Ante-nicene Fathers
by Alexander Roberts | 1867 | 4,659,784 words
These pages represent the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers (also called the Apostolic Fathers)—encompassing the works of early Christian theologians from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. These individuals are believed to have personally known some of the Twelve Apostles or been greatly influenced by them, making their writings highly significant in...
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Chapter XXIII - Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again
Chapter XXIII.—Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again.
The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted [1] up on account of His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written, “Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold, we have grown old, and none of them has happened unto us.” [2] Ye foolish ones! compare yourselves to a tree: take [for instance] the vine. First of all, it sheds its leaves, then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit. Ye perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, “Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;” [3] and, “The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look.” [4]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Some regard these words as taken from an apocryphal book, others as derived from a fusion of Jas. i. 8and 2 Pet. 3:3, 4.
[3]:
Hab. ii. 3; Heb. x. 37.
[4]:
Mal. iii. 1.
Other Early Christianity Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again’. Further sources in the context of Early Christianity might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Bud, Fruit, Vine, Tree, Flower, Scripture, Lord, Holy One, For whom, Bears witness, Holy, Foolish one, Come again, Ripened fruit, Come to him, His temple, Will be, Glorious gift, Fear him, His will, His favour, Bowels of compassion, Doubting heart, Christ will come, Lord shall, Will come again, Come to his.