Aristides, a Christian from Athens, wrote this in defense of Christians to the Emperor Hadrian in the year 125 AD…….

“They love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly.

And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting.

And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after The Spirit and in God.

And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial.

And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free.

And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.

They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as The LORD their God commanded them.

Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for his loving-kindnesses toward them; and for their food and their drink they offer thanksgiving to Him.”

~ Priscilla Van Sutphin

PRISCILLA VAN SUTPHIN is the founder of Upstream Ministries, California, online at www.upstreamca.org and blogtalkradio.com/ Upstream.  Donate to Upstream: via secure Paypal by sending as gift to upstream.ca @me.com or send to: Upstream, PMB 545, 14311 Newport Blvd, Suite G, Tustin, CA 92780, USA.

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