General Christian Quotes: Descriptions of Christianity from Its Earliest Periods

Christian quotes describing Christianity from its earliest periods.

Tatian, c. A.D. 165

With us there is no desire of self-exaltation, nor do we indulge in a variety of opinions. We have renounced the popular and earthly; we obey the commands of God; we follow the law of the Father of immortality; and we reject everything which rests upon human opinion. Not only do the rich among us pursue our philosophy, but the poor enjoy instruction without charge, for the things which come from God surpass the reimbursement of worldly gifts. Thus we admit all who desire to hear, even old women and adolescents. In short, persons of every age are treated by us with respect, but every kind of licentiousness is kept at a distance. (Address to the Greeks 32)

Athenagoras, A.D. 177

Among us you will find uneducated persons, craftsmen, and old women, who, if they are unable in words to prove the benefit of our doctrine, yet by their deeds exhibit the benefit arising from their persuasion of its truth. They do not rehearse speeches, but exhibit good works; when struck, they do not strike again; when robbed, they do not go to law; they give to those that ask of them, and love their neighbors as themselves. (A Plea for the Christians 11)

Clement, c. A.D. 190

It is time, then, for us to say that the pious Christian alone is rich and wise, and of noble birth, and thus call and believe him to be God's image, and also His likeness, having become righteous and holy and wise by Jesus Christ, and so far already like God. Accordingly this grace is indicated by the prophet, when he says, "I said that ye are gods, and all sons of the Highest" [Ps. 82:6]. For us—yes, us—he has adopted and wishes to be called the Father of us alone, not of the unbelieving. (Exhortation to the Heathen 12)

Good is the whole life of those who have known Christ. (Exhortation to the Heathen 12)

Tertullian, c. A.D. 200

A man becomes a Christian; he is not born one. (The Soul's Testimony 1)

Origen, c. A.D. 230

The following quote by Origen is one of my favorites, not just because of its content, but also because of it's use of the word "ekklesia" (Greek) or "church" (English). "Ekklesia" was a political term, referring to all the voting citizens of a town or city. Origen contrasts the "ekklesia" of each particular city with the "ekklesia of God" in that city.

God ... caused ekklesias to be everywhere established in opposition to those of superstitious, licentious, and wicked men; for such is the character of the multitudes who constitute the citizens in the ekklesias of the various cities. In contrast, the ekklesias of God which are instructed by Christ, when carefully contrasted with the ekklesias of the districts in which they are situated, are like beacons in the world. For who would not admit that even the inferior members of the ekklesia—those who in comparison with the better are less worthy—are nevertheless more excellent than many of those who belong to the ekklesias in the various districts?
     ... In the same way, in comparing the "council" of the church of God with the council in any city, you will find that certain councilors in the church are worthy to rule in the city of God, if there be any such city in the whole world, while the councilors in all other places exhibit in their characters no quality worthy of the typical superiority which they appear to enjoy over their fellow citizens.
     And so, too, you must compare the ruler of the church in each city with the ruler of the people of that city in order to observe that even among those councilors and rulers of the church of God who come very far short of their duty and who lead more indolent lives than those who are more energetic, it is nevertheless possible to discover a general superiority in things relating to the development of virtue over the characters of the councilors and rulers in the various cities. (Against Celsus III:29-30)

The Middle Class Forum, 2009

Paul’s proclamation was perhaps the most broadly egalitarian statement made up until that time. Our relationship to God depended on no cultural heritage or paternal order. Instead, it went through a very personal relationship with Christ with no other discrimination or allegiance involved.
   This led to early Christians, the Early Church, being decentralized. They were very much a bottoms-up, grassroots movement of independent fellowships. …
   This changed dramatically when Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official top-down, paternal religion. It became a religion dependent on scholars, rather than ordinary folks, to divine moral absolutes and "Natural Law." Protestantism was supposed to be a revolt against this, with the philosophy that we could all divine the truth for ourselves from the Bible. However, most Protestant denominations amount to the same thing as interest groups transcending communities, rather than a recapitulation of the communal Early Churches. ("Liberty and Tyranny – Confused Faith," MiddleClassForum.org, Oct. 2009)