This article is part of a series on Old Testament Christophanies. For important background information, see An Introduction to Old Testament Christophanies–with Justin Martyr. The fourth man appearing in the furnace in Daniel 3 is thought to be the Son of God by many Christians, even by those reading the chapter for the first time. The “man” […]
In the Burning Bush: Jesus in Exodus 3
December 31, 2019 by 7 Comments
This article is part of a series on Old Testament Christophanies. For important background information, see An Introduction to Old Testament Christophanies–with Justin Martyr. By the time Moses had fled from Egypt to settle in Midian, it had been over four centuries since the Lord had last appeared to anyone. The wait ended in Exodus 3, […]
The Premillennialism of Polycarp
March 1, 2015 by 9 Comments
Polycarp lived from about A.D. 65 to 155, and finds himself among the greatest Christians the world has ever witnessed. He was a friend of and fellow pupil alongside Ignatius under the apostle John. Archbishop James Ussher identified Polycarp as the angel of the church in Smyrna,[1] spoken of by Jesus Himself in Revelation 2:8.[2] […]
The Premillennialism of Papias
December 5, 2014 by 3 Comments
Alongside Polycarp, Papias was a student of the apostle John. He was the bishop of Hierpolis in Phrygia and was martyred in 163 AD (around the same time that Polycarp was martyred). In addition to enjoying friendship with the apostle John, Papias intimately knew several others who had been alive to interact with Jesus and […]
The Premillennialism of Irenaeus
November 19, 2014 by 2 Comments
Irenaeus lived from A.D. 120 to 202, and he served as the bishop of the church in what is now Lyon France. He was a pupil of the bishop of Smyrna and martyr Polycarp[1], himself a student of the apostle John. Irenaeus being only one teacher removed from the disciple whom Jesus loved (e.g. John […]
Papias Said Judas Was an Amillennialist
April 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Ante-Nicene Church Father Irenaeus taught extensively on Chiliasm (the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus upon the Earth beginning after His Second Coming) in his fifth book of Against Heresies. In chapter thirty-three, Irenaeus provides further proofs that mandate a Chiliastic or Premillennial realization of the Kingdom. This includes the blessing made from Isaac to Jacob: […]
The Gospel of Matthew Was First Written in Hebrew
January 4, 2014 by 24 Comments
Though no copies are extant, there is good historical evidence that Matthew’s Gospel was first written in Hebrew. Around 130 A.D., Church father Papias (a former student of the Apostle John) explained: So then Matthew wrote the oracles in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able. (Recorded by Eusebius in Church […]
Irenaeus Did Not Teach that Jesus Lived into His Fifties Before Being Crucified
May 16, 2013 by 10 Comments
Several ante-Nicene Church Fathers confirm that Revelation was written toward the end of Domitian’s reign. This places the date of Revelation’s composition at approximately 95 or 96 A.D. Irenaeus’ teaching on this represents the earliest extant quote on the matter. Because the partial and full preterists scheme falls apart if Revelation was written after 70 […]
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