In these firsthand accounts of the early church, the spirit of Pentecost burns with prophetic force through the fog enveloping the modern church. A clear and vibrant faith lives on in these writings, providing a guide for Christians today. Its stark simplicity and revolutionary fervor will stun those lulled by conventional Christianity. The Early Christians is a topically arranged collection of primary sources. It includes extra-biblical sayings of Jesus and excerpts from Origen, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement of Alexandria, Justin, Irenaeus, Hermas, Ignatius, and others. Equally revealing material from pagan contemporaries critics, detractors, and persecutors is included as well." Part I : The witness of the early church—Eberhard Arnold—Part II : The state, society and martyrs—Pliny—Polycarp—Justin—Letter from Vienne and Lyons—Acts of martyrs—Early apologies—Part III : Self-portraits and portrayals—Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, First apology—Aristides, Apology—Origin, Against Celsus—Hippolytus, The apostolic tradition—Letter to Diognetus—Tertullian, Apology—Part IV : Creed, confession and Scripture—Apostolic confession—Rule of faith—Irenaeus, Against Heresies—Athenagoras, A Plea Regarding Christians—Late Athenagoras, On the Resurrection of the Dead—Justin, First apology, Dialogue with Trypho—Muratorian canon—Part V : Sayings of Jesus and the apostles—Extra-Biblical sayings of Jesus—The Didache—First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians—Ignatius, Letters to the Ephesians, Romans, Smyrnaeans, and Polycarp—Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians—Letter of Barnabas—Part VI : Meetings, worship and church practices—Baptism—The Lord's Supper or love meal—Distribution of goods—Leadership and gifts—Prayers and hymns—Part VII : Proclamation and the prophetic spirit—Acts of Andrew—Justin, Dialogue with Trypho—Second Letter of Clement—The Shepherd of Hermas—Sibylline Oracles—Montanus