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How
Christians Live
from the Apology of St. Aristedes of
Athens to the Roman emperor, Antoninus Pius, circa 150 AD from our Ambassador
publication for February 2000
Christians know and believe in God as
the Creator of heaven and earth in whom and from whom all things exist. They have learned
Gods commandments and they live by them in hope of the world to come! For this
reason, they do not commit adultery or engage in sexual immorality; they do not give false
testimony in court or withhold someones deposit or envy another persons
possessions. They honor their father and mother, they are helpful to their neighbors and
as judges, they make decisions with justice and mercy.
Christians do not worship idols. Anything
they do not want others to do to them, they do not do to others. Christian men do not
enter into illegal marriages or engage in sexual promiscuity. Out of love for their slaves
and children, if they have any, they encourage them to become Christians, and if they do
so, they are called brothers and sisters without distinction.
Christians do not lie. They love one
another and take care of the their widows; orphans are protected from those who would harm
them. They willingly share what they have with those in need. They bring strangers into
their homes and welcome them as true brothers and sisters. Christians, as they are able,
provide for the burial of their poor when they die. They provide help to those among them
who are imprisoned or oppressed because of their faith in Christ.
When there is a person in poverty or need
among them and they do not have the resources at hand to help, they will fast for two or
three days in order to provide the food needed. The good works they do are not made public
to impress others, but, rather, are done unnoticed so that they may hide their deeds as
one who finds a treasure and hides it (Matthew 13:44)
Every morning and at all hours they give
praise and thanks to God for the gifts they have received; for food and drink also they
give thanks to God. This is the content of the Christians law and the way they live
their lives.
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