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

Polycarp is one of the most important people in early church history. He was a disciple of John the Evangelist, and later became the bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was born around 69 A.D. in Smyrna, which is now modern-day Turkey. He grew up during a time when Christians were being persecuted for their beliefs, and he himself became a Christian at a young age. Polycarp is regarded as one of the earliest church fathers because he had a significant impact on Christianity as it spread throughout Asia Minor and Europe, and he also played an important role in shaping biblical canon for centuries to come. We don’t know a great deal about his life, apart from t...

7 things the Lord hates (spoiler: questioning doctrine isn't one of them)

...mpletely? Christianity is not "blind faith" (as much as some would try to say otherwise), but is based on the teachings and actions of a real man and was spread by the testimonies and accounts of eye-witnesses. Even before Jesus, the Psalmist declared, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him" (Ps 34:8) — that's a challenge right there to do something, to actually try your faith and see that God is there and real. This faith is a demonstrable one. But I digress. As to the title of this post: Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates,   &...

It's no longer about land!

...true that Christianity should be more than mere religion, and about a real relationship with the living God, I would also now say that it's even more than that. Christianity is a new race. A new people group — a new creation in Christ.   The new creation isn't (just?) some far off future event, but was and is a current thing which happens right now! As far as Paul was concerned, once you were in Christ, the old was gone and the new had come already: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer...

New Covenant Israel is no longer physical (nor literal)!

...dation of Christianity. For example, many of the early Christians taught that Christ had fulfilled the Old Covenant in himself, and therefore superseded it with the New: Justin Martyr (about 100 to 165): "For the true spiritual Israel ... are we who have been led to God through this crucified Christ." Tertullian (ca.160 – ca.220 AD): “Who else, therefore, are understood but we, who, fully taught by the new law, observe these practices,—the old law being obliterated, the coming of whose abolition the action itself demonstrates. . . . Therefore, as we have shown above that the coming cessation of the old law and of the carnal circumcision wa...

Does Easter Have Pagan Origins?

...entury of Christianity, and is wholly and totally centred around the resurrection of Jesus (and not so-called “pagan goddesses”)… How did chocolate eggs and rabbits come into the mix? This is another thing which is also surrounded by murky pseudo-history and internet myth, too, but that, again, has nothing to do with the generic catch-all “paganism” claim. In a similar way that aspects of Santa Claus originated in Dutch culture and were imported to the United States in the 17th century via immigrants, the Easter Bunny (or Oschter Haws) was imported from Germany to the United States around this era. And much like Christmas and Santa, the character was...

?️ How Do I Become a Christian? A message for Muslims seeking to understand the way of Christ

...You are not alone. Around the world, many Muslims — people who already believe in one God, pray, and seek to live righteously — are drawn to know more about Jesus (ʿĪsā in Arabic). Some have heard He is more than a prophet. Some have sensed His presence in a dream or vision. And some simply long to know God more deeply, personally, and truly. So what does it mean to become a Christian? And how can you take that step? This guide is for you. 1. What Christians Believe About God and Jesus ➤ One God, Eternal and Good Christians believe in one God — the same Creator known to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. But we also belie...