Christian worship in the early Church. (A view from approx. 140 A.D.)
Justin Martyr opens a window into early Church worship in his letter to the Emperor's son. This worship occurred near Jacob's well in Samaria. The congregation called themselves Christians and were compossed of both the early Jewish converts and also of the early gentile converts. There is not even a hint by any of them desiring to maintain a separate Jewish heritage and tradition. This new innovation among messianic Jews comes from the flesh has no foundation in the early Christian Church. This is by no means unique among the modern Jews. We see similar nationalistic tendencies and developments among the English Episcoplians, the Greek Orthodox, the Latin Catholics, the German Lutherans, the French Calvinist of the 16 and 17 century. The Christian Nation is a universal body and has no national boundaries.
Also, please remember as you read that Justin Martyr is unaware of the different traditions of the Orthodox, the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. There was only one universal Christian Church in his day. In reading these early writings, twentiety century Christians are often tempted to bring their own prejuidces into their readings.
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Chapter LXV.-Administration of the Sacraments.
But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching,
bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer
hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in
every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also
to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an
everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.141 There is then
brought to the president of the brethren142 bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking
them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these
things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present
express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to ge/noito
[so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent,
those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine
mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they
carry away a portion.
Chapter LXVI.-Of the Eucharist.
And this food is called among us Eu0xaristi/a143 [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to
partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed
with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ
has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner
as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood
for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His
word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of
that Jesus who was made flesh.144 For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are
called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread,
and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me,145 this is My body; "and
that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood; "and
gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras,
commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain
incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.
Chapter LXVII.-Weekly Worship of the Christians.
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the
needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the
Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called
Sunday,146 all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the
apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has
ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all
rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water
are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his
ability,147 and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation
of that over which thanks have been given,148 and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the
deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is
deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through
sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning
among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all
hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the
darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the
dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of
Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them
these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
Chapter LXVIII.-Conclusion.
And if these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, honour them; but if they seem nonsensical,
despise them as nonsense, and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you
would against enemies. For we forewarn you, that you shall not escape the coming judgment of God,
if you continue in your injustice; and we ourselves will invite you to do that which is pleasing to God.
And though from the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Adrian, your father, we could
demand that you order judgment to be given as we have desired, yet we have made this appeal and
explanation, not on the ground of Adrian's decision, but because we know that what we ask is just.
And we have subjoined the copy of Adrian's epistle, that you may know that we are speaking truly
about this. And the following is the copy:-
Justin Martyr in his First Apology. |
