The Ancient Story Of The Apostle John, The Bishop And The Bandit

One of my favorite stories is an extra-biblical account, told by second century Clement of Alexandria, about the Apostle John. The same beloved apostle of Jesus, the one who was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos, the one who wrote five books of the New Testament. In a past post, I posted the account verbatim from the Anti-Nicene Fathers (see here). Since it was difficult to read, I always wanted to rewrite it for the contemporary reader. So I did just that. However, I took some literary liberty, adding and subtracting to the story and adding some names to the nameless bishop and defector (so if you would like, please check out the account that this is based on).

God, Hell and Truman of St. Helens

Is God mean? Just because one doesn't believe on him, will he send that person to Hell?

Maybe.

However, another perspective may help us better understand.

Lets rewind back to the 1980’s. Harry Randall Truman lived near Spirit Lake leading up to the fateful day of May 18, 1980. He became a short lived celebrity – he refused to believe he was in danger. He loved the lake and it’s associated mountain – desiring to eventually die there. If he were to leave, heartbreak would probably have killed him because he loved his surroundings. He knew the risks, he just did not believe the reports. But on that fateful day, against the hopes and desires of those around him, it happened, Mount St. Helens blew, burying Truman 150 feet under debris.

Another narrative comes to mind – one that God wrote. You see, we also are in a predicament – impending doom awaits us unless we move. Think about this – 100 out of 100 people will eventually die. But there is another problem, worse. Hell is at the doorstep of death.

We have all done wrong and are broken humans. Who has not lied, lusted, stole or blasphemed God? Even if just one of God’s holy laws is broken – we still broke the law. Justice must be served. Just like a prison, Hell is a good place for bad people. It's not an evil place as some think. It's bad for those who go there – but good for justice.

There is only one fix, a path away from this impending doom. So narrow and so hard, many ignore its existence. Some believe but don't follow. This path was made by that great teacher, Jesus of Nazareth. Standing at its entrances, he beckons all to enter. He wants all to turn and come to the safety of God's mercy. Most will reject. Not wanting God, they hate him. The path we take now will dictate the location of the here after: with God or away from him.

Without God it's Hell.

Being a loving God, he will not force people to love and follow him – he lets us have free will. Just as a man's true love will not force a women to marry him, so also is God's love. As Truman would be unhappy severed from his lake, so are people with their life. His life was the lake and the mountain, if he wanted to really live, he would have had died to his love. Some love their life – but in the end comes death. This reminds me of that great Nazarene teacher who once said "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it" [1].

But the first story brings home another thought, even if Harry did believe those around him, if he really did trust the experts, action would have to have been riveted to that trust or else he still would have been doomed. Obedience must be in sync with belief. Just as one writer put it, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead” [2].

Death and Hell are impending upon all of us, we have only one other option, turn and follow Jesus’ escape path.

Sources:
[1] Luke 17:33
[2] James 2:17
Image source: Wikipedia

The Powerful Decalogue

The Ten Commandments is a powerful tool to help show people their need for Christ. Many have suppressed sin in their mind and ignore guilt. How do you expose this sin for them? What should you say? Both Christ and Paul used the Decalogue to circumvent the intellect and go straight to the conscience (1). We are called to be ambassadors and be prepared as we interact with society around us (2).

The mirror

The commands are like a mirror, kind of how James describes the law of liberty (3). When the unregenerate come to see themselves pitted against God's moral standards, they know they are fallen creatures. Once they see their sin, they will understand why they need one to rescue and from their trespasses (4). They see their sin as if one sees ones face in a mirror.

While in conversation with others about God or while sharing the gospel with those who do not follow Christ, feel free to give them some of the commands to see how they have held up to God's standards. When you ask if they are a good person or if they have been good enough to go to heaven, most will say yes. However, the Bible says we all have sinned. They know sin in their heart-of-hearts, they just need to see it for what it really is, trespassing against God's ways (5).

The questions

Ask questions like these: have you every told a lie, even a white lie? That makes you a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, even if it was small? That makes you a thief. Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? That is blasphemy. Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This lust makes you an adulterer at heart.

Think about it, we all have sinned. More than likely, if one is honest, he or she will have done all of these things, we are all people. They as well have trespassed God's holy commands.

Note this, I only mentioned four of the ten commands, already this person is a liar, a thief, a blasphemer and an adulterer at heart! Come judgment day, what do you think God will say to this person for his or her sin?

The rest of the story

Now you can tell the story of Christ, his teachings and now forgiveness and cleansing makes sense. Jesus paid the penalty on the cross, he delivered us from the bonds of our sin. Rising from the dead so we would be free from the pains of eternal death. Now you can speak of repentance, of them turning from sin. Now we can speak of a changed life. Now we can speak of them trusting Christ for salvation. Now we can speak of forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Now we can speak of following Christ's ways.

Now it makes sense. Now they see reality as it really is. Speak of their sin before remedy, Show them their trespasses
before redemption. Need before solution, law before salvation!



(1) Matthew 19:16-22, Romans 5, Romans 7:7-12.
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 3:15
(3) James 1: 22-25
(4) Just because they understand will not mean they still will not have a hard heart and suppress the truth. However, now they have no excuse. It is not your job to bring them to repentance, it is the Spirit's. You are just the messenger who plants the seed or waters the sprout. 
(5) Romans 2:12-16

Image source: "TenCommandmentsAustinStateCapitol". Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Big Thoughts on Christianity

These "big thoughts on Christianity" have been rattling around in my head. These are areas in my life that I have been trying to work on. Hope you can also put these principles to use!

Focus on Scriptural Integrity.

1) Reading passages/verses in context reduces error and poor exegesis.
2) Coming to the Scriptures to understand a concept, not to prove a preconceived concept/practice.
3) Understand the difference between biblical descriptions and prescriptions, where it describes versus commands.
4) Proper definitions of 400 year words (if the KJV is used).
5) Use and understand the Bible in the way that it was intended.

Encourage Biblical Focus.

1) Have truth, mercy, forgiveness, justice and mercy, and obey the two greatest commands.
2) Receive other followers of Christ as brothers and sisters.
3) Visit the widows, orphans, and prisoners.
4) Tell others the way of Christ with our words and character.
5) Biblical commands take precedence over culture and opinions, nor should culture and opinions be elevated to the level of scripture in word, thought or action.

Culture of Inquiry.

1) Understand others more and vigilant to ask questions so I don’t misrepresent another.
2) Understand why, if possible, so I can give reasons for the faith of Christ.
3) Understand biblical reasons and commands and encourage others to use them for their arguments.
4) Understand and be confident in truth so I'm not immediately threatened by error and deception.
5) Understand discernment with wise and knowledgeable ethics built upon biblical morality.

Uniformity Versus Biblical Unity

Uniformity does not constitute unity. When Christian fellowship is dependent upon extra-biblical uniformity, the source of division does not lay at the feet of those who do not abide by these demands, but rather the demanders.

On the other hand, when scriptural directives are pronounced as unnecessary or even wrong, the transcendence of biblical directives are violated. A follower of biblical commands is not immorally factious to dissent to this view (1).

Once we clear the clutter and years of “Christian” prejudice we find the keys that drive unity. That is two simple but profound Christian ethos which are distilled from biblical precepts. The great ethos include becoming a follower of Christ, and learning and following his teachings.

Simplicity of theology and full measures of love and obedience will bring followers of Christ together who have diversity of gifts – there are many gifts but one Spirit. Christ, being perfect, is willing to make us, being imperfect, his brothers and sisters (2). We have no less of a calling. Rather than excluding other disciples of Christ, we are commanded to bring together Christ's bride (3).

(1) 1Co 6:9-11 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 

1Co 5:11  “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 

2 Jon 1:4-11  “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

(2) Rom 8:17  “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” 

Mat 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

(3) Php 4:21 “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.” 

1 Th 5:26 “Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.” 

Tit 3:15 “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” 

Joh 17:21 “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” 

Joh 13:34 & 35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Apostle John, A Bishop And A Renegade

One of my favorite stories is one recited by Clement of Alexandria. This narrative is rich in instruction, let me just focus your attention on some of this richness before you read it for yourself. 

• Children need instruction, not just examples.
• Mature believers need to disciple the younger.
• Just because one is a Christian does not mean there should not be accountability.
• We need to give our lives to save others.
• One does not just rely on the Holy Spirit for conviction, we need to show other's their sin and the forgiveness that is available. 
• There is forgiveness when one repents for sin.
• The Apostle John, the prodigal and the bishop all assumed that the defector of Christianity was headed for hell after turning from salvation.
• It was only John, however, who had the confidence that a repentant renegade could be forgiven by Christ.
• Lastly, I have to say it puts a human face on the Apostle John, even in his old age he had love, ambition and fortitude. O, did I mention he rode away on a horse? At least for me I always pictured the apostles as old men with long gowns walking by rivers and standing in temples....preaching....not riding horses!  

Apostle John, A Bishop And A Renegade

And that you may be still more confident, that repenting thus truly there remains for you a sure hope of salvation, listen to a tale, which is not a tale but a narrative, handed down and committed to the custody of memory, about the Apostle John. For when, on the tyrant's death, he returned to Ephesus from the isle of Patmos, he went away, being invited, to the contiguous territories of the nations, here to appoint bishops, there to set in order whole Churches, there to ordain such as were marked out by the Spirit.
Having come to one of the cities not far off (the name of which some give), and having put the brethren to rest in other matters, at last, looking to the bishop appointed, and seeing a youth, powerful in body, comely in appearance, and ardent, said, This (youth) I commit to you in all earnestness, in the presence of the Church, and with Christ as witness. And on his accepting and promising all, he gave the same injunction and testimony. And he set out for Ephesus. And the presbyter taking home the youth committed to him, reared, kept, cherished, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his stricter care and guardianship, under the idea that the seal of the Lord he had set on him was a complete protection to him. But on his obtaining premature freedom, some youths of his age, idle, dissolute, and adepts in evil courses, corrupt him. First they entice him by many costly entertainments; then afterwards by night issuing forth for highway robbery, they take him along with them. Then they dared to execute together something greater. And he by degrees got accustomed; and from greatness of nature, when he had gone aside from the right path, and like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, had taken the bit between his teeth, rushed with all the more force down into the depths. And having entirely despaired of salvation in God, he no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having perpetrated some great exploit, now that he was once lost, he made up his mind to a like fate with the rest. Taking them and forming a band of robbers, he was the prompt captain of the bandits, the fiercest, the bloodiest, the cruelest.

Time passed, and some necessity having emerged, they send again for John. He, when he had settled the other matters on account of which he came, said, Come now, O bishop, restore to us the deposit which I and the Saviour committed to you in the face of the Church over which you preside, as witness. The other was at first confounded, thinking that it was a false charge about money which he did not get; and he could neither believe the allegation regarding what he had not, nor disbelieve John. But when he said I demand the young man, and the soul of the brother, the old man, groaning deeply, and bursting into tears, said, He is dead. How and what kind of death? He is dead, he said, to God. For he turned wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber; and now he has taken possession of the mountain in front of the church, along with a band like him. Rending, therefore, his clothes, and striking his head with great lamentation, the apostle said, It was a fine guard of a brother's soul I left! But let a horse be brought me, and let some one be my guide on the way. He rode away, just as he was, straight from the church. On coming to the place, he is arrested by the robbers' outpost; neither fleeing nor entreating, but crying, It was for this I came. Lead me to your captain; who meanwhile was waiting, all armed as he was. But when he recognized John as he advanced, he turned, ashamed, to flight. The other followed with all his might, forgetting his age, crying, Why, my son, do you flee from me, your father, unarmed, old? Son, pity me. Fear not; you have still hope of life. I will give account to Christ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord did death for us. For you I will surrender my life. Stand, believe; Christ has sent me.

And he, when he heard, first stood, looking down; then threw down his arms, then trembled and wept bitterly. And on the old man approaching, he embraced him, speaking for himself with lamentations as he could, and baptized a second time with tears, concealing only his right hand. The other pledging, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness for himself from the Saviour, beseeching and falling on his knees, and kissing his right hand itself, as now purified by repentance, led him back to the church. Then by supplicating with copious prayers, and striving along with him in continual fastings, and subduing his mind by various utterances of words, did not depart, as they say, till he restored him to the Church, presenting in him a great example of true repentance and a great token of regeneration, a trophy of the resurrection for which we hope; when at the end of the world, the angels, radiant with joy, hymning and opening the heavens, shall receive into the celestial abodes those who truly repent; and before all, the Saviour Himself goes to meet them, welcoming them; holding forth the shadowless, ceaseless light; conducting them, to the Father's bosom, to eternal life, to the kingdom of heaven.

Let one believe these things, and the disciples of God, and God, who is surety, the Prophecies, the Gospels, the Apostolic words; living in accordance with them, and lending his ears, and practicing the deeds, he shall at his decease see the end and demonstration of the truths taught. For he who in this world welcomes the angel of penitence will not repent at the time that he leaves the body, nor be ashamed when he sees the Saviour approaching in His glory and with His army. He fears not the fire.
But if one chooses to continue and to sin perpetually in pleasures, and values indulgence here above eternal life, and turns away from the Saviour, who gives forgiveness; let him no more blame either God, or riches, or his having fallen, but his own soul, which voluntarily perishes. But to him who directs his eye to salvation and desires it, and asks with boldness and vehemence for its bestowal, the good Father who is in heaven will give the true purification and the changeless life. To whom, by His Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and dead, and by the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, power, eternal majesty, both now and ever, from generation to generation, and from eternity to eternity. Amen.

This text was taken from the following site: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0207.htm. Anyone can can find a copy of this story from any set of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2.