Sacred Texts
Christianity
Early Church Fathers
Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. VII
Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, and Liturgies
Title Page
Title Page
Introductory Notice
Introductory Notice
Lactantius
Lactantius
Introductory Notice to Lactantius.
The Divine Institutes
Book I. Of the False Worship of the Gods
Preface.—Of what great value the knowledge of the truth is and always has been
Chap. I.—Of religion and wisdom
Chap. II.—That there is a providence in the affairs of men
Chap. III.—Whether the universe is governed by the power of one God or of many
Chap. IV.—That the one God was foretold even by the prophets
Chap. V.—Of the testimonies of poets and philosophers
Chap. VI.—Of divine testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their predictions
Chap. VII.—Concerning the testimonies of Apollo and the gods
Chap. VIII.—That God is without a body, nor does he need difference of sex for procreation
Chap. IX.—Of Hercules and his life and death
Chap. X.—Of the life and actions of Æsculapius, Apollo, Neptune, Mars, Castor and Pollux, Mercury and Bacchus
Chap. XI.—Of the origin, life, reign, name and death of Jupiter, and of Saturn and Uranus
Chap. XII.—That the stoics transfer the figments of the poets to a philosophical system
Chap. XIII.—How vain and trifling are the interpretations of the stoics respecting the gods, and in them concerning the origin of Jupiter, concerning Saturn and Ops
Chap. XIV.—What the sacred history of Euhemerus and Ennius teaches concerning the gods
Chap. XV.—How they who were men obtained the name of gods
Chap. XVI.—By what argument it is proved that those who are distinguished by a difference of sex cannot be gods
Chap. XVII.—Concerning the same opinion of the stoics, and concerning the hardships and disgraceful conduct of the gods
Chap. XVIII.—On the consecration of gods, on account of the benefits which they conferred upon men
Chap. XIX.—That it is impossible for any one to worship the true God together with false deities
Chap. XX.—Of the gods peculiar to the Romans, and their sacred rites
Chap. XXI.—Of certain deities peculiar to barbarians, and their sacred rites; and in like manner concerning the Romans
Chap. XXII.—Who was the author of the vanities before described in Italy among the Romans, and who among other nations
Chap. XXIII.—Of the ages of vain superstitions, and the times at which they commenced
Book II. Of the Origin of Error
Chap. I.—That forgetfulness of reason makes men ignorant of the true God, whom they worship in adversity and despise in prosperity
Chap. II.—What was the first cause of making images; of the true likeness of God, and the true worship of him
Chap. III.—That Cicero and other men of learning erred in not turning away the people from error
Chap. IV.—Of images, and the ornaments of temples, and the contempt in which they are held even by the heathens themselves
Chap. V.—That God only, the creator of all things, is to be worshipped, and not the elements or heavenly bodies; and the opinion of the stoics is refuted, who think that the stars and planets are gods
Chap. VI.—That neither the whole universe nor the elements are God, nor are they possessed of life
Chap. VII.—Of God, and the religious rites of the foolish; of avarice, and the authority of ancestors
Chap. VIII.—Of the use of reason in religion; and of dreams, auguries, oracles, and similar portents
Chap. IX.—Of the devil, the world, God, providence, man, and his wisdom
Chap. X.—Of the world, and its parts, the elements and seasons
Chap. XI.—Of living creatures, of man; Prometheus, Deucalion, the Parcæ
Chap. XII.—That animals were not produced spontaneously, but by a divine arrangement, of which God would have given us the knowledge, if it were advantageous for us to know It
Chap. XIII.—Why man is of two sexes; what is his first death, and what the second and of the fault and punishment of our first parents
Chap. XIV.—Of Noah the inventor of wine, who first had knowledge of the stars, and of the origin of false religions
Chap. XV.—Of the corruption of angels, and the two kinds of demons
Chap. XVI.—That demons have no power over those who are established in the faith
Chap. XVII.—That astrology, soothsaying, and similar arts are the invention of demons
Chap. XVIII.—Of the patience and vengeance of God, the worship of demons, and false religions
Chap. XIX.—Of the worship of images and earthly objects
Chap. XX.—Of philosophy and the truth
Book III. Of the False Wisdom of the Philosophers
Chap. I.—A comparison of the truth with eloquence: why the philosophers did not attain to it. Of the simple style of the scriptures
Chap. II.—Of philosophy, and how vain was its occupation in setting forth the truth
Chap. III.—Of what subjects philosophy consists, and who was the chief founder of the academic sect
Chap. IV.—That knowledge is taken away by Socrates, and conjecture by Zeno
Chap. V.—That the knowledge of many things is necessary
Chap. VI.—Of wisdom, and the academics, and natural philosophy
Chap. VII.—Of moral philosophy, and the chief good
Chap. VIII.—Of the chief good, and the pleasures of the soul and body, and of virtue
Chap. IX.—Of the chief good, and the worship of the true God, and a refutation of Anaxagoras
Chap. X.—It is the peculiar property of man to know and worship God
Chap. XI.—Of religion, wisdom, and the chief good
Chap. XII.—Of the twofold conflict of body and soul; and of desiring virtue on account of eternal life
Chap. XIII.—Of the immortality of the soul, and of wisdom, philosophy, and eloquence
Chap. XIV.—That Lucretius and others have erred, and Cicero himself, in fixing the origin of wisdom
Chap. XV.—The error of Seneca in philosophy, and how the speech of philosophers is at variance with their life
Chap. XVI.—That the philosophers who give good instructions live badly, by the testimony of Cicero; therefore we should not so much devote ourselves to the study of philosophy as to wisdom
Chap. XVII.—He passes from philosophy to the philosophers, beginning with Epicurus; and how he regarded Leucippus and Democritus as authors of error
Chap. XVIII.—The Pythagoreans and Stoics, while they hold the immortality of the soul, foolishly persuade a voluntary death
Chap. XIX.—Cicero and others of the wisest men teach the immortality of the soul, but in an unbelieving manner; and that a good or an evil death must be weighed from the previous life
Chap. XX.—Socrates had more knowledge in philosophy than other men, although in many things he acted foolishly
Chap. XXI.—Of the system of Plato, which would lead to the overthrow of states
Chap. XXII.—Of the precepts of Plato, and censures of the same
Chap. XXIII.—Of the errors of certain philosophers, and of the sun and moon
Chap. XXIV.—Of the antipodes, the heaven, and the stars
Chap. XXV.—Of learning philosophy, and what great qualifications are necessary for its pursuit
Chap. XXVI.—It is divine instruction only which bestows wisdom; and of what efficacy the law of God is
Chap. XXVII.—How little the precepts of philosophers contribute to true wisdom, which you will find in religion only
Chap. XXVIII.—Of true religion and of nature. whether fortune is a goddess, and of philosophy
Chap. XXIX.—Of fortune again, and virtue
Chap. XXX.—The conclusion of the things before spoken; and by what means we must pass from the vanity of the philosophers to true wisdom, and the knowledge of the true god, in which alone are virtue and happiness
Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion
Chap. I.—Of the former religion of men, and how error was spread over every age, and of the seven wise men of Greece
Chap. II.—Where wisdom is to be found; why Pythagoras and Plato did not approach the Jews
Chap. III.—Wisdom and religion cannot be separated: the Lord of nature must necessarily be the Father of every one
Chapter IV.—Of wisdom likewise, and religion, and of the right of father and lord
Chap. V.—The oracles of the prophets must be looked into; and of their times, and the times of the judges and kings
Chap. VI.—Almighty God begat his Son; and the testimonies of the Sibyls and of Trismegistus concerning Him
Chap. VII.—Of the name of Son, and whence he is called Jesus and Christ
Chap. VIII.—Of the birth of Jesus in the spirit and in the flesh: of spirits and the testimonies of prophets
Chap. IX.—Of the Word of God
Chap. X.—Of the advent of Jesus; Of the fortunes of the Jews, and their government, until the passion of the Lord
Chap. XI.—Of the cause of the incarnation of Christ
Chap. XII.—Of the birth of Jesus from the Virgin; of his life, death, and resurrection, and the testimonies of the prophets respecting these things
Chap. XIII.—Of Jesus, God and man; and the testimonies of the prophets concerning him
Chap. XIV.—Of the priesthood of Jesus foretold by the prophets
Chap. XV.—Of the life and miracles of Jesus, and testimonies concerning them
Chap. XVI.—Of the passion of Jesus Christ; that it was foretold
Chap. XVII.—Of the superstitions of the Jews, and their hatred against Jesus
Chap. XVIII.—Of the Lord’s passion, and that it was foretold
Chap. XIX.—Of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; and the predictions of these events
Chap. XX.—Of the departure of Jesus into Galilee after his resurrection; and of the two testaments, the old and the new
Chap. XXI.—Of the ascension of Jesus, and the foretelling of it; and of the preaching and actions of the disciples
Chap. XXII.—Arguments of unbelievers against the incarnation of Jesus
Chap. XXIII.—Of giving precepts, and acting
Chap. XXIV.—The overthrowing of the arguments above urged by way of objection
Chap. XXV.—Of the advent of Jesus in the flesh and spirit, that He might be mediator between God and man
Chap. XXVI.—Of the cross, and other tortures of Jesus, and of the figure of the lamb under the law
Chap. XXVII.—Of the wonders effected by the power of the cross, and of demons
Chap. XXVIII.—Of hope and true religion, and of superstition
Chap. XXIX.—Of the Christian religion, and of the union of Jesus with the Father
Chap. XXX.—Of avoiding heresies and superstitions, and what is the only true Catholic Church
Book V. Of Justice
Chap. I.—Of the non-condemnation of accused persons without a hearing of their cause; from what cause philosophers despised the sacred writings; of the first advocates of the Christian religion
Chap. II.—To what an extent the Christian truth has been assailed by rash men
Chap. III.—Of the truth of the Christian doctrine, and the vanity of its adversaries; and that Christ was not a magician
Chap. IV.—Why this work was published, and again of Tertullian and Cyprian
Chap. V.—there was true justice under Saturnus, but it was banished by Jupiter
Chap. VI.—After the banishment of justice, lust, unjust laws, daring, avarice, ambition, pride, impiety, and other vices reigned
Chap. VII.—Of the coming of Jesus, and its fruit; and of the virtues and vices of that age
Chap. VIII.—Of justice known to all, but not embraced; of the true temple of God, and of His worship, that all vices may be subdued
Chap. IX.—Of the crimes of the wicked, and the torture inflicted on the Christians
Chap. X.—Of false piety, and of false and true religion
Chap XI.—Of the cruelty of the heathens against the Christians
Chap. XII.—Of true virtue; and of the estimation of a good or bad citizen
Chapter XIII.—Of the increase and the punishment of the Christians.
Chap. XIV.—Of the fortitude of the Christians
Chap. XV.—Of folly, wisdom, piety, equity, and justice
Chap. XVI.—Of the duties of the just man, and the equity of Christians
Chap. XVII.—Of the equity, wisdom, and foolishness of Christians
Chap. XVIII.—Of justice, wisdom, and folly
Chap. XIX.—Of virtue and the tortures of Christians, and of the right of a father and master
Chap. XX.—Of the vanity and crimes, impious superstitions, and of the tortures of the Christians
Chap. XXI.—Of the worship of other gods and the true God, and of the animals which the Egyptians worshipped
Chap. XXII.—Of the rage of the demons against Christians, and the error of unbelievers
Chap. XXIII.—Of the justice and patience of the Christians
Chap. XXIV.—Of the divine vengeance inflicted on the torturers of the Christians
Book VI. Of True Worship
Chap. I.—Of the worship of the true God, and of innocency, and of the worship of false Gods
Chap. II.—Of the worship of false gods and the true God
Chap. III.—Of the ways, and of vices and virtues; and of the rewards of heaven and the punishments of hell
Chap. IV.—Of the ways of life, of pleasures, also of the hardships of Christians
Chap. V.—Of false and true virtue; and of knowledge
Chap. VI.—Of the chief good and virtue, and or knowledge and righteousness
Chap. VII.—Of the Way of Error and of Truth: that It is Single, Narrow, and Steep, and Has God for Its Guide
Chap. VIII.—Of the errors of philosophers, and the variableness of law
Chap. IX.—Of the law and precept of god; of mercy, and the error of the philosophers
Chap. X.—Of religion towards God, and mercy towards men; and of the beginning of the world
Chap. XI.—Of the persons upon whom a benefit is to be conferred
Chap. XII.—Of the kinds of beneficence, and works of mercy
Chap. XIII.—Of repentance, of mercy, and the forgiveness of sins
Chap. XIV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Stoics respecting them; and of virtue, the vices, and mercy
Chap. XV.—Of the affections, and the opinion of the Peripatetics respecting them
Chap. XVI.—Of the affections, and the refutation of the opinion of the Peripatetics concerning them; what is the proper use of the affections, and what is a bad use of them
Chap. XVII.—Of the affections and their use; of patience, and the chief good of Christians
Chap. XVIII.—Of some commands of God, and of patience
Chap. XIX.—Of the affections and their use; and of the three furies
Chap. XX.—Of the senses, and their pleasures in the brutes and in man; and of pleasures of the eyes, and spectacles
Chap. XXI.—Of the pleasures of the ears, and of sacred literature
Chap. XXII.—Of the pleasures of taste and smell
Chap. XXIII.—De tactus voluptate et libidine, atque de matrimonio et continentiâ
Chap. XXIV.—Of repentance, of pardon, and the commands of God
Chap. XXV.—Of sacrifice, and of an offering worthy of God, and of the form of praising God
Book VII. Of a Happy Life
Chap. I.—Of the world, and those who are about to believe, and those who are not; and in this the censure of the faithless
Chap. II.—Of the error of the philosophers, and of the divine wisdom, and of the golden age
Chap. III.—Of nature, and of the world; and a censure of the Stoics and Epicureans
Chap. IV.—That all things were created for some use, even those things which appear evil; on what account man enjoys reason in so frail a body
Chap. V.—Of the creation of man, and of the arrangement of the world, and of the chief good
Chap. VI.—Why the world and man were created. How unprofitable is the worship of false gods
Chap. VII.—Of the variety of philosophers, and their truth
Chap. VIII.—Of the immortality of the soul
Chap. IX.—Of the immortality of the soul, and of virtue
Chap. X.—Of vices and virtues, and of life and death
Chap. XI.—Of the last times, and of the soul and body
Chap. XII.—Of the soul and the body, and of their union and separation and return
Chap. XIII.—Of the soul, and the testimonies concerning its eternity
Chap. XIV.—Of the first and last times of the world
Chap. XV.—Of the devastation of the world and change of the empires
Chap. XVI.—Of the devastation of the world, and its prophetic omens
Chap. XVII.—Of the false prophet, and the hardships of the righteous, and his destruction
Chap. XVIII.—Of the fortunes of the world at the last time, and of the things foretold by the soothsayers
Chap. XIX.—Of the advent of Christ to judgment, and of the overcoming of the false prophet
Chap. XX.—Of the judgment of Christ, of Christians, and of the soul
Chap. XXI.—Of the torments and punishments of souls
Chap. XXII.—Of the error of the poets, and the return of the soul from the lower regions
Chap. XXIII.—Of the resurrection of the soul, and the proofs of this fact
Chap. XXIV.—Of the renewed world
Chap. XXV.—Of the last times, and of the city of Rome
Chap. XXVI.—Of the loosing of the devil, and of the second and greatest judgment
Chap. XXVII.—An encouragement and confirmation of the pious
The Epitome of the Divine Institutes
The Preface.—The plan and purport of the whole Epitome, and of the Institutions
Chap. I.—Of the divine providence
Chap. II.—That there is but one God, and that there cannot be more
Chap. III.—The testimonies of the poets concerning the one God
Chap. IV.—The testimonies of the philosophers to the unity of God
Chap. V.—That the prophetic women—that is, the Sibyls—declare that there is but one God
Chap. VI.—Since God is eternal and immortal, he does not stand in need of sex and succession
Chap. VII.—Of the wicked life and death of Hercules
Chap. VIII.—Of Æsculapius, Apollo, Mars, Castor and Pollux, and of Mercurius and Bacchus
Chap. IX.—Of the disgraceful deeds of the gods
Chap. X.—Of Jupiter, and his licentious life
Chap. XI.—The various emblems under which the poets veiled the turpitude of Jupiter
Chap. XII.—The poets do not invent all those things which relate to the gods
Chap. XIII.—The actions of Jupiter are related from the historian Euhemerus
Chap. XIV.—The actions of Saturnus and Uranus taken from the historians
Chap. XX.—Of the gods peculiar to the Romans
Chap. XXI.—Of the sacred rites of the Roman gods
Chap. XXII.—Of the sacred rites Introduced by Faunus and Numa
Chap. XXIII.—Of the Gods and sacred rites of the barbarians
Chap. XXIV.—Of the origin of sacred rites and superstitions
Chap. XXV.—Of the golden age, of images, and Prometheus, who first fashioned man
Chap. XXVI.—Of the worship of the elements and stars
Chap. XXVII.—Of the creation, sin, and punishment of man; and of angels, both good and bad
Chap. XXVIII.—Of the demons, and their evil practices
Chap. XXIX.—Of the patience and providence of God
Chap. XXX.—Of false wisdom
Chap. XXXI.—Of knowledge and supposition
Chap. XXXII.—Of the sects of philosophers, and their disagreement
Chap. XXXIII.—What is the chief good to be sought in life
Chap. XXXIV.—That men are born to justice
Chap. XXXV.—That immortality is the chief good
Chap. XXXVI.—Of the philosophers,—namely, Epicurus and Pythagoras
Chap. XXXVII.—Of Socrates and his contradiction
Chap. XXXVIII.—Of Plato, whose doctrine approaches more nearly to the truth
Chap. XXXIX.—Of various philosophers, and of the antipodes
Chap. XL.—Of the foolishness of the philosophers
Chap. XLI.—Of true religion and wisdom
Chap. XLII.—Of religious wisdom: the name of Christ known to none, except himself and his father
Chap. XLIII.—Of the name of Jesus Christ, and his twofold nativity
Chap. XLIV.—The twofold nativity of Christ is proved from the prophets
Chap. XLV.—The power and works of Christ are proved from the scriptures
Chap. XLVI.—It is proved from the prophets that the passion and death of Christ had been foretold
Chap. XLVII.—Of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sending of the apostles, and the ascension of the saviour into heaven
Chap. XLVIII.—Of the disinheriting of the Jews, and the adoption of the Gentiles
Chap. XLIX.—That God is one only
Chap. L.—Why God assumed a mortal body, and suffered death
Chap. LI.—Of the death of Christ on the cross
Chap. LII.—The hope of the salvation of men consists in the knowledge of the true God, and of the hatred of the heathens against the Christians
Chap. LIII.—The reasons of the hatred against the Christians are examined and refuted
Chap. LIV.—Of the freedom of religion in the worship of God
Chap. LV.—The heathens charge justice with impiety in following God
Chap. LVI.—Of justice, which is the worship of the true God
Chap. LVII.—Of wisdom and foolishness
Chap. LVIII.—Of the true worship of God, and sacrifice
Chap. LIX.—Of the ways of life, and the first times of the world
Chap. LX.—Of the duties of justice
Chap. LXI.—Of the passions
Chap. LXII.—Of restraining the pleasures of the senses
Chap. LXIII.—That shows are most powerful to corrupt the minds
Chap. LXIV.—The passions are to be subdued, and we must abstain from forbidden things
Chap. LXV.—Precepts about those things which are commanded, and of pity
Chap. LXVI.—Of faith in religion, and of fortitude
Chap. LXVII.—Of repentance, the immortality of the soul, and of providence
Chap. LXVIII.—Of the world, man, and the providence of God
Chap. LXIX.—That the world was made on account of man, and man on account of God
Chap. LXX.—The immortality of the soul is confirmed
Chap. LXXI.—Of the last times
Chap. LXXII.—Of Christ descending from heaven to the general judgment, and of the millenarian reign
Chap. LXXIII.—The hope of safety is in the religion and worship of God
Elucidations
A Treatise on the Anger of God Addressed to Donatus
Chap. I.—Of divine and human wisdom
Chap. II.—Of the truth and its steps, and of God
Chap. III.—Of the good and evil things in human affairs, and of their author
Chap. IV.—Of God and his affections, and the censure of Epicurus
Chap. V.—The opinion of the Stoics concerning God; of His anger and kindness
Chap. VI.—That God is angry
Chap. VII.—Of man, and the brute animals, and religion
Chap. VIII.—Of Religion
Chap. IX.—Of the providence of God, and of opinions opposed to it
Chap. X.—Of the origin of the world, and the nature of affairs, and the providence of God
Chap. XI.—Of God, and that the one God, and by whose providence the world is governed and exists
Chap. XII.—Of religion and the fear of God
Chap. XIII.—Of the advantage and use of the world and of the seasons
Chap. XIV.—Why God made man
Chap. XV.—Whence sins extended to man
Chap. XVI.—Of God, and his anger and affections
Chap. XVII.—Of God, His care and anger
Chap. XVIII.—Of the punishment of faults, that it cannot take place without anger
Chap. XIX.—Of the soul and body, and of providence
Chap. XX.—Of offences, and the mercy of God
Chap. XXI.—Of the anger of God and man
Chap. XXII.—Of sins, and the verses of the Sibyls respecting them recited
Chap. XXIII.—Of the anger of God and the punishment of sins, and a recital of the verses of the Sibyls respecting it; and, moreover, a reproof and exhortation
On the Workmanship of God, or the Formation of Man
Chap. I.—The introduction, and exhortation to Demetrianus
Chap. II.—Of the production of the beasts and of man
Chap. III.—Of the condition of the beasts and man
Chap. IV.—Of the weakness of man
Chap. V.—Of the figures and limbs of animals
Chap. VI.—Of the error of Epicurus, and of the limbs and their use
Chap. VII.—Of all the parts of the body
Chap. VIII.—Of the parts of man: the eyes and ears
Chap. IX.—Of the senses and their power
Chap. X.—Of the outer limbs of man, and their use
Chap. XI.—Of the intestines in man, and their use
Chap. XII.—De utero, et conceptione atque sexibus.
Chap. XIII.—Of the lower members
Chap. XIV.—Of the unknown purpose of some of the intestines
Chap. XV.—Of the voice
Chap. XVI.—Of the mind and its seat
Chap. XVII.—Of the soul, and the opinion of philosophers concerning it
Chap. XVIII.—Of the soul and the mind, and their affections
Chap. XIX.—Of the soul, and it given by God
Chap. XX.—Of himself and the truth
General Note by the American Editor
Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died
Chap. I
Chap. II
Chap. III
Chap. IV
Chap. V
Chap. VI
Chap. VII
Chap. VIII
Chap. IX
Chap. X
Chap. XI
Chap. XII
Chap. XIII
Chap. XIV
Chap. XV
Chap. XVI
Chap. XVII
Chap. XVIII
Chap. XIX
Chap. XX
Chap. XXI
Chap. XXII
Chap. XXIII
Chap. XXIV
Chap. XXV
Chap. XXVI
Chap. XXVII
Chap. XXVIII
Chap. XXIX
Chap. XXX
Chap. XXXI
Chap. XXXII
Chap. XXXIII
Chap. XXXIV
Chap. XXXV
Chap. XXXVI
Chap. XXXVII
Chap. XXXVIII
Chap. XXXIX
Chap. XL
Chap. XLI
Chap. XLII
Chap. XLIII
Chap. XLIV
Chap. XLV
Chap. XLVI
Chap. XLVII
Chap. XLVIII
Chap. XLIX
Chap. L
Chap. LI
Chap. LII
Elucidation
Fragments of Lactantius
The Phœnix
A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
General Note
Venantius
Venantius
On Easter
Asterius Urbanus
Asterius Urbanus
Introductory Notice
The Extant Writings of Asterius Urbanus
Elucidation
Victorinus
Victorinus
On the Creation of the World
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
From the first chapter
From the second chapter
From the third chapter
From the fourth chapter
From the fifth chapter
From the sixth chapter
From the seventh chapter
From the eighth chapter
From the ninth chapter
From the tenth chapter
From the eleventh chapter
From the twelfth chapter
From the thirteenth chapter
From the fourteenth chapter
From the fifteenth chapter
From the seventeenth chapter
From the nineteenth chapter
From the twentieth chapter
From the twenty-first and twenty-second chapters
General Notes by the American Editor
Dionysius
Dionysius
Introductory Notice
Against the Sabellians
Elucidations
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
Introductory Notice
Introductory Notice by Professor M. B. Riddle, D.D.
Section 1.—The discovery of the codex, and its contents.
Section 2.—Publication of the discovered works: the effect
Section 3.—Contents of teaching, and relation to other works
Section 4.—Authenticity
Section 5.—Time and place of composition
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
Chapter I.—The Two Ways; The First Commandment
Chapter II.—The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden
Chapter III.—Other Sins Forbidden
Chapter IV.—Various Precepts
Chapter V.—The Way of Death
Chapter VI.—Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols
Chapter VII.—Concerning Baptism
Chapter VIII.—Concerning Fasting and Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer)
Chapter IX.—The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)
Chapter X.—Prayer After Communion
Chapter XI.—Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets
Chapter XII.—Reception of Christians
Chapter XIII.—Support of Prophets
Chapter XIV.—Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day
Chapter XV.—Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof
Chapter XVI.—Watchfulness; The Coming of the Lord
Elucidations
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles
Introductory Notice
Book I. Concerning the Laity
Sec. I.—General Commandments
Sec. II.—Commandments to Men.
Sec. III.—Commandments to Women.
Book II. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons
Sec. I.—On Examining Candidates for the Episcopal Office.
Sec. II.—On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop
Sec. III.—How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the Penitent
Sec. IV.—On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of the Clergy, and the Relief of the Poor
Sec. V.—On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers
Sec. VI.—The Disputes of the Faithful to Be Settled by the Decisions of the Bishop, and the Faithful to Be Reconciled
Sec. VII.—On Assembling in the Church
Sec. VIII.—On the Duty of Working for a Livelihood
Elucidation
Book III
Sec. I.—Concerning Widows
Sec. II.—On Deacons and Deaconesses, the Rest of the Clergy, and on Baptism
Book IV
Sec. I.—On Helping the Poor
Sec. II.—On Domestic and Social Life
Book V
Sec. I.—Concerning the Martyrs
Sec. II.—All Association with Idols is to Be Avoided
Sec. III.—On Feast Days and Fast Days
Book VI
Sec. I.—On Heresies
Sec. II.—History and Doctrines of Heresies
Sec. III.—The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles
Sec. IV.—Of the Law
Sec. V.—The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile Superstitions, Especially in Regard to Marriage and Funerals
Sec. VI.—Conclusion of the Work
Book VII. Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation into Christ
Sec. I.—On the Two Ways,—The Way of Life and the Way of Death
Sec. II.—On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of Thanks to God
Sec. III.—On the Instruction of Catechumens, and Their Initiation into Baptism
Sec. IV.—Enumeration Ordained by Apostles
Sec. V.—Daily Prayers
Book VIII. Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons
Sec. I.—On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
Sec. II.—Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays
Sec. III.—Ordination and Duties of the Clergy
Sec. IV.—Certain Prayers and Laws
Sec. V.—All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church
The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Same Holy Apostles
Elucidations
The Second Epistle of Clement
The Second Epistle of Clement
Introductory Notice
Introductory Notice by Professor M. B. Riddle, D.D.
The Homily
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed
Early Liturgies
Early Liturgies
Introductory Notice
The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the Lord
The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, The Disciple of the Holy Peter.
The Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles
Elucidations
Indexes
Indexes
Index of Scripture References
Index of Scripture Commentary
Index of Citations
Index of Names
Greek Words and Phrases
Latin Words and Phrases
Index of Pages of the Print Edition