Congratulations and Entreaties
Ignatius of Antioch encourages the Church to glorify Jesus Christ, live in unity, and be subject to the bishop and presbytery.
Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of unity and obedience within the Church, urging the congregation to glorify Jesus Christ through unanimous obedience and alignment in mind and judgment. He commends fellow servants Burrhus, Crocus, Onesimus, Euplus, and Fronto for their faithfulness and support, praying for their continued blameless conduct for the honor of the Church. Ignatius expresses gratitude for the love and refreshment shown to him, highlighting the interconnectedness and love among believers.
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As to our fellow-servant Burrhus, your deacon in regard to God and blessed in all things, I pray that he may continue blameless for the honour of the Church, and of your most blessed bishop. Crocus also, worthy both of God and you, whom we have received as the manifestation of your love to us, hath in all things refreshed me, and "hath not been ashamed of my chain," as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will also refresh him; together with Onesimus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, and Fronto, by means of whom I have, as to love, beheld all of you.
May I always have joy of you, if indeed I be worthy of it.
It is therefore befitting that you should in every way glorify Jesus Christ, who hath glorified you, that by a unanimous obedience "ye may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, and may all speak the same thing concerning the same thing," and that, being subject to the bishop and the presbytery, ye may in all respects be sanctified.
Sermon Outline
- Greetings and Prayers
- Encouragement and Love
- Obedience and Unity
- Unanimous Obedience
- Subject to the Bishop and Presbytery
Key Quotes
“hath not been ashamed of my chain” — Ignatius of Antioch
“may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, and may all speak the same thing concerning the same thing” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- We should strive to live in a way that glorifies Jesus Christ and honors His teachings.
- Unanimous obedience to the Church's teachings and values is essential for unity and spiritual growth.
- We should be subject to the spiritual leadership and guidance of the bishop and presbytery.