Ignatius to the Philadelphians - Reject the Jewish Law

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius new his own weaknesses and the areas where he needed God's grace that he might complete his appointed task and, to this end, he asks for the prayers of the saints at Philadelphia.

"My brethren, I am greatly enlarged in loving you; and rejoicing exceedingly [over you], I seek to secure your safety. Yet it is not I, but Jesus Christ, for whose sake being bound I fear the more, inasmuch as I am not yet perfect. But your prayer to God shall make me perfect, that I may attain to that portion which through mercy has been allotted me, while I flee to the Gospel as to the flesh of Jesus, and to the apostles as to the presbytery of the Church. And let us also love the prophets, because they too have proclaimed the Gospel, and placed their hope in Him, and waited for Him; in whom also believing, they were saved, through union to Jesus Christ, being holy men, worthy of love and admiration, having had witness borne to them by Jesus Christ, and being reckoned along with [us] in the Gospel of the common hope." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 5)

In his fight with weakness, he turned to the same sources of strength that we turn to today; the words of Jesus, the teachings of the Apostles, and the prophesies of the prophets. For thousands of years, these truths passed down to us have served to strengthen millions of weary sojourners.

Ignatius also encourages them to reject the Jewish law in favor of Christian doctrine.

"But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 6)

There were those who, in Ignatius' day, sought to bring Christian believers back under the yoke of Judaism;  to the obedience of the law and the observance of days and seasons. However, Ignatius understood that, through the Gospel, we were called to be "Christian" not "Jewish". Worse yet, such teaching, and pressuring people to return to Jewish traditions, could only serve to divide, not unite, the church.

"Flee therefore the wicked devices and snares of the prince of this world, lest at any time being conquered by his artifices, ye grow weak in your love. But be ye all joined together with an undivided heart. And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no one has it in his power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have burdened any one either in much or in little. And I wish for all among whom I have spoken, that they may not possess that for a testimony against them." (Ignatius to the Philadelpihians, Chapter 6)

In previous visit to Philadelphia, not knowing the division that remained hidden beneath the surface, Ignatius exhorted them to unity, the very thing that would prove to be the remedy to their problem.

"For though some would have deceived me according to the flesh, yet the Spirit, as being from God, is not deceived. For it knows both whence it comes and whither it goes, and detects the secrets [of the heart]. For, when I was among you, I cried, I spoke with a loud voice: Give heed to the bishop, and to the presbytery and deacons. Now, some suspected me of having spoken thus, as knowing beforehand the division caused by some among you. But He is my witness, for whose sake I am in bonds, that I got no intelligence from any man. But the Spirit proclaimed these words: Do nothing without the bishop; keep your bodies as the temples of God; love unity; avoid divisions; be the followers of Jesus Christ, even as He is of His Father." (Ignatius tom the Philadelphians, Chapter 7)

Some accused Ignatius of knowing in advance what was going on and preaching directly to the subverters, but in reality, it was just the Holy Spirit intervening to prevent harm to His church. God desires unity in His church and is grieved at our divisions. Something that must still greatly grieve His heart today.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Philadelphians - Union Christians

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

The two things that concerned Ignatius most regarding the Philadelphian church was divisions and false doctrine.

"Wherefore, as children of light and truth, flee from division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves that appear worthy of credit, who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 2)

"Pernicious" not only means to be harmful but carries the connotation of being subtle. Divisions and false doctrines may, on the surface, seem worthy and their motives gentle. It's not until you dig deeper that you understand their real intent and the harm they can cause both individually and corporately. In a unified church, where the people stand shoulder to-shoulder with each other, it is hard for such people to make their way in. However, in a church where division and heresy already exists, such people of dubious motives can easily move about and their "pernicious" intent can run wild. Ignatius warns the Philadelphians to avoid all such people, those who would sow division and heresy in their midst.

"Keep yourselves from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but exceeding purity. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ. Do not err, my brethren. If any man follows him that makes a schism in the Church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If any one walks according to a strange opinion, he agrees not with the passion [of Christ.]." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 3)

For the early believer, there was no difference between being a Christian and being part of the church. You could not have one without the other. If you were not a believer then you were not part of the church, if you were not part of the church then you were not a believer. Those, also, who would bring harm to the church were not merely harming some human organization but were harming Jesus Himself, since the church was His body on the earth.

To this end, Ignatius once again exhorts the Philadelphians to unity.

"Take ye heed, then, to have but one Eucharist. For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup to [show forth] the unity of His blood; one altar; as there is one bishop, along with the presbytery and deacons, my fellow-servants: that so, whatsoever ye do, ye may do it according to [the will of] God." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 4)

The Latin word "Eucharist" simply means "thanksgiving" and has come to represent the memorial meal where christian, in many different modes and forms, celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many of the early churches, their meetings together were entirely set around the celebratory meal. Some also including the reading of the scriptures and corporate singing. What I find sad in our day is that the Eucharist has become something that separates us as believers instead of uniting us; many churches denying this communion of believers to those who are not members of their specific church. We no longer have "one Eucharist" but many. The very thing that was to unite us has now torn us apart. In trying to preserve what is ours we reject those for whom Christ also died and who are believers in His name, something I think that saddens the heart of God. May we today find some way to return to the unity of Christ and to the one faith and to the one will of God.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Philadelphians - Greetings

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius opens his letter to the Philadelphians by greeting them in the Lord and by introducing one of his favorite subject; unity.

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, which is at Philadelphia, in Asia, which has obtained mercy, and is established in the harmony of God, and rejoiceth unceasingly in the passion of our Lord, and is filled with all mercy through his resurrection; which I salute in the blood of Jesus Christ, who is our eternal and enduring joy, especially if [men] are in unity with the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons, who have been appointed according to the mind of Jesus Christ, whom He has established in security, after His own will, and by His Holy Spirit." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Greetings)

Ignatius reminds the church at Philadelphia that those who have authority in the church are appointed by the will of God and of His Holy Spirit. The bishop, presbytery  and deacons, while appointed my men, are appointed by those who sought the wisdom, counsel, and will of God in their selection. They were not, or at least should  not have been, selected for personal or political reasons but rather only in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Such men, not only are appointed according to the mind of Christ, are also confirmed, aided, and established in their appointment by God's grace and power. Such an appointment was the bishop of Philadelphia.

"Which bishop, I know, obtained the ministry which pertains to the common [weal], not of himself, neither by men, nor through vainglory, but by the love of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ignatius to the Philadelphians  Chapter 1)

The role of the bishop was not to do the "work of ministry" (Ephesians 4:12 NKJV) but to serve for the common welfare of the church. Such was the service of the bishop of Philadelphia, but what is most interesting about him was not what he did but who he was.

"at whose meekness I am struck with admiration, and who by his silence is able to accomplish more than those who vainly talk. For he is in harmony with the commandments [of God], even as the harp is with its strings. Wherefore my soul declares his mind towards God a happy one, knowing it to be virtuous and perfect, and that his stability as well as freedom from all anger is after the example of the infinite meekness of the living God." (Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Chapter 1)

Ignatius knew the bishop and admired him for his character and the strength of his example. The bishops were to teach the apostolic truths, the "apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:24 NKJV), but the bishop of Philadelphia taught them, not only with words, but also by examples. His life taught the apostolic truths and the message of Christ even when his lips were silent. What most eminently qualified him for the bishopric was not how well he taught, not how well he quoted scriptures, not his personality, and not even his leadership skills, but it was his character; it was his likeness to Christ.

It is unfortunate today that we often look on the outward appearances of a man to discern his calling; his "polish", his energy for "service", his leadership skills, his personality, his ability to "get-the-job-done". However, what is of real importance is what is on the inside, their conversion to Christ and their inward "harmony with the commandments of God." These are the things we should consider first. These are the things that make a man and/or woman of God.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - What Bishop?

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

For one final time, Ignatius pleads with the Roman believers not to stand in the way of his martyrdom.

"I no longer wish to live after the manner of men, and my desire shall be fulfilled if ye consent. Be ye willing, then, that ye also may have your desires fulfilled. I entreat you in this brief letter; do ye give credit to me. Jesus Christ will reveal these things to you, [so that ye shall know] that I speak truly. He is the mouth altogether free from falsehood, by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray ye for me, that I may attain [the object of my desire]. I have not written to you according to the flesh, but according to the will of God. If I shall suffer, ye have wished [well] to me; but if I am rejected, ye have hated me." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 8)

Only one thing could stand between Ignatius and his desire, and that was the intervention of the believers in Rome. His desire to die in battle with wild beasts did not come from some death wish he secretly harbored deep inside, rather, it was from Ignatius' deeply held belief that this was his calling in God and of the priceless reward that was awaiting him after he had successfully completed his journey. He asked them to pray and was assured that Jesus would give them the same answer he had, "Leave Ignatius alone; let him die." He would know their answer based on the outcome of his life. If he died a martyr  then they "wished well," if not, then the hated him and stole from him what he desired most, his liberty and freedom.

Ignatius also ask the Roman church to pray for the church is Syria who were about to loose their Bishop.

"Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for its shepherd, instead of me. Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love [will also regard it]. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for indeed I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time. But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 9)

It is interesting, in light of the early church's practice of apostolic succession that Ignatius did not appoint a new Bishop before his departure. Perhaps there was no time or there was no one eminently qualified to be bishop. Either way, he seemed confident that the church would survive without one, having "God as their shepherd."

Ignatius also sends forward the greetings of the churches that had been ministering to him in his journey.

"My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even those Churches which were not near to me in the way, I mean according to the flesh, have gone before me, city by city, [to meet me.]" (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 9)

Ignatius was loved by the churches and it was the custom of the churches to show their love in practical ways, regardless of the distance. Ignatius may not have been their Bishop but he was one of them, a believer in Jesus Christ and one who also hoped in the resurrection to come. There was a profound sense of unity and fraternity in the early church.

At last, Ignatius closes his letter.

"Now I write these things to you from Smyrna by the Ephesians, who are deservedly most happy. There is also with me, along with many others, Crocus, one dearly beloved by me. As to those who have gone before me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe that you are acquainted with them; to whom, [then,] do ye make known that I am at hand. For they are all worthy, both of God and of you; and it is becoming that you should refresh them in all things. I have written these things unto you, on the day before the ninth of the Kalends of September (that is, on the twenty-third day of August). Fare ye well to the end, in the patience of Jesus Christ. Amen." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 10)

This ends his letter to the Roman church.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - Please be on my side

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius was old and the love of Christ filled his life. There was nothing left of this world that he desired.

"All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. 'For what shall a man be profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?' Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 6)

Ignatius only saw the gain; the gain of leaving this earth and coming face-to-face with his Lord. When faced with difficult choices, how often is our internal conflict the result of us still finding benefit in this life? How much of our struggle is against the remaining desire to "gain the world." If we could be free from this world and the lures it has on our hearts then we would truly be free. Then, like Ignatius, we would be ready to die whenever the Lord calls us home. Not that we long for death, but that we would be ready for death and thus, ready for life.

Ignatius again pleads that the believers in Rome would not hinder his course or his calling in God.

"Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish to keep me in a state of death; and while I desire to belong to God, do not ye give me over to the world. Suffer me to obtain pure light: when I have gone thither, I shall indeed be a man of God. Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If any one has Him within himself, let him consider what I desire, and let him have sympathy with me, as knowing how I am straitened." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 6)

Ignatius understood that true life was in the life after this one; that life on earth was a temporary life and a life filled with death, but living was to be truly found in heaven with Christ; true life is a life of eternity. Ignatius' desire is that the brethren would let him pass over from this life unto the next and not restore him again "to the world." If they truly loved him they would rejoice with him and let him go. "If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father." (John 14:28)

Ignatius ask them to be on his side, not to do the devil's bidding of trying to dissuade him from his course.

"The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome] help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet set your desires on the world. Let not envy find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded to listen to me, but rather give credit to those things which I now write to you. For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me desiring to be fed; but there is within me a water that liveth and speaketh, saying to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink of God, namely His blood, which is incorruptible love and eternal life." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 7)

How can you threaten a man who is ready to die? How can you tempt him for whom the world had no value? How can you imprison one who is free in his Lord? Ignatius was a man who was free, secure, and full of joy. I hope that when the end of my life comes I will be as free, secure, and joyful as he was.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - I am ready to die

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius' trip to Rome had not been easy. There were dangers from the journey and from his captors.

"From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts, both by land and sea, both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards, I mean a band of soldiers, who, even when they receive benefits, show themselves all the worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of Christ]; 'yet am I not thereby justified.' " (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 5)

His captors were cruel to him and, even when provided with benefit for their service in the journey, they seemed to be only made worse. However, even in this, Ignatius did not fail to see the hand of God for to him the rough treatment was simply preparation for what he was to experience when he reached Rome.

Ignatius also expressed his hope that his death amongst lions would be swift and complete, that they would not tarry in his death, lest his resolve be further tested in the arena.

"May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear, they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this]: I know what is for my benefit." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 5)

His greatest fear was that he would some how fail to complete his course; that if death was not swift, that he might ideas other than the completion of his calling in God. In his mind, whatever happened from here out would be worth it so long as he could complete his course and, in the end, come to Christ.

"Now I begin to be a disciple. And let no one, of things visible or invisible, envy me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 5)

When Ignatius write of "attaining to Jesus" I believe that he is speaking of becoming a Christian or even becoming worthy of being a Christian. I believe that he is speaking of attaining Christ in two senses. First in attaining to Christ in His likeness. Ignatius refers to starting to be His disciple in that he is following the same path as his savior. "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master." (Matthew 10:25) Secondly, I believe he is speaking of arriving into the presence of his savior, something that only death can bring. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) Ignatius was done with this world and ready to meet his maker whom he loved dearly.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - I'm done with this world

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius praises the Roman believers for their faith and strength and ask them for their prayers for himself.

"Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. 'For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.' For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with the Father, is all the more revealed [in His glory]. Christianity is not a thing of silence only, but also of [manifest] greatness." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 3)

He asks for inward strength that he would continue to have the will to continue on his path towards martyrdom. He also asks for outward strength that he might confess the good confession before those who would yet try and sentence him to death. He reminds them that Christianity is not just a religion of beliefs but also one of action. It matters little what we call ourselves if our actions deny our words. In the end, we will be remembered for what we have done more than for what we thought and believed.

Ignatius understands his end and is willing to accept it. Only the believers in Rome can stand between him and his calling in God. He again pleads that they would refrain from doing so.

"I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may be no trouble to any one." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 4)

In his heart, Ignatius has already left this earth, he has already resigned from this life. Now, he looks longingly towards the new life to come.

"Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice [to God]. I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles; I am but a condemned man: they were free, while I am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being a prisoner, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 4)

When we have the things of this world it is hard to appreciate the blessings of our life to come, but when we are prisoners of this world's system and subject to the suffering of this world, then the world to come shines brighter in our eyes and our longing for it grows and grows. Ignatius was being called home by his Lord and he was willing and anxious to leave this place for his heavenly home; he was done with this world, he was ready for real life to begin.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - I'm coming, hinder me not

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius is on his way and writes in anxious hope of seeing the believers in Rome.

"Through prayer to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces, and have even been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 1)

However, amidst his desire to see his fellow believers in Rome, he also has a fear.

"For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love, lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 1)

Ignatius believed that his path in God was to end with the lions in Rome. He had accepted it and saw his pilgrimage to Rome, and to death, as his being discipled into the life of his savior who was also killed for the sake of the Kingdom. His journey had begun well, but now he was facing the end. His fear was that, somehow, his brethren in Rome might seek to intervene in his martyrdom and even try to secure his release. It was not uncommon for the families and loved ones of those sentenced to death to seek their release with bribes. Even Christians were know to offer bribes and payments for the release of Christians condemned to death. Ignatius knew this and wanted to avoid it, so he write to the Christians in Rome asking them to refrain from interfering with his calling in God. Ignatius knew that the believers in Rome loved him and desired him to be spared, but he was not coming to please them, but God.

"For it is not my desire to act towards you as a man-pleaser, but as pleasing God, even as also ye please Him. For neither shall I ever have such [another] opportunity of attaining to God; nor will ye, if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to the honour of a better work." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 2)

To die for the sake of Christ was an honor and a testimony to the world and to the church, yet he could only attain to this honor if they remained silent. Ignatius knew they loved him, but he asks them to love his spirit more than they loved his flesh.

"For if ye are silent concerning me, I shall become God’s; but if you show your love to my flesh, I shall again have to run my race. Pray, then, do not seek to confer any greater favour upon me than that I be sacrificed to God while the altar is still prepared; that, being gathered together in love, ye may sing praise to the Father, through Christ Jesus, that God has deemed me, the bishop of Syria, worthy to be sent for from the east unto the west. It is good to set from the world unto God, that I may rise again to Him." (Ignatius to the Romans, Chapter 2)

Ignatius was called by God to be a martyr for his faith and for the glory and honor of God; he knew this. If the Roman believers interfered, it would only delay the inevitable; he would still, at a latter time, have to face death. He was ready and willing now, but who knows what the future would bring. He wanted to accomplish his task without the burden of having to do it all over again. Instead of interfering  he ask them to come together in worship and to offer thanks to God for the grace and honor He has shown their brother from Syria and to pray for his continued strength and resolve. Him message to the Romans was, "I am coming, hinder me not!"

David Robison

Ignatius to the Romans - Greetings

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our God." (Ignatius to the Romans, Introduction)

Ignatius greets the believers in Rome. Ignatius' letter to Rome is different from his other letters. First, his other letters are written to those he was leaving behind, but here he is writing to those whom he will soon see. Also, in this letter there is no teaching, as in his other letters, just an impassioned plea for them not to interfere with his death as a martyr.

Ignatius congratulates the Roman church for their worthy character and their adherence  to Jesus. Specifically there are some interesting things that he mentions. He says that they "preside over love." It interesting that the key characteristic of the church that Ignatius highlights is love. They were not first known as a church of authority, or of discipline, but of love. The church is a many faceted organisation, but it is love that binds us together in unity. "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." (Colossians 3:14)

Secondly, he praises them for being "united" to everyone of God's commandments. Here not referring to the Old Testament law but to the "Law of Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:12) They not only performed outward obedience to His law but were also conformed inwardly to His will; their inward desire and their outward obedience working together to fulfill the Law of Christ.

Finally, he write to them as brothers and sisters in Christ. He, as well as all the early Christian writers, did not view Rome as superior in authority or appointment  For sure, the Church in Rome was important, not because it was divinely elevated, but because of the importance of the city it resided in. Rome was not everyone's superiors, but, more consistent with love, their brothers and sisters.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Trallians - The True Gospel

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

In preparing to close his letter to the Trallians, Ignatius once again encourages them to remain true to the true Gospel.

"Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father will so raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life." (Ignatius to the Trallians, Chapter 9)

Ignatius' emphasis here is on both the physical reality of these events and the participation of flesh in these events. There were those in his day that denied that Jesus came in human flesh. Some taught Him as a phantom and others as having flesh of a celestial nature, but certainly not human. However, Ignatius contended for the truth that Jesus was both God and man, and as man, came in human flesh. He was physically born, lived among us, suffered and died in the flesh, and bodily rose again. His flesh was our hope of forgiveness and a resurrection of our own. It was for this hope that Ignatius was bound in chains and heading to Rome to face death for His beliefs.

"But if, as some that are without God, that is, the unbelieving, say, that He only seemed to suffer (they themselves only seeming to exist), then why am I in bonds? Why do I long to be exposed to the wild beasts? Do I therefore die in vain? Am I not then guilty of falsehood against [the cross of] the Lord?" (Ignatius to the Trallians, Chapter 10)

Those who did not believe that Jesus had come in the flesh were more than willing to deny their faith and to worship the emperor's god; anything so that they could escape the threat of death; something a true believe in Jesus would never do. Ignatius encourages the Trallians to flee such heresy and heretics as those who have only death to offer us.

"Flee, therefore, those evil offshoots [of Satan], which produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one tastes, he instantly dies. For these men are not the planting of the Father. For if they were, they would appear as branches of the cross, and their fruit would be incorruptible. By it He calls you through His passion, as being His members. The head, therefore, cannot be born by itself, without its members; God, who is [the Saviour] Himself, having promised their union." (Ignatius to the Trallians, Chapter 11)

We who believe are God's planting, those whom God has planted in His kingdom and will one day return to raise us up with Him to our inheritance. Jesus came, not to just die and rise for our sins, but that we too might live through a resurrection to ever be with Him. "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

In closing, Ignatius thanks the Trallians for refreshing his spirit and encourages them once again to remain in unity.

"I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you. Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes every one of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles." (Ignatius to the Trallians, Chapter 12)

He also asks them for their prayers for the church he left behind in Syria that God would strengthen and comfort them.

"The love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, from which also I am not worthy to receive my appellation, being the last of them. Fare ye well in Jesus Christ, while ye continue subject to the bishop, as to the command [of God], and in like manner to the presbytery. And do ye, every man, love one another with an undivided heart." (Ignatius to the Trallians, Chapter 12)

This ends Ignatius' letter to the Trallians.

David Robison