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How Polycarp (And Others) Show The Early Use Of The New Testament

...as Isiah, Psalms, Tobit and one of Ignatius’ letters. Earlier New Testament Witnesses While Polycarp is a very good witness to the New Testament canon, we can also go back even earlier to find quotes and usage of the various New Testament texts that show us just how quickly these writings were accepted and distributed. The letters of Ignatius, dated to have been written around AD 107–110, quotes many New Testament texts similar to Polycarp. Throughout the seven genuine letters, Ignatius quotes or alludes to: Matthew John Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus...

The Coming of Jesus: Revelation Fulfilled?

...Don’t let the title put you off, we’re about to go on a mad journey through the annuls of history and the Roman Empire, contrasting what John saw in his vision with what has already played out on the “world’s stage” and what we possibly have to look forward to! First though, let’s look at a little history concerning the book itself before delving into its contents. Why do this? For a couple of reasons really: one, Revelation has some dispute over the year in which it was written, which can impact on the interpretation. Two, at various points in early church history, the book was held in suspicion of being spurious and almost...

Unveiling the Trinity: Exploring the Nature of Jesus and the Incarnation

...e God. Psalms 33:6 "The heavens were made by the word of the LORD, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth." This verse highlights the creative power of God's Word, which aligns with the understanding of Christ as the divine Word. Early church fathers, like Irenaeus, played a role in affirming Christ's divinity and His significance in the salvation narrative. Moving forward, in the book of Daniel, we encounter Messianic visions that describe the Son of Man, who is granted authority and a kingdom similar to God's own. This foreshadows the incarnation and the fulfilment of Daniel's vision. Daniel 7:13-14 "I continued watching in the night visions...

Understanding the Ultimate Ransom

...I recently made a video doing a response to something the televangelist “prosperity gospel” preacher Jesse Duplantis said in one of his recent videos. He was using Psalm 49:16 as a proof-text to say it’s ok that he is super wealthy, but clearly missing the context of the whole Psalm as it is speaking against those who boast and trust in their riches! Here’s the video if you want to watch it, it’s only 1:57 long (don’t forget to subscribe to me on YouTube or TikTok as that’s where I’m posting a lot more of my content recently):   But this did get me thinking about something to do with what Jesus said in his ministry and how his sacrifice ful...

Lent: Day 14 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 24-35

...also the Psalms, to show that even Jesus’ death was predicted, down to the nails in his hands and feet (Ps 22:16). Interestingly, as further proof to this claim, he tells the Emperor that he can look up the facts of the crucifixion and see “that these things did happen” because he “can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate” what took place. What’s intriguing about this is that this book which is referenced is known to of spurious origins, with various later forgeries created to discredit Christians even! If you’re interested, you can read the scholarly debate in brief in the intro text to the book itself here: earlychristianwritings.com/actspi...

Did the Early Church invent the Trinity?

...n and the Psalms of God [Patrick] sings, and does expound the same for the edifying of God’s people. This law he holds in the Trinity of the sacred Name and teaches one being in three persons — Hymn in Praise of St. Patrick 22, A.D. 444. Patrick of Ireland (c. 447) I bind to myself today the strong power of an invocation of the Trinity — the faith of the Trinity in unity, the Creator of the universe — The Breastplate of St. Patrick 1, A.D. 447. [T]here is no other God, nor has there been heretofore, nor will there be hereafter, except God the Father unbegotten, without beginning, from whom is all beginning, upholding all things, as we say...