Week 59. Contend Earnestly for the Faith - WordPress.com · Contend Earnestly for the Faith Part 5 ... “Prodigal Son ... have been a prime early authority in the exegesis of the

Contend Earnestly for the FaithPart 5

“I now feel compelled instead to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”

Jude 1:3b NET

“Prodigal Son”

Thomas hart Bentonc. 1939-1941

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Contend Earnestly for the Faith

Series Outline

Questions:

1. What is the “Faith that was once for all delivered to the saints?”2. Who were the saints?3. How did they contend earnestly for the faith?

Topics:

1. Christian Orthodoxy2. The Problem of False Teaching3. Apostolic and Early Church Fathers4. Church History

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Apostolic Chain of CustodyFrom Jesus to the 4th Century Councils

John Ignatius, Papias, Polycarp, Iranaeus, Hippolytus

Paul Linus, Clement, Evaristus, Alexander, Sixtus, Telesphorus, Hyginus, Pius, Justin Martyr, Tatian

Peter Mark, Anianus, Avillius, Kedron, Primus, Justus, Pantaenus, Clement, Origen, Pamphilus, EusebiusContend

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Apostolic Chain of Custody (28:42 – 37:27)

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PAPIAS

Papias was one of the early literary figures of the Christian church. Recognized as a saint and martyr, his five-volume Explanation of the Sayings of the Lord, is thought to have been a prime early authority in the exegesis of the teachings of Jesus, although today it is known only through fragments quoted by later writers. The few surviving passages of Papias include sayings of Jesus that are not known from the Gospels, as well as a bizarre account concerning the fate of Judas Iscariot.

The bishop of Hierapolis, Phrygia, Papias was highly regarded by many of the early Church Fathers. According to the second century Bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, Papias was a hearer of John the Apostle. He was also said to be the companion of Polycarp of Smyrna, with whom he may have been martyred. Christian writers cited Papias’ interpretation of the Gospels though the early fourth century and beyond. The influential church historian Eusebius of Caesarea, however, wrote that Papias had been affected by a false millenarian teaching and denigrated him as simple minded. It may be for this reason that Papias' writings were not preserved. The fifth century Codex Alexandrinus states that it was Papias who transcribed the Gospel of John from John's dictation.

A page from the fifth century Codex Alexandrinus, which introduces the Gospel of John as having been dictated to Papias.

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The Martyrium (Memorial Chapel) of Philip at Hierapolis

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The Martyrium (Memorial Chapel) of Philip at Hierapolis

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The Roman Amphitheatre at Hierapolis

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The Necropolis at Hierapolis

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The Colonnade at Hierapolis

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The Colonnade (Domitian Gate) at Hierapolis

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Domitian Gate at Hierapolis

Roman Baths at Hierapolis

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Mineral Springs at Hierapolis

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Discussion

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