is great and glorious, and that He has given His Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance." "Then why, sir," I said, "did not all these repent?" He answered, "To those whose heart He saw would become pure and obedient to Him, He gave power to repent with the whole heart. But to those whose deceit and wickedness He perceived, and saw that they intended to repent hypocritically, He did not grant repentance, lest they should again profane His name." I said to him, "Sir, show me now, concerning those who gave in the branches, what sort they are, and what their dwelling place is, so that those hearing it who believed, and received the seal, and broke it, and did not keep it whole, may, on coming to know their deeds, repent, and receive a seal from you, and may glorify the Lord because He had compassion on them and sent you to renew their spirits." "Listen," he said. "Those whose branches were found withered and moth-eaten are the apostates and traitors of the Church, who have blasphemed the Lord in their sins, and have also been ashamed of the name of the Lord by which they were called. These, therefore, in the end were lost to God. And you see that not

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

But I am amazed that some are so stubborn that they think repentance should not be granted to the lapsed, or that pardon should be denied to those who repent, when it is written, “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works,” Revelation 2:5. This is clearly said to someone who has plainly fallen, and whom the Lord urges to rise again by his works, because it is written, “Alms do deliver from death,” Tobit 4:10. This certainly does not mean from that death which the blood of Christ once destroyed, and from which the saving grace of baptism and of our Redeemer has delivered us, but from that death which afterward creeps in through sins. Also, in another place, time is given for repentance, and the Lord threatens the one who does not repent: “I have,” He says, “many things against you, because you allow your wife Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols; and I gave her time to repent, and she will not repent of her fornication. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds,” Re

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...e to the path of unrighteousness. For it is possible for him to be brought back and set free, if he repents of what he has done and, turning to better things, makes satisfaction to God. Cicero, indeed, thought this was impossible. In the third book of the Academics, he says: "But if, as in the case of those who have gone astray on a journey, those who have followed a wandering path were allowed to correct their error by repentance, rashness would be more easily corrected." But it is completely allowed. For if we think our children are corrected when we see that they repent of their faults, and even though we have disinherited them and cast them off, we receive them again, cherish them, and embrace them, why should we despair that the mercy of God our Father can also be appeased again by repentance? Therefore, He who is both Lord and a most gentle Father promises that He will forgive the sins of those who repent, and that He will blot out all the iniquities of the man who begins again to practice righteousness. For just as the uprightness of his past life is of no help to the man who lives badly, because his later wickedness has destroyed his works of righteousness, so also forme

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

So, the person who has received forgiveness of sins ought not to sin anymore. For besides the first and only repentance from sins, which is from the sins of the former life, the first pagan life, that is, sins done in ignorance, there is also immediately set before those who have been called a repentance that cleanses the seat of the soul from transgressions, so that faith may be firmly established. And the Lord, knowing the heart and foreknowing the future, saw beforehand both the weakness of man and the craft and cunning of the devil from the beginning. He saw how the devil, envying man because of the forgiveness of sins, would bring certain causes of sins before the servants of God, skillfully working harm so that they might fall along with him. Therefore, since He is very merciful, He has granted, in the case of those who, though in faith, fall into some transgression, a second repentance. So if anyone is tempted after being called, and is overcome by force and deceit, he may still receive a repentance that is not to be regretted. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expect

Tertullian, On Modesty Direct teaching

...ately offers Him to me, together with the laver and the duty of repentance, as saying, "Bear worthy fruits of repentance; and do not say, 'We have Abraham as our father,'" lest they should again take flattering unctions for wrongdoing from the grace shown to the fathers. "For God is able from these stones to raise sons to Abraham." Thus it follows that we too must judge those who sin no more as bearing worthy fruits of repentance. For what ripens more as the fruit of repentance than the achievement of amendment? But even if pardon is rather the fruit of repentance, even pardon cannot exist without ceasing from sin. So the cessation from sin is the root of pardon, so that pardon may be the fruit of repentance.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...r life. This new birth consists in repenting by not falling into the same fault again. For repeated repentance, and an easy readiness to change because of lack of training, is really the practice of sinning again. So, asking forgiveness again and again for the things in which we often sin is only the appearance of repentance, not repentance itself. But, as Scripture says, “The righteousness of the blameless cuts straight paths,” Proverbs 11:5. And again, “The righteousness of the innocent will make his way right,” Proverbs 13:6. No, “as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” David writes, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy,” that is, those who confess with repentance. For “blessed are all those who fear the Lord.” You see the matching blessing in the Gospel. “Do not fear when a man becomes rich, and when the glory of his house increases. Because when he dies he will leave it all, and his glory will not go down after him.” But I, “in Your mercy will enter into Your house. I will worship toward Your holy temple, in Your fear. Lord, lead me in Your righteousness.” Appetite, then, is the movement of the mind toward or away from something. Passio

Luke 3:8 Direct teaching

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Acts 26:20 Direct teaching

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Joel 2:13 Direct teaching

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

2 Corinthians 7:9 Supporting witness

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.

James 5:20 Supporting witness

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Supporting witness

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

Balsamon. These canons deal with those who, during the persecution, denied the faith and are doing penance. The first canon orders that those who, after many tortures, sacrificed to the gods because they were too weak to endure, and who have spent three years in penitence, should be given another forty days. Then they should be admitted into the Church. Pay attention to these canons. They set out various useful rules for those who have denied their God and are seeking repentance, and for those who willingly sought martyrdom and fell away, and then confessed the faith again, and for other similar matters. Also consult many canons of the Council of Ancyra, because that will be helpful to you.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Therefore, O bishop, judge with authority like God, yet receive those who repent, for God is a God of mercy. Rebuke those who sin. Warn those who have not turned back. Encourage those who stand firm to continue in their goodness. Receive those who repent, for the Lord God has promised with an oath to grant forgiveness to those who repent for the wrong things they have done. For He says through Ezekiel: "Speak to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord, 'I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that the wicked turn from his evil way and live. Therefore turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?'" Ezekiel 33:11. Here the word gives hope to sinners, so that if they repent, they will have hope of salvation. Otherwise, out of despair, they might give themselves over to their transgressions. But having hope of salvation, they may be converted, and may pray to God with tears because of their sins, and may repent from their hearts, and so calm His displeasure toward them. Then they will receive pardon from Him, as from a merciful Father.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

... its work. They work hard to keep God's mercy from healing the wounded in His Church. They ruin the repentance of these miserable men by the deceit of their lies, so that it may not satisfy an offended God. Thus, the man who had once been ashamed or afraid to be a Christian may not afterward seek Christ his Lord, and the one who had left the Church may not return to the Church. They make every effort to keep sins from being atoned for by just acts of satisfaction and mourning, and to keep wounds from being washed away by tears. True peace is destroyed by the falsehood of a false peace. The healing bosom of a mother is shut by the interference of a stepmother, so that weeping and groaning may not be heard from the heart and from the lips of the fallen. And beyond this, in the Capitol, where they had sinned before, the fallen are forced with their tongues and lips to speak against the priests, to attack the confessors and virgins with insults and abusive words, and also those righteous men who are most outstanding in the praise of the faith and most glorious in the Church. By these things, it is really not the modesty, humility, and shame of our people that are struck, but their o

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

... should receive these things in due order. For in lesser sins, which are not committed against God, repentance may be completed in a set period of time, and confession may be made after an examination of the life of the one doing repentance. And no one can come to communion unless the hands of the bishop and clergy are first laid on him. How much more, then, should all matters like these be handled with caution and moderation, according to the discipline of the Lord, in these most serious and extreme sins! Indeed, our presbyters and deacons should have given you this warning, so that they might care for the sheep entrusted to them, and by divine authority instruct them in the way of obtaining salvation through prayer. I am aware of both the peacefulness and the fear of our people. They would have been careful in making satisfaction and in pleading against God's anger, unless some of the presbyters, by trying to please them, had deceived them.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...become useless to their Lord because they have taken on savage habits. Therefore, these people have repentance in their power, unless they are found to have denied from the heart. But if anyone is found to have denied from the heart, I do not know whether he can live. And I say this not about these present days, as if anyone who has denied now may receive repentance, for it is impossible for someone to be saved who now intends to deny his Lord. But for those who denied Him long ago, repentance seems to be possible. If, therefore, anyone intends to repent, let him do so quickly, before the tower is completed. For if not, he will be completely destroyed by the women. And the chipped stones are the deceitful and the slanderers. And the wild beasts that you saw on the ninth mountain are the same. For just as wild beasts destroy and kill a person by their poison, so also the words of such people destroy and ruin a person. Accordingly, these are crippled in their faith because of the deeds they have done in themselves. Yet some repented and were saved. And the rest, who are like this, can be saved if they repent. But if they do not repent, they will perish with those women, whose powe

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

... of being an apostle and preacher of the word. And Zacchaeus, whom the Lord received because of his repentance and his prayers to Him, was also at first a tax collector in the same way. Besides this, even the soldiers and the crowd of tax collectors who came to hear the Lord's word about repentance heard this from the prophet John after he had baptized them: "Do nothing more than what is appointed for you." Luke 3:13 In the same way, life is not denied to the Gentiles if they repent and cast away their unbelief. Therefore, regard everyone who is convicted of any wicked action and has not repented as a tax collector or a Gentile. But if he afterward repents and turns from his error, then, just as we receive the Gentiles, when they wish to repent, into the Church indeed to hear the word, but do not receive them to communion until they have received the seal of baptism and are made complete Christians, so we also permit such people to enter only to hear, until they show the fruit of repentance. This is so that by hearing the word they may not utterly and beyond recovery perish. But let them not be admitted to communion in prayer, and let them leave after the reading of the law, the

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...ed at least had their dwelling in the tower. But some of them later fell away. These, then, have no repentance, because on account of their business they blasphemed the Lord and denied Him. Therefore they lost their lives through the wickedness they committed. And many of them doubted. These still have repentance within their power, if they repent quickly, and their home will be in the tower. But if they are slower to repent, they will dwell within the walls. And if they do not repent, they too have lost their lives. And those who handed in their branches with two-thirds withered and one-third green are the people who have denied the Lord in various ways. Many, however, repented, but some of them hesitated and were in doubt. These, then, have repentance within their reach, if they repent quickly and do not remain in their pleasures. But if they continue in their deeds, these too bring death on themselves.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...y sins and put out of the way. He must free it from its offenses and give hope. In this way he must restore it in strength to the Church, bringing it back into the flock. Bring back what has been driven away. That is, do not allow the one who remains in sins and has been cast out as punishment to stay excluded. Instead, receive that one, bring him back, and restore him to the flock, that is, to the people of the undefiled Church. Seek what is lost. That is, do not allow the one who has despaired of salvation because of the great number of offenses to perish completely. Search for the one who has grown sleepy, drowsy, and sluggish, and who is careless about his own life because of the depth of his sleep, and who is far from his own flock, so that he is in danger of falling among the wolves and being devoured by them. Bring him back by admonition. Urge him to be watchful, and plant hope in him. Do not allow him to say what some have said: “Our impieties are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then shall we live?” Therefore, as much as possible, let the bishop make the offense his own, and say to the sinner, “Only return, and I will undertake to suffer death for you, as our Lord

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...s and teachers of wickedness. These, accordingly, are like the former, because they do not have any fruits of righteousness. For just as their mountain was without fruit, so also these people do have a name, but they are empty of faith, and there is no fruit of truth in them. They do have repentance in their power, if they repent quickly. But if they are slow to do so, they will die along with the former. "Why, sir," I said, "do these have repentance, but the former do not? For their actions are nearly the same." He said, "For this reason these have repentance: they did not blaspheme their Lord or become betrayers of the servants of God. But because of their desire for possessions, they became hypocritical, and each one taught according to the desires of sinful people. But they will suffer a certain punishment, and repentance is before them, because they were not blasphemers or traitors."

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.

Acts 3:19 Direct teaching

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Luke 22:32 Supporting witness

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching

But as for those who think that confession was not appointed to be made here—that is, not in this earthly setting, not during this present life, and not before men who share this same nature with all of us—what a strange idea that is. It goes against the whole order of things as we know them in this world, in this life, and under human rulers. No doubt, according to them, after souls leave their bodies and begin to be examined in the different levels of the heavens, with regard to the commitment under which they came to Jesus, and to be questioned about those hidden mysteries of the heretics, they must then make confession before the true powers and the true men. That means, of course, the Teleti, the Abascanti, and the Acineti of Valentinus. For they say that even the Demiurge himself did not always approve of the men of our world. He counted them as "a drop of a bucket," Isaiah 40:15, and as the dust of the threshing floor, and as spit and locusts, and even placed them on the same level as brute beasts. Certainly, that is what is written. Yet we should not therefore think that, besides us, there is another kind of man. In the view they propose, that other kind would somehow have

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...sage, Heracleon, the most distinguished of the school of Valentinians, says plainly that there is a confession by faith and conduct, and one with the voice. The confession that is made with the voice, and before the authorities, is what most people count as the only confession. This is not sound. Hypocrites also can confess with this confession. But neither will this saying be found to be spoken universally. For all the saved have confessed with the confession made by the voice, and departed. Of these are Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, and many others. And confession by the lip is not universal, but partial. But what He now specifies is universal: that which is by deeds and actions corresponding to faith in Him. This confession is followed by that which is partial, that before the authorities, if necessary, and if reason directs. For he will rightly confess with his voice who has first confessed by his disposition. And with regard to those who confess, he has rightly used the words “in Me,” and for those who deny, the word “Me.” For those, though they confess Him with the voice, yet deny Him, since they do not confess Him in their conduct. But those alone confess “in Him” who li

James 5:16 Direct teaching

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Psalms 32:5 Direct teaching

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Numbers 5:7 Background

then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.

1 John 1:9 Direct teaching

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 3:6 Direct teaching

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Psalms 38:18 Supporting witness

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

Acts 19:18 Direct teaching

And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...ho keeps these words from our brothers deceives those miserable people, so that those who, by truly repenting, might satisfy God, both as Father and as merciful, by their prayers and works, are misled more deeply to their destruction; and those who might have raised themselves up fall more deeply. For although, in lesser sins, sinners may do penance for a set time, and according to the rules of discipline come to public confession, and by the laying on of the hands of the bishop and clergy receive the right of communion, now, before their time is fulfilled, while persecution is still raging, while the peace of the Church itself is not yet restored, they are admitted to communion, and their name is presented. While the penitence has not yet been completed, confession has not yet been made, and the hands of the bishop and clergy have not yet been laid on them, the Eucharist is given to them, although it is written, "Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord," 1 Corinthians 11:27.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

...ve not been able to perfect what is good. Observe, then, that not even confession for Christ's sake restores the one who has once lapsed and thus become an alien from his clerical office.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Direct teaching

...d shall not harm him from the day when he has been converted, Ezekiel 33:12, he would long ago have repented in ashes. Yet he is always opposed to penitents. He works more readily to destroy things that are built and standing than to build up those that are fallen. Once again he has made heathens out of many of our most miserable brothers, terrifying them with his false objections by saying that the repentance of the lapsed is useless and cannot help them toward salvation, although Scripture cries out and says, “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent, or else I will come to you unless you repent,” Revelation 2:5. And indeed, when it wrote to the seven churches, rebuking each one for its own crimes and sins, it said, “Repent.” To whom else, without doubt, was He speaking but to those whom He had redeemed at the great price of His blood?

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...e to the faithful." Titus 2:7 Therefore it follows that those who, while contending in prison, have fallen from their ministry and have taken up the struggle again, are plainly lacking in perception. For how else is it that they seek that which they have left, when at this present time they can be useful to the brothers? For as long as they remained firm and stable, indulgence was accorded them for what they had done contrary to reason. But when they lapsed, having carried themselves with ostentation and brought reproach upon themselves, they can no longer discharge their sacred ministry. Therefore, let them rather take heed to pass their life in humility, ceasing from vainglory. For communion is sufficient for them. It is granted to them with diligence and care for two causes: both that they should not seem to be afflicted with sorrow, and so by violence seize on their departure from this world; and also lest any of the lapsed should have a pretext for being remiss because of the punishment. And these indeed will reap more shame and ignominy than all others, like the man who laid the foundation and was not able to finish it. For, He says, "all that pass by will begin to mock hi

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

... the kingdom of heaven. And so that no one might think they should not be received because they had lapsed, he brings forward the testimony of Scripture that the just man falls seven times, that is, often, and rises again. And, he says, if all who had failed in their confession had done this, namely, taken up their struggle again and confessed before the tyrant that they were Christians, they would have shown a most complete repentance. Therefore, the subject covered in this canon is different from that in the first canon. There, those who had lapsed because of torture were not converted in such a way as to confess the faith before the tyrants. But here, those who have lapsed because of torture confess the Lord before the tyrants with a worthy repentance. Therefore they are counted as not having fallen.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

... same lapsed people, rebukes you when He says, "Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; because if I have fallen, I shall also rise again. And if I walk in darkness, the Lord is my light. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He justifies my cause, and executes judgment and justice, and brings me forth to the light. I shall behold His righteousness; and she who is my enemy shall see me and shall cover herself with confusion," Micah 7:8-10.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

who has once more made heathens of many most wretched brethren of ours, terrified by his false oppositions, by saying that the repentance of the lapsed is vain, and cannot avail them for salvation, although the Scripture cries aloud and says, Remember whence you have fallen, and repent, or else I will come to you unless you repent.