Early Christian Beliefs About the Faith

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

If, then, these things are so, it is in the same degree manifest that all doctrine which agrees with the apostolic churches— those moulds and original sources of the faith must be reckoned for truth, as undoubtedly containing that which the (said) churches received from the apostles, the apostles from Christ, Christ from God.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

Now, faith has been deposited in the rule;

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

Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper, both in the flesh and spirit, in faith and love, with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who are according to God.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

Accordingly this faith becomes sure demonstration; since truth follows what has been delivered by God.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

8. True knowledge is [that which consists in] the doctrine of the apostles, and the ancient constitution of the Church throughout all the world, and the distinctive manifestation of the body of Christ according to the successions of the bishops, by which they have handed down that Church which exists in every place, and has come even unto us, being guarded and preserved without any forging of Scriptures, by a very complete system of doctrine, and neither receiving addition nor [suffering] curtailment [in the truths which she believes];

Jude 1:3 Direct teaching

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1 Timothy 6:3 Supporting witness

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Colossians 1:23 Direct teaching

Through your prayers; in contrast to their error, be ye stedfast in the faith concerning Christ, with minds unmoved.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Direct teaching

but if we follow the truth, and aim at the exact rule of faith, we shall be well-pleasing to God.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

For the life of Christians, in which we are now trained, is a system of reasonable actions — that is, of those things taught by the Word — an unfailing energy which we have called faith.

Colossians 1:23 Direct teaching

if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Hebrews 10:23 Direct teaching

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

2 Timothy 1:13 Supporting witness

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 Supporting witness

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 10:17 Supporting witness

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Ephesians 4:5 Direct teaching

and one Comforter, the Spirit of truth; and also one preaching, and one faith, and one baptism; and one Church which the holy apostles established from one end of the earth to the other by the blood of Christ, and by their own sweat and toil;

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching

Novatian, with the View of Treating of the Trinity, Sets Forth from the Rule of Faith that We Should First of All Believe in God the Father and Lord Omnipotent, the Absolute Founder of All Things.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, On the Trinity Supporting witness

This is the perfect, holy, Apostolic faith of the holy God.

Tertullian, Against Praxeas Supporting witness

Bear always in mind that this is the rule of faith which I profess;

Ephesians 4:5 Direct teaching

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

...esult. But both have reference to the same thing, and one and the same person is concerned in both. Faith, so to speak, is the attempt produced in time. The final result is the attainment of the promise, secured for eternity. Now the Lord Himself has most clearly revealed the equality of salvation when He said, "For this is 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 i

Tertullian, On the Veiling of Virgins Direct teaching

The rule of faith, indeed, is altogether one, alone immoveable and irreformable;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...hey may be reformed and live better lives. He must watch over the strong, that is, keep firm in the faith the one who is already strong. He must feed the people peaceably. He must strengthen the weak, that is, confirm by exhortation the one who is being tempted. He must heal what is sick, that is, cure by instruction the one who is weak in the faith because of doubt. He must bind up what is broken, that is, bind up with comforting admonitions the one who has gone astray, or has been wounded, bruised, or broken by 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 be

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...strictness of the Gospel has not so completely failed in the Church of God, nor has the strength of Christian virtue and faith grown so weak, that no group of priests remains who do not give way at all under these ruins of the age and these wrecks of faith. Instead, bold and steadfast, they uphold the honor of the divine majesty and the dignity of the priesthood, with full watchfulness in fear. We remember and keep in mind that, although others fell and gave way, Mattathias boldly defended God's law; that Elijah, when the Jews gave way and turned aside from the divine religion, stood firm and fought nobly; that Daniel, held back neither by the isolation of a foreign land nor by the attacks of continual persecution, repeatedly and gloriously suffered martyrdoms; and also that the three young men, overcome neither by their youth nor by threats, stood faithfully against the fires of Babylon, and conquered the victorious king even in their captivity itself. Let those who are faithless or traitors take care, those who have now begun to rise up in the Church against the Church, and to corrupt both the faith and the truth. Among very many, there still remains a sincere mind, a firm rel

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

... disposition and diligence, though plainly with His help, it is not necessary that every one of the faithful should cast out demons, or raise the dead, or speak with tongues. Only the person who is granted this gift does so, for some reason that may help the salvation of unbelievers, who are often put to shame, not by worldly demonstration, but by the power of signs. That is, those who are worthy of salvation. For not all the ungodly are moved by wonders. God Himself is witness to this, when He says in the law, “With other tongues I will speak to this people, and with other lips, and yet they will by no means believe,” Isaiah 28:11; 1 Corinthians 14:21. For the Egyptians did not believe in God, though Moses had done so many signs and wonders. Nor did the multitude of the Jews believe in Christ as they believed Moses, even though He had healed every sickness and every disease among them. The former were not shamed by the rod turned into a living serpent, nor by the hand made white with leprosy, nor by the river Nile turned into blood. Nor were the latter shamed by the blind receiving sight, nor by the lame walking, nor by the dead being raised. The one was opposed by Jannes and J

1 Timothy 4:6 Direct teaching

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

Titus 1:9 Direct teaching

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 1:13 Direct teaching

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Titus 2:1 Supporting witness

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

...tempt? But even if they manage to invent such a thing, they will gain nothing by it. For when their doctrine is compared with the doctrine of the apostles, its very difference and opposition will show by itself that its author was neither an apostle nor an apostolic man. As the apostles would never have taught things that contradicted each other, so apostolic men would not have taught something different from the apostles, unless those who received instruction from the apostles went out and preached the opposite. Therefore, they will be tested by this standard and judged by those churches which, although they do not trace their founder back to apostles or apostolic men, because they are much later in date and in fact are still being founded daily, are nevertheless counted as no less apostolic because they agree in the same faith and are related in doctrine. Then let all the heresies, when they are challenged by our apostolic church on these two tests, offer proof for how they consider themselves apostolic. But in truth they are not apostolic, nor are they able to prove themselves to be what they are not. Nor are they allowed peaceful relations and communion by those churches tha

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...e the teaching of the New Testament. In the things he has said, some points do seem to fit with our faith. But he has also made certain claims that seem very far from what has been handed down to us by the tradition of our fathers. He has explained some teachings in a strange way, adding ideas of his own to them. These ideas have seemed to me completely foreign to the faith and opposed to it. Because of this, I have been led to write this letter to you. I know how complete and full your understanding is in doctrine, and I am sure that none of these things can escape your notice. So I have confidently hoped that no resentment will keep you from explaining these matters to us. As for me, I cannot be drawn away into any new teaching. Nevertheless, for the sake of those who are less instructed, I have been led to ask for a word from your authority. For truly, the man shows himself to be a person of extraordinary strength of character, both in speech and in action. Even his appearance and clothing support that impression. I will write down here, for your information, a few points that I have been able to keep in my memory from all the subjects he has explained. For I know that even f

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...ame to me some days ago and tried to introduce a new kind of knowledge here, different from what is apostolic and ecclesiastical, has also come to you. I gave no place to that person. For when we held a disputation together, he was confuted. I would now like to copy out for your benefit all the arguments I used on that occasion, so that by them you might understand what that man's faith is. But that could be done only if I had leisure at my disposal. So, because of the present urgency, I have thought it necessary to write you a short reply about what you wrote to me concerning the statements advanced by him. I understand, then, that his chief effort was aimed at proving that the law of Moses is not in agreement with the law of Christ. He tried to base this position on the authority of our Scriptures. But on the contrary, we not only established the law of Moses, and all the things written in it, by the same Scripture, but we also proved that the whole Old Testament agrees with the New Testament and is in perfect harmony with it. They truly form one fabric, just as a person may see one and the same robe made of weft and warp together. For the truth is simply this: just as we can

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

Nay, the very exhortation to avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing, have erred concerning the faith, is enough to show that from the very beginning, when, as Celsus imagines, believers were few in number, there were certain doctrines interpreted in different ways.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching

...cape your religious diligence. This is how we teach. This is how we preach. These are the apostolic doctrines of the Church, for which we also die. We count as little those who would force us to deny them, even if they would compel us by tortures. And we do not cast away our hope in them. By opposing these things, Arius and Achilles, and those with them who are enemies of the truth, have been expelled from the Church, as strangers to our holy doctrine, according to the blessed Paul, who says, "If any man preach any other gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accursed," even if he pretends to be an angel from heaven. Galatians 1:8-9. And also, "If any man teach otherwise, and does not consent to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing." 1 Timothy 6:3-4, and so forth. Therefore, these men who have been anathematized by the brotherhood, let none of you receive, nor accept the things that are spoken or written by them. For these seducers always lie, and they will never speak the truth. They go about the cities, attempting nothing else but this: under the appearance of friendship a

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

...s, my very dear friend, which I presented to you, I have exposed all the heretics and brought their doctrines to light, refuting those who have devised irreligious opinions. I have accomplished this by citing something unique from each of these men's doctrines as they expressed in their writings, as well as using arguments of a more general nature applicable to them all. I have pointed out the truth and shown the teachings of the Church, which the prophets proclaimed (as I have already demonstrated), but which Christ brought to perfection, and the apostles have handed down. The Church, having received these truths and preserving them in their integrity throughout the world, has passed them on to her children. Moreover, having addressed all the questions the heretics propose to us, and having explained the doctrine of the apostles and clearly presented many of the things that were said and done by the Lord in parables, I will endeavor, in this fifth book of the entire work on the exposure and refutation of falsely called knowledge, to provide proofs from the rest of the Lord's doctrine and the apostolic letters. I do this in compliance with your request, as you asked of me (since

1 Timothy 1:19 Supporting witness

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

Hebrews 13:9 Supporting witness

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...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 difficulty. Therefore cleanse your heart from all doubt, and put on faith, because it is strong. Trust God that you will receive from Him all that you ask. And if at any time, after you have asked the Lord, you are slower to receive your request than you expected, do not doubt because you have not quickly received what your soul asked for. For it is always because of some temptation or some sin, unknown to you, that you are slower to receive your request. Therefore do not stop asking for what your soul desires, and you will receive it. But if you grow tired and begin to waver in your request, blame yourself and not Him who does not give to you. Think carefully about this doubting state of mind, for it is wicked and foolish, and it turns many completely away from the faith, even though they may be very strong. For this doubt is the daughter of the devil, and it acts very wickedly

Hermas, Connection to 2 Peter 1:5 Direct teaching

For from Faith arises Self-restraint; from Self-restraint, Simplicity; from Simplicity, Guilelessness; from Guilelessness, Chastity; from Chastity, Intelligence; and from Intelligence, Love.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

You see, then, says he, that, faith is from above — from the Lord — and has great power;

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

for that very fact that we are Christians is the substance of faith and hope.

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Direct teaching

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

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

1 Peter 1:5 Direct teaching

who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Hebrews 11:1 Direct teaching

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 Peter 1:5 Supporting witness

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;