“The dayspring from on high hath visited us.” --Luke 1:78 The birth of a little Child the Christian world at this season celebrates. Christmas Day is a holy and happy day when we commemorate the coming of God’s Son into the world—the incarnation of God by way of the virgin birth. Never too happily can we
Tertullian, full name Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, was an early Christian writer from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He is the first known writer to use the term "trinity". His conversion to Christianity is believed to have taken place around 197 AD. Note: As with any apocryphal writing, Christians must take care to recognize
Tertullian, full name Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, was an early Christian writer from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He is the first known writer to use the term "trinity". His conversion to Christianity is believed to have taken place around 197 AD. Note: As with any apocryphal writing, Christians must take care to recognize
The Epistle of the Church at Smyrna goes by several names including The Martyrdom of Polycarp and The Letter of the Smyrneans. John, the last of the Twelve Apostles, ordained Polycarp bishop of Smyrna. Shortly after Polycarp was martyred for his beliefs at the age of 86-years-old, this "Christian Martyrology" was written, probably sometime between
The seventy disciples or seventy-two disciples were mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. According to Luke, Jesus appointed them and sent them out in pairs on a specific mission which is detailed in the text. Luke says: "And after these things, the Lord did appoint also other seventy, and sent them by twos before his face,
"Beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." --I John 3:2 "Defeatism" is not a pleasing word, but it is a popular one. Its wide
“May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” --Ephesians 3:18-19 We now come to the actual petition which was offered by the Apostle for the
Abgar V the Black (aka Abgarus of Edessa) is reported to be one of the first Christian kings in history, having been converted to the faith by Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy-two Disciples. The church historian Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea records that the Edessan archives contained a copy of a correspondence exchanged between
The Epistle to Seneca the Younger is a collection of correspondence claiming to be from Paul the Apostle to Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher and statesman. The writing is considered by most to be an early forgery. According to noted historian Philip Schaff, the writings "are very poor in thought and style, full of
The Acts of St. Paul and Thecla (aka The Acts of Thecla) first appeared around 200 AD. In context, the romantic story contains several non-biblical embellishments. It seems to have been a popular story in its day but was rejected early on by Christian leaders. The story's emphasis on virginity and total denial of the