Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence the Appendix by reading 'Acts and records of the famous controversy about the baptism of heretics' and the 'Anonymous treatise against the heretic Novatian'.
My summary
The first reading today is nothing but a reference guide for decisions about the baptism of heretics.
The second reading is an anonymous treatise that was written against Novatian for his denial of pardon to the lapsed. The treatise argues from both the Old and New Testaments that there is mercy for the penitent.
What grabbed me
I liked the author's use of texts that speak of God's mercy: 'Thus we have heard that the Lord is of great compassion. Let us hear what the Holy Spirit testifies by David: "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my commandments; if they should profane my righteousness, and should not keep my precepts; I will visit their crimes with a rod, and their sins with stripes. But my mercy will I not utterly disperse from them." Words like to these we read that the Lord said also by Ezekiel: "Son of man, the house of Israel has dwelt on its own land, and they have defiled it by their crimes: their uncleanness has become like that of a menstruous woman before my face. I have poured out my anger upon them, and I have scattered them among the nations; and I have judged them according to their sins, because they have defiled my holy name; and because it was said of them, "This is the people of the Lord, I have spared them, because of my holy name, which the house of Israel despised among the nations." And in conjunction with this he says, "Therefore say to the people of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, I spare you not, O house of Israel; but I will spare you on account of my holy name, which ye have defiled among they nations: and ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall be sanctified in you." Also the Lord to the same: "Son of man, say unto the people of Israel, Wherefore have ye spoken, saying, We are pining away in our sins, and how shall we be able to be saved? Say unto them, I live, saith the Lord: for I do not desire the death of the sinner; but I desire that the sinner should turn from his evil way, and live: therefore return ye from your evil way: why do ye give yourselves over to death, O house of Israel?" So, too, by Isaiah the prophet: "I will not be angry with you for ever, nor will I abstain from defending you always." And because Jeremiah the prophet, in the person of the sinful people, prays to the Lord, saying, "Amend us, O Lord, but in judgment, and not in anger, lest Thou make us few;" Isaiah also added, and said, "For his sin I have slightly afflicted him; and I have stricken him, and have turned away my face from him: and he was afflicted, and went away sadly in his ways." And because he labours, he added and said, "I have seen his ways, and I have healed him; and I have given him a true exhortation, peace upon peace;" that to those who repent, and pray, and labour, restoration is possible, because they would miserably perish, and because they would decline from Christ.'
Thankfully, the Lord is merciful and gracious.
Next week's reading
Conclude the Appendix by reading 'A treatise on re-baptism by an anonymous writer'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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