Justin, called Justin Martyr, is considered to have been an important religious leader and saint by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and even most Protestants. 

But not by the COG, as some of us have studied and considered the ramifications of several of his teachings.

However, Justin, from a historical persective, does add information of use to those interested in early Church history.

 Justin was in Ephesus as were early Christians.

                           Photo of Ancient Ephesus taken June 2005

Perhaps one of the most important points that needs to be emphasized was that there were two main groups of professing Christians in Ephesus during Justin’s time (plus the various known gnostic and other heretical groups).

Paul told those in Ephesus,

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk… (Ephesians 4:17). 

Yet certain ones like Justin did not heed this. In Ephesus, Justin Martyr wrote, in response to a Jew named Trypho,

But if, Trypho, some of your race, who say they believe in this Christ, compel those Gentiles who believe in this Christ to live in all respects according to the law given by Moses, or choose not to associate so intimately with them, I in like manner do not approve of them (Justin. Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 47. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

Thus, Justin admits that there were two groups in Ephesus, one that kept all the law and the other that did not. He also admits that he did not approve of those who kept the law.

Justin Martyr records this accusation from Trypho,

But this is what we are most at a loss about: that you, professing to be pious, and supposing yourselves better than others, are not in any particular separated from them, and do not alter your mode of living from the nations, in that you observe no festivals or Sabbaths…you do not obey His commandments (Justin Martyr. Dialogue with Trypho. Chapter 10. Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. Excerpted from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors); American Edition copyright © 1885. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc.). 

While the Ephesians were told to live differently than the other Gentiles in whose nation they co-existed with, those with Justin Martyr could not be distinguished. It is interesting to note that Trypho expected that Justin would have kept the Sabbath–this is because that was the common practice of those that professed Christ in Asia Minor.

It is believed that the discourse between Trypho and Justin Martyr took place in Ephesus, though Justin Martyr later ended up in Rome (Lebreton J. St. Justin Martyr)–which may have been when he adopted Sunday.

Thus, there would have had to be two very different professing Christian groups in Ephesus. Justin Martyr specifically claimed his group did not observe the Sabbath, keep the Feasts, or eat unleavened bread (Dialogue with Trypho. Chapter 18)—yet, according to the Catholic historian Eusebius, Polycrates later confirmed that Passover was continually kept on the 14th and unleavened bread was still eaten annually by the Christians who were the followers of Polycarp and John in Ephesus (Eusebius. Church History. Book V, Chapter 24). Yet, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox claim both Polycarp and Justin as saints–the two were too different for both to have been saints. To determine which of the two could have been, please read this article completely and also read the article Polycarp of Smyrna.

Perhaps it should be noted that in the famous letter The Martyrdom of Polycarp it is clear that those in Polycarp’s area, which included Ephesus, still kept the Sabbath (Verse 8.1. Holmes MW, ed. As translated in The Apostolic Fathers Greek Texts and English Translations. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 3rd printing 2004, p. 231) (more can information can be found in the article Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, & Rome).

It is possible that the reason that Justin Martyr decided to leave Ephesus and go to Rome was because the true Christians in Ephesus (and nearby Smyrna) would not accept him or his teachings. 

Although they keep Sunday, there are many teachings that Justin had, however, that even  Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and even most Protestants would find troublesome.

Notice: 

Was Christ Cursed?

One concern that Trypho had was,

But whether Christ should be so shamefully crucified, this we are in doubt about. For whosoever is crucified is said in the law to be accursed, so that I am exceedingly incredulous on this point (Dialogue. Chapter 89).

Ultimately, Justin responded with,

Therefore our suffering and crucified Christ was not cursed by the law, but made it manifest that He alone would save those who do not depart from His faith (Dialogue. Chapter 111).

This seems to conflict with what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:13,

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).

Thus, it appears that Justin somewhat contradicted this scripture. Instead, Justin perhaps should have simply quoted the entire section in Galatians 2:10-14 where Paul appears to address this particular concern.

Who is the Supreme Pontiff and the Father? Is the Roman Senate Sacred?

Justin addressed his First Apology to the Emperor and “to the sacred Senate” (The First Apology. Chapter I).

And in his conclusion mentioned,

The Emperor Caesar Titus AElius Adrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Supreme Pontiff, in the fifteenth year of his tribuneship, Consul for the third time, Father of the fatherland, to the Common Assembly of Asia, greeting (The First Apology. Chapter LXVIII).

The ultimate “Father of the fatherland” would seem to be God the Father, though it is likely that Justin is simply trying a bit too hard to be polite here.

Catholics may have been surprised to learn that when addressing the Supreme Pontiff in Rome, Justin was referring to the Emperor (the bishop of Rome did not take this title to himself until the late 4th Century). Pontiff is a term that seems to mean bridge builder and has historically, in a religious context, has suggested being the bridge between the Chief God (Jupiter for the Romans, or the Father for the Catholics) and man. Or essentially, a mediator.

The Bible teaches this, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). It is also not likely that God would consider that the assembly of the Roman Senate was sacred (e.g. Amos 5:21).

Justin also stated,

For I choose to follow not men or men’s doctrines, but God and the doctrines [delivered] by Him. For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this [truth], and venture to blaspheme the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians (Dialogue. Chapter 80).

While those in the COGs would agree that souls die (Ezekiel 18:4) and are not taken to heaven upon death (Job:14:14; John 3:13), those in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches would seem to disagree with Justin here.

Justin is clearly stating that those who believe that souls are taken to heaven when they die are not Christians. Therefore, it is surprising that any in Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches would consider Justin to be a saint, since he teaches that none of them can be.

An article of related interest may be Did the Early Church Teach Human Immortality?

More on Justin can be found in the articles:

Justin Martyr: Saint, Heretic, or Apostate? Justin is considered one of the first Christian theologians and scholars. But did he support a Gnostic version of Christianity? Do you know what he taught about souls going to heaven upon death? This article shows from his own writings, what Justin really taught.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?

Killer Earthquake Strikes Japan

By KOJI SASAHARA AP

Posted: 2007-07-16 09:20:29

Filed Under: Natural Disaster, World

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan (July 16) – A strong earthquake struck northwestern Japan on Monday, destroying hundreds of homes, buckling seaside bridges and causing a fire at one of the world’s most powerful nuclear power plants. At least seven people were killed and hundreds were injured.

The quake, which left fissures 3 feet wide in the ground along the coast, hit shortly after 10 a.m. local time and was centered off Niigata state. Buildings swayed 160 miles away in Tokyo. Sirens wailed in Kashiwazaki, a city of about 90,000, which appeared to be hardest hit.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency measured the quake at a 6.8 magnitude. The U.S. Geological Survey, which monitors quakes around the world, said it registered 6.7.

It is sad when disasters hit and I pray that the survivors will receive comfort as they rebuild.

Jesus, of course, did fortell of earthquakes in diverse places (Matthew 24).  And in the Book of Revelation a great earthquake is predicted that will eliminate nearly all islands on the earth.

Three articles of related interest may include:

Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a draft of an in-process article about Japan. Have they had any witness? Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?

France stages all-European Bastille Day festivities

International Herald Tribune, Associated Press – July 14, 2007

PARIS:  Troops from all 27 European Union nations marched behind French President Nicolas Sarkozy down the Champs-Elysees on Saturday, part of a revamped Bastille Day party celebrating the revolution that rid France of its monarchy.

Sarkozy, interested in a united European military, shook up traditions for his nation’s biggest holiday, and invited EU contingents to join for the first time.

“It’s a party. It’s Europe’s party,” he said of this year’s Bastille Day, his first as president. “It was a parade of armies but it is peace that we want to celebrate,” he added, referring to this year’s 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which laid the groundwork for the European Union.

Sarkozy, standing in the back of a military vehicle, led the procession, circling the Arc de Triomphe before continuing down Paris’ most famous avenue escorted by mounted regiments of the Republic Guards.

Among those who joined Sarkozy to watch the rest of the parade were Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission; EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana; and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency…

The popular Sarkozy, who took over from Jacques Chirac in May, has broken with several Bastille Day traditions…

This year will also see a mass, free, open-air concert Saturday night for the first time, headlined by French rock legend Michel Polnareff and German pop-rock band Tokio Hotel.

“I wanted the national holiday to be a people’s holiday,” Sarkozy said.

On the eve of the Bastille celebrations, Sarkozy reiterated his push for a Europe-wide defense.

“The basis for a European defense exists. We must make it grow,” he said in a speech to European defense ministers and French military officers. “I want Europe to be capable of ensuring its security autonomously.”

He also visited sites Friday housing French nuclear forces and insisted that he wouldn’t hesitate to make “any necessary decisions” to protect France’s vital interests or security.                                                         http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/14/europe/EU-GEN-France-Bastille-Day.php

Catholic prophecy shows that there will be a “Great Monarch” who will be over a large army and he will destroy the English.   Some Catholic prophecies suggest that the leader of this army will be French.

Here are some of those prophecies:

Saint Cataldus of Tarentino (c. 500): “The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age….he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England and other island empires” (Connor, p.30).

St. Francis of Paola (Born in Italy, 15th century). “By the grace of the Almighty, the Great Monarch will annihilate heretics and unbelievers. He will have a great army, and angels will fight at his side. He will be like the sun among the stars. His influence will spread over the whole earth. All in all, there will be on earth twelve Kings, one Emperor, one Pope and a few Princes. They will all lead holy lives.” (Dupont, p.38)

John of the Cleft Rock (1340): The White Eagle (Great Monarch), by order of the Archangel Michael, will drive crescent from Europe where none but Christians will remain–he himself will rule from Constantinople. An era of peace and prosperity will begin for the world. There will no longer be Protestants {there were no Protestants then and the book suggests that perhaps this word should have been translated as heretics} or schismatics…God will raise up a holy Pope (Connor, pp. 33-34)

Telesphorus of Cozensa (died 1388): A powerful French monarch and French pope will regain the holy land after terrible wars in Europe, convert the world, and bring universal peace” (Connor, pp. 34-35).

An article of related interest may be Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation.

Benedict XVI’s comments about essentially Catholic supremacy have been in the news the past week or so (please go to for my earlier post on it titled Vatican Excluding Protestants, But PCG Comments).

Various COGs have commented about them.

Last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong reported:

Articles appeared yesterday about recent official statements issued by the pope and released through the Vatican stating that the Catholic Church is the only route to salvation and any group or organization claiming to be Christian cannot be legitimately called a “church.”  He extended his remarks to include the Anglican Church, and all protestant churches who reject papal authority!  Only the Catholic Church can “prove” an unbroken succession of “apostles” leading back to Jesus Christ, according to the statement.   

            There are several obvious problems with the assertion.  History shows that there have been two and as many as three competing popes at one time in the past and also records all manner of corruptions, including the “selling of indulgences.”  And that’s only the tip of the iceberg when you consider all the ways God’s clear instructions have been argued away and overruled in favor of  “the traditions of men.”

The day prior, LCG reported:

Pope Promotes Catholic Traditions.  Pope Benedict XVI has given visible support for conservatives who desire to return to the pre-Vatican II days by signing a document paving the way for “voluntary” return to the Tridentine Mass—an idea he supported as Cardinal Ratzinger (The Times, June 19, 2007).  In another attention-grabbing move this week, the pope released a document re-asserting that the Catholic Church is the one true church (San Antonio Express News, July 11, 2001) and stating that Christian denominations outside of Catholicism are not really true churches—due to their alleged inability to trace their bishops back to Christ’s original apostles.  Observers question the rationale of the pope in releasing this controversial paper just prior to his three-week vacation (BBC, July 10, 2007).  God warns of the powerful role to be played by a religious figure and his church in end-time events (Revelation 16:13; 17:1-6, 18; 19:20). Historians note that most leaders think in terms of years, but popes think in terms of centuries.  Actions taken by the pope and the Vatican today are designed to fit into a bigger plan for Europe and the future.

The Vatican does have a bigger plan for Europe.  But even it knows that it does not have provable “apostolic succession” in spite of its recent public assertions–it relies a lot on its asserted traditions.

These matters are documented in the following articles:

Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship).
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible?

Minister Labeled a Heretic ABC News (20/20) – July 12, 2007

Virtually every religion throughout human history has some notion of a horrible life after death. And though the threat of fire and brimstone is not preached as fervently in this age of reason, one man in Tulsa, Okla., knows just how hard it is for modern believers — and their religious institutions — to let go of the medieval vision…

Carlton Pearson was born to work a pulpit.

“My dad was preacher, his dad was preacher,” he said. “Tongue talkin’, pew jumpin’, holiness, …and brimstone.”

Pearson began casting demons out of people at age 16, and he couldn’t wait to go to Oral Roberts University. Once there, his love of the Scriptures and his stage presence was so obvious, the renowned televangelist took him under his wing and took him on the road as one of the World Action Singers.

“Oh man, that was heaven on earth for me,” Pearson said. “In our opinion, Oral Roberts was the third cousin to the Holy Ghost.”

After years preaching to crowded arenas and television audiences, he built the Higher Dimensions church in Tulsa and soon became an evangelical megastar with a megacongregation — up to 6,000 people would attend his services each week, and he was in high demand in the Christian world, sharing pulpits with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.

After the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, he was called to lead the grieving in prayer. And he counseled both President Bush and President Clinton on faith-based initiatives.

Throughout his rise, Pearson preached the fundamentals: Everyone is born a sinner…Jesus Christ as lord…

A Crisis of Faith

Through the years, as Pearson studied the ancient Greek and Hebrew Scriptures, he developed a crisis of faith.

“I couldn’t reconcile a God whose mercy endures forever, and this torture chamber that’s customized for unbelievers,” Pearson said.

And he often agonized over the fate of his non-Christian family members. …

“How can you really love a god who’s torturing your grandmother? And that’s what I went through for years.”

…The more he studied, the more Pearson saw the Bible…prone to mistranslations, political agendas and human emotions. And one night, as he watched Peter Jennings’ report on the parade of suffering in Rwanda, he had a revelation.

“I remember thinking that these were probably Muslims because God wouldn’t let that happen to Christians,” he said. “Unbelieving Muslims, little starving babies and that…”

“And that’s when I said, ‘God, how could you, how could you call yourself a loving God and a living God, and just let them suffer like that…'” he continued. “And that’s when I thought I heard an inner voice say, ‘Is that what you think we’re doing?’ I said, ‘That’s what I’ve been taught…’ And that voice said, ‘Can’t you see they’re already there?…“The bitter torment of the idea of an angry, visceral, distant, stoic, harsh, unrelenting, unforgiving, intolerant God is…pagan, it’s superstitious, and if you trace its history, it goes way back to where men feared the gods because something happened in life that caused frustration that they couldn’t explain.”

Losing His Followers

Pearson began sharing this message, and it wasn’t long before Christian magazines demonized him. The denomination that made him a bishop officially labeled him a heretic. His assistant pastors quit, and his congregation dropped from 6,000 to fewer than 300.

“When people leave by the thousands, it’s like pulling clumps of your hair out at one time,” Pearson said. “…It wasn’t some secular, atheist, God-hating infidel that denounced me … my own brethren, with whom I sat, and ate, whose babies I dedicated.”

As his life came apart, he agonized over his new belief…

It seemed like that prayer might be answered when his doctors found cancer.

Life After …

Pearson stuck with his new message, even after losing his church altogether. He now rents space from the Episcopalians across town. And his congregation is growing. Slowly, people from all faiths are adding to the few who never left, despite being labeled heretics themselves…

After the avalanche of hate mail and all the rejections, Pearson says people are slowly warming to his ideas. His cancer is in remission, and he doesn’t regret his difficult path.

“Religion won’t let you love yourself. Religion is the accuser of the brethren, that’s what the devil is. It’s legal systems, religious dogmas that say you’re not good enough, you’re not God enough,” he said. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3362554&page=1

While I do not agree with everything in the article (which is part of why I edited out portions), it is nice that sometimes, even Protestant preachers realize that some of the doctrines they teach do not square with the God of the Bible.

False religion is a tool of Satan, who the Bible states is “the accurser of the brethren”.  But it is true that the idea of Gehenna as a place of never-ending torment is not a biblical concept (it would be nice if Protestants actually believed in Sola Scriptura.

It is also true that God is a God of love and has a better plan for humans (including Moslems, Hindus, and others not in the Church of God) than nearly all realize.  And this is clearly taught in the Bible.

Please see the articles:

Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this?
Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants How the COGs differ from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority.

On June 17th (please see article on Benedict and Orthodox Unity) I posted a news item that showed that the Patriarch Alexy II of the Russian Orthodox Church was interested in becoming closer to the Roman Catholic Church.

But  did you know that the Orthodox used to observe the Sabbath, long after Rome stopped doing so and that there were Sabbath-keepers, well prior to the Protestant Reformation, in Russia? 

Notice this nineteenth century report:

The ancient Russian name for this people was Strigolniks.  Dr. Murdock says of them:–

“…The earliest of the schismatics first appeared in Novogorod, early in the fifteenth century, under the name of Strigolniks.

   “A Jew named Horie preached a mixture of Judaism and Christianity; and proselyted two priests, Denis and Alexie, who gained a vast amount of followers.  This sect was so numerous that a national council was called, towards the close of the fifteenth century, to oppose it.  Soon afterwards one Karp, an excommunicated deacon, joined the Strigolniks, and accused the higher clergy of selling the office of the priesthood, and of so far corrupting the church, that the Holy Ghost was withdrawn from it.  He was a very successful propagtor for this sect.”

…What was the origin of these Russian Sabbath-keepers?  Certainly it was not from the Reformation of the sixteenth century; for they were in existence for at least one century prior to that event.  We have seen that the Waldenses, during the Dark Ages, were dispersed through many of the counties of Europe.  And also, were the people called Cathari, if indeed, the two were not one people.  In particular, we note the fact that they were scattered through Poland, Lithuania, Sclavonia, Bulgaria, Livonia, Albania, and Sarmartia.  These countries are now part of the Russian empire.  Sabbath-keepers were numerous in Russia before the time of Luther (Andrews J.N. in History of the Sabbath, 3rd editon, 1887. Reprint Teach Services, Brushton (NY), 1998, p. 470).

“There is a sect of Greek Christians in Siberia who keep the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday)…”(Semi-Weekly Tribune, May 4, 1869.  Cited in Andrews, p. 505) 

Sadly there was persecution of Sabbath-keepers in Russia back then: 

Russia…

“The accused [Sabbath-keepers] were summoned; they openly acknowledged the new faith, and defended the same. The most eminent of them, the secretary of state, Kuritzyn, Ivan Maximow, Kassian, archimandrite of the Fury Monastery of Novgorod, were condemned to death, and burned publicly in cages, at Moscow; Dec. 17,1503.”  Geschichte der Juden” (Leipsig, 1873), pp.117-122  

However, I believe that knowledge and observance of the Sabbath was in Russia long before that.

Why?

One reason is the Russian language, like many others, essentially uses a term for Sabbath to mean what we in English term Saturday: 

105 Languages: In over 100 languages the name for the day that we call “Saturday” is “the Sabbath.” For example, “Saturday” in the Spanish language is “Sabado,” which means “the Sabbath.” In Italian, it is “Sabbato,” which also means “the Sabbath.” In Russian it is, “Subbota.” In Polish, “Sobota,” etc. Interestingly enough, in Ghana the day for Sunday, literally translated, means “White man changed this day!”  (Wohlberg S.  Can We Know What Day is the Sabbath? White Horse Media).суббота is how the word Saturday was translated by two online dictionaries for me–but this is using Russian uses characters.  There simply is no serious reason to use a term that means Sabbath for Saturday unless there was knowledge of the Sabbath in Russia.

Notice the following: 

The reign of Vasily (1505-1533) was characterized by cruelty and a return to ignorance. His son and successor Ivan IV (1531-1584) turned out to be a bloody ruler who terrorized all Russia, earning from history the infamous title, Ivan the Terrible. Even during his reign, there were people in Russia who were true to the teachings of the Bible, especially the Sabbath. The “One Hundred Head” Church Council, called in 1551 during the reign of Ivan IV, adopted a resolution which until today has not been annulled by the Russian Orthodox Church. This regulation states that the people, besides worshiping on Sunday, could also worship on Saturday in the confines of the Russian Orthodox Church—a statement which was recognized by the church council as authorized by the Apostles Peter and Paul (D. E. Kozhachnikov, ed., Stoglav [Source: One-Hundred-Head Council] (St. Petersburg: Tipografiia Imperatorskoi Akademy Nauk, 1863), pp. 270, 271. As cited by Zhigankov, Oleg.  Ahead of their time? The 15th century Reformation in Russia.  College and University Dialogue Journal).

Notice that the practices of Peter and Paul are mentioned.  They kept the Sabbath.  But one still may wonder how the Orthodox Church could possibly condone Saturday.

Well, because Saturday had been observed by those in Asia Minor for centuries, and even after the area mainly became part of the Greco-Orthodox confederation of Catholics, in Constantinople (the primary see, “first among equals” in its words of the Orthodox Churches, for documentation please go to Orthodox Church of Constantinople ) the Sabbath was kept. 

Both the Sabbath and Sunday were kept into fifth centuries all over the world, including Constantinople. 

Sozomen reported in the mid-5th Century,

The people of Constantinople, and almost everywhere, assemble together on the Sabbath, as well as on the first day of the week, which custom is never observed at Rome or at Alexandria (Sozomen. THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF SOZOMEN. Comprising a History of the Church, from a.d. 323 to a.d. 425. Book VII, Chapter XIX. Translated from the Greek. Revised by Chester D. Hartranft, Hartford Theological Seminary UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., LL.D., AND HENRY WACE, D.D., Professor of Church History in the Union Theological Seminary, New York. Principal of King’s College, London. T&T CLARK, EDINBURGH, circa 1846).

Also in the fifth century, the historian Socrates noted:

For although almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries on the sabbath of every week, yet the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some ancient tradition, have ceased to do this. The Egyptians in the neighborhood of Alexandria, and the inhabitants of Thebais, hold their religious assemblies on the sabbath, but do not participate of the mysteries in the manner usual among Christians in general (Socrates Scholasticus. Ecclesiastical History, Book V, Chapter XXII. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Volume 2. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

Apparently, however, Sabbath-observance was still observed by some in Rome (though the Roman Catholics were opposed to it) as the Catholic pope they call “Gregory the Great” wrote the following:

Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to his most beloved sons the Roman citizens.

It has come to my ears that certain men of perverse spirit have sown among you some things that are wrong and opposed to the holy faith, so as to forbid any work being done on the Sabbath day. What else can I call these but preachers of Antichrist (Gregory I. Registrum Epistolarum, Book XIII, Letter 1).

Hence, even within the area of Rome, some people were keeping the Sabbath in the late sixth/early seventh century.

Even in recent times, Sabbath-keepers have been found in the Russia, Tajikistan and Siberia and elsewhere (please see the article In Search of the Thyatira Church).

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

COGwriter 

This month, I have noticed that my article titled Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? has become relatively popular.

Although I did update it sometime last month (mainly added some scriptures), since I did not announce it, I have been surprised that it is suddenly more popular.

Regarding birthdays, Herbert Armstrong taught,

“There is no command or instruction to celebrate it in the Bible–rather, the celebration of birthdays is a pagan, not a Christian custom, believe it or not!” (Armstrong, Herbert. The Plain Truth About Christmas. 1974, p.10).

However, HWA did acknowledge birthdays and sent his mother roses each year on hers once she was quite elderly.

Essentially, the Bible and early church history suggest that early Christians did not celebrate birthdays.  However, since the ages of various ones are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, somehow the anniversaries of births were acknowledged.

Without naming specific COG groups, essentially the more liberal do allow the celebration of birthdays, while the groups on the opposite extreme essentially prohibit almost even the acknowledgement.

Here is something from the article:

Jews and the Old Testament

The first century Jewish historian Josephus noted that Jewish families did not celebrate birthdays:

Nay, indeed, the law does not permit us to make festivals at the birth of our children, and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess (Josephus. Translated by W. Whiston. Against Apion, Book II, Chapter 26. Extracted from Josephus Complete Works, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids (MI), 14th printing, 1977, p. 632).

Now although there is no specific command against the celebration of birthdays in the Bible, the Jewish custom in those days was apparently based on the negative occurrences in the Bible surrounding birthdays, as well as the astrological implications of the celebration of birthdays (pagan practices were specifically prohibited in the law).

Since nearly all of the first Christians were Jewish, this may partially explain why the celebration of Jesus’ birth would not be consistent with that custom…

Gentiles and the New Testament

It is interesting to note that while the New Testament is clear about the specific time of certain holy days such as Passover (Matthew 26:17-20) and Pentecost (Acts 2:1), it never mentions the date, or even the precise month, of Jesus’ birth (see Matthew 1 and Luke 1;2:1-20).

Furthermore, there is no recorded instance of any of the apostles celebrating the birth of Christ (see also the article Did the Early Church Celebrate Christmas?).

There is, however, one birthday celebration mentioned in the New Testament, and it was not a good one. Actually, it was so bad, that the one Jesus had called the greatest “among those born of women” (Matthew 11:11) was killed because of it:

But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother (Matthew 14:6-11).

(The same account is also mentioned in Mark 6:21-28).

Originally, even as more and more Gentiles began to profess Christ (so much so that they outnumbered those of Jewish heritage that did), the early Gentile leaders also did not endorse the celebration of birthdays…

The writings of the late third century Catholic theologian Arnobius show that, even that late, most Catholics were against the celebration of birthdays as he wrote:

…you worship with couches, altars, temples, and other service, and by celebrating their games and birthdays, those whom it was fitting that you should assail with keenest hatred. (Arnobius. Against the Heathen (Book I), Chapter 64. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 6. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1886. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).  

More information, including scriptures of possible interest, are included in the article Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?

Tiny tablet provides proof for Old Testament

The Telegraph (UK) – July 11, 2007

The sound of unbridled joy seldom breaks the quiet of the British Museum’s great Arched Room, which holds its collection of 130,000 Assyrian cuneiform tablets, dating back 5,000 years.

But Michael Jursa, a visiting professor from Vienna, let out such a cry last Thursday. He had made what has been called the most important find in Biblical archaeology for 100 years, a discovery that supports the view that the historical books of the Old Testament are based on fact. 

Searching for Babylonian financial accounts among the tablets, Prof Jursa suddenly came across a name he half remembered – Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, described there in a hand 2,500 years old, as “the chief eunuch” of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon.

Prof Jursa, an Assyriologist, checked the Old Testament and there in chapter 39 of the Book of Jeremiah, he found, spelled differently, the same name – Nebo-Sarsekim.

Nebo-Sarsekim, according to Jeremiah, was Nebuchadnezzar II’s “chief officer” and was with him at the siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC, when the Babylonians overran the city.

The small tablet, the size of “a packet of 10 cigarettes” according to Irving Finkel, a British Museum expert, is a bill of receipt acknowledging Nabu-sharrussu-ukin’s payment of 0.75 kg of gold to a temple in Babylon.

The tablet is dated to the 10th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, 595BC, 12 years before the siege of Jerusalem.

Evidence from non-Biblical sources of people named in the Bible is not unknown, but Nabu-sharrussu-ukin would have been a relatively insignificant figure.

“This is a fantastic discovery, a world-class find,” Dr Finkel said yesterday. “If Nebo-Sarsekim existed, which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power. 

In the July-August edition of its Bible Advocate, CG7-Denver’s General Conference President Whaid G. Rose wrote the following:

Missions, long a bright spot in the Church, has become brighter in recent years.

Expanding from Missions Abroad to include Home Missions and Church Planting, this ministry needed a leader with high energy, vision, and passion to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Such a person was found in Pastor Bill Hicks, who often describes the G. C. Missions department as “Working for you around the corner and around the world.” As a result, mission-mindedness at home and our global presence are on the rise. Opportunities to touch the world in the name of Christ are provided through managed projects like Pioneer Missionary Training, Medical Missions, and Disaster Relief.

Another managed project is Cristo Viene, Spanish for “Christ is coming.” This missionary fund now provides maintenance salary for indigenous evangelists in fifteen countries: Cuba, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, Ecuador, Argentina, India, Kenya, United Kingdom, Philippines, Indonesia, and Italy. It solicits  members in the U.S. and Canada to give twenty dollars per month toward this effort, with the goal of supporting five hundred missionaries through contributions from five thousand members.

This is an ambitious goal, but I’m not surprised, knowing the men behind the project. Immigrant leaders of our Haines City, Florida, congregation, Mario Mora (Costa Rica) and Rafael Parra (Colombia), conceived the idea and remain the human force behind it. Initially, they drove from church to church, personally soliciting funds. Motivated by a love for the whole world, they want to see the Church increase its commitment to missions. I spent time with these two brothers earlier this year and was refreshed to hear their hearts and observe their passion.

Historically, the U.S.-Canadian Church has not seen itself as a global administration but as one among many conferences of the Church of God (Seventh Day) around the world. It was only in 1978 that the International Ministerial Congress was formed to foster doctrinal harmony and to coordinate the evangelistic efforts of its members. But through G. C. Missions, the General Conference is becoming more and more a church with global vision and more at ease with the term “world church.” Therefore, Cristo Viene is apropos because it calls the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.

Historically, CG7 has been hesitant to take “the whole gospel to the whole world”.  But perhaps some will truly be converted (c.f. Revelation 3:4).  I have been told that some with that group have stated that COGwriter should not refer to them as a remnant of Sardis because they believe that their size demonstrates that they are not dead.  However, the Bible indicates that there are only “a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments” (Revelation 3:4).

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.
Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?

The Vatican has essentially been taking the position that only the Roman and Orthodox religions are true churches.  The following news items that came out today confirm this:

VATICAN: DIALOGUE DOES NOT MEAN RECOGNIZING OTHER CHURCHES

Agenzia Giornalistica Italia – July 10, 2007

Vatican City (AGI) – The Catholic Church is the only church wanted by Jesus Christ, as confirmed by the II Vatican Council which, while including in this definition also Orthodox Churches, excluded all the communities resulting from the Reform on grounds that they lack a valid apostolic succession and the sacrament of the Orders.

That was re-affirmed by a document of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith approved some days ago by Pope Benedict XVI. Indeed, the II Vatican Council, while encouraging ecumenical dialogue, confirmed the traditional catholic doctrine of the one Church.

.http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200707101344-cro-ren0045-art.html

Vatican hits ‘wounded’ Christian churches