Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version)

Now, He suffered all these things for us; and He suffered them truly, and not in appearance only, just as He really rose again. But not, as some of the unbelievers, who are ashamed of the formation of man, and the cross, and death itself, claim, that in appearance only, and not in truth, He took a body of the Virgin, and suffered only in appearance, forgetting, as they do, Him who said, “The Word was made flesh;” and again, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up;” and once more, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Me.” The Word therefore did dwell in flesh, for “Wisdom built herself a house.” The Word raised up again His own temple on the third day, when it had been destroyed by the Jews fighting against Christ. The Word, when His flesh was lifted up, like the bronze serpent in the wilderness, drew all men to Himself for their eternal salvation.