Justin quotes Jesus

Chapters 13-17

Justin sets the persecution faced by Christians in the context of spiritual warfare, it is due to the influence of demons that the Roman authorities oppose them, although they do no evil.

Justin then quotes Jesus extensively (apparently from his memory of the Gospels) to indicate the quality of the Christian faith. His main emphasis is on holiness, for he wishes to persuade his readers that Christians are no threat, in fact, although they only worship God and not Caesar in all else they are law-abiding.

Some interesting points:

1. Justin rejects double marriage.
2. Justin claims that there are many men and women who although now are old have led moral and pure lives.
3. Justin affirms that those who do not live holy lives are not genuine Christians. In fact, "not those who make profession, but those who do the works, will be saved."

Clement and holiness

In Chapters 28-30 Clement urges his readers to holiness. There are some interesting points to look at here:

(1) Clement presents the church as the one which takes on the role and the status which in the OT belonged to Israel.

(2) It is because the church is the holy portion of God and recipient of his blessings that holiness becomes so important.

(3) Clement seems to believe that those Christians who do not live holy lives, will need to be in fear of some form of future judgement.