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The Early Witnesses

Posted On : Aug-28-2011 | seen (357) times | Article Word Count : 2763 |

The Shepherd of Hermas (160 AD) is not inspired scripture, however it reflects many of the original beliefs of the apostles. Here are some samples from the letter that was widely popular in the second century Catholic Church, and nearly adopted as part of the inspired word of God by them. The document reveals that whoever wrote this document still held to many of the beliefs of the apsotles. We will search this writing and others to show forth their doctrines.
The Shepherd of Hermas (160 AD) is not inspired scripture, however it reflects many of the original beliefs of the apostles. Here are some samples from the letter that was widely popular in the second century Catholic Church, and nearly adopted as part of the inspired word of God by them. However, in retrospect it would disproved their later adopted trinity (325 AD at Nicea) doctrine, and perhaps for them it was the best thing not to happen. Incidentally, I placed a quote from the supposed sayings of the apostles (which are already recorded in the book of Acts by Luke) or the Catholic Didache. It is still seen by them as a pious fraud. Nevertheless, they have two baptism sayings (a later formula was inserted by one of them to justify the trinity in baptism) the older formula (and true record) is also recorded here as well. The book of Barnabas (100 AD) is quoted here as well, along with various scriptures are placed in to prove out certain basic doctrinal truths.

15:6 I asked her, `Wherefore is the tower builded upon waters, lady'?

15:7 `I told thee so before', said she, `and indeed thou dost enquire diligently.

15:8 So by thy enquiry thou discoverest the truth.

15:9 Hear then why the tower is builded upon waters;

15:10 it is because your life is saved and shall be saved by water.

21:3 Thus thinking that they can find a better way, they go astray and are sore distressed, as they walk about in the regions where there is no way.

21:4 But they that fall into the fire and are burned,

21:5 these are they that finally rebelled from the living God,

21:6 and it no more entered into their hearts to repent by reason of the lusts of their wantonness and of the wickedness which they wrought.

21:7 But the others, which fall near the waters and yet cannot roll into the water, would thou know who are they?

21:8 These are they that heard the word, and would be baptized unto the name of the Lord.

Didache 9:5 And let none eat or drink of your Eucharist but such as have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for of a truth the Lord hath said concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto dogs.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all:" (Acts 10:36)

29:4 She salutes me, saying, `Good morrow, my good man';

29:5 and I saluted her in turn, ` Lady, good morrow'.

29:6 She answered and said unto me, `Did nothing meet thee?

29:7 ` I say unto her, Lady, such a huge beast, that could have destroyed whole peoples :

29:8 but, by the power of the Lord and by His great mercy, I escaped it'.

29:9 `Thou didst escape it well', saith she,

29:10 because thou didst cast thy care upon God, and didst open thy heart to the Lord, believing that thou canst be saved by nothing else but by His great and glorious Name.

32:2 First of all, believe that God is One,

32:3 even He Who created all non-existence into being, Who comprehends all things, being alone incomprehensible.

32:4 Believe Him therefore, and fear Him, and in this fear be continent.

32:5 Keep these things,

32:6 and thou shall cast off all wickedness from thyself, and shall clothe thyself with every excellence of righteousness, and shall live unto God, if thou keep this commandment.

45:7 Do thou therefore cleanse thy heart from all the vanities of this life, and from the things mentioned before;

45:8 and ask of the Lord, and thou shalt receive all things, and shalt lack nothing of all thy petitions, if thou ask of the Lord nothing wavering.

45:9 But if thou waver in thy heart, thou shalt surely receive none of thy petitions.

45:10 For they that waver towards God, these are the doubtful-minded, and they never obtain any of their petitions.

45:11 But they that are complete in the faith make all their petitions trusting in the Lord, and they receive, because they ask without wavering, nothing doubting;

45:12 for every doubtful-minded man, if he repent not, shall hardly be saved.

Barnabas Chapter 10

Let us further inquire whether the Lord took any care to foreshadow the water [of baptism] and the cross. Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure another for themselves. The prophet therefore declares, "Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth tremble at this, because this people hath committed two great evils: they have forsaken Me, a living fountain,and have hewn out for themselves broken cisterns."

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16).

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) .

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:3-5)

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:4-5)

Barnabas Chapter 16

But it shall be built, observe ye, in the name of the Lord, in order that the temple of the Lord may be built in glory. How? Learn [as follows]. Having received the forgiveness of sins, and placed our trust in the name of the Lord, we have become new creatures, formed again from the beginning. Wherefore in our habitation God truly dwells in us. How? His word of faith; His calling of promise; the wisdom of the statutes; the commands of the doctrine; He himself prophesying in us; He himself dwelling in us; opening to us who were enslaved by death the doors of the temple, that is, the mouth; and by giving us repentance introduced us into the incorruptible temple. He then, who wishes to be saved, looks not to man, but to Him who dwelleth in him, and speaketh in him.

Anyone can plainly see that these early documents published shortly after the apostles deaths, still held to baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This also is the record of every baptism performed in the scriptures whether by Peter, Paul or any other apostle. There is only One Lord, one faith, and one baptism taught and accepted by the apostles (into the name of the Lord Jesus, as He alone is the way, truth and life; and the single door to God). See Ephesians 4:5; John 10:9; 14:6. Paul wrote that any other teaching than this was cursed (Galatians 1:6-12). "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Therefore all men should know that we must live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." If we change, overlook or omit it then we will suffer the consequences of that decision (Revelations 22:18-19). "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Everybody knows that the name of the father is Jesus (John 5:43). "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." That the name of Jesus is the name of the whole family of God (Ephesians 3:14-15). "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." The son was named Jesus (Matthew 1:21). "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." The Holy Ghost or Spirit was sent in the name of Jesus (John 14:26). "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

No other name has power (Matthew 28:18). "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." No other name saves (Acts 4:10-12). "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." No other name is above all other names or titles (Philippians 2:9-11). "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Mark said baptize all believers in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:15-17). "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues."

Luke agreed with him (Luke 24:45-47). "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Peter did it that way. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19) "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:12-16) "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:36-48)

As did Paul (Acts 16:15; 16;31-33: 18:8; 19:1-5). Along with Philip (Acts 8:12-40). John did the same (John 20:22-23; 1 John 5:12-20). Are you going to argue with Jesus?

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Early Witnesses_77447.aspx

Author Resource :
The Shepherd of Hermas, The King James Bible, The Didache

Keywords : Shepherd of Hermas, apostles, baptism, lady, tower, church, water, truth, discover, trinity, Lord, jesus, build, fire, burn, heart, free, male,

Category : Society : Religion

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