The Early Church Defends the Faith

The second and third century church was subjected to all sorts of sordid rumors and outrageous misconceptions. Apologists (defenders of the faith) such as Quadratus, Aristides, Theophilus, Minucius Felix, Tertullian, Origen and especially Justin refuted these false accusations and “provided an answer to every man” (1 Peter 3:15).

For instance, they stated that the accusation that their worship was orgiastic and incestuous was ludicrous because their conduct required that even evil thoughts must be cast aside. Additionally, how can anyone believe the ridiculous accusation that they ate their children when they rejected every form of bloodshed? It was the pagans who left unwanted infants exposed to the elements to die of cold and hunger and it was the Christians who rescued them by night!

Tertullian’s apologetic insisted on a radical opposition between Christian faith and pagan beliefs. Tertullian summed up his position with the phrase, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem.”

A modern example would be Dr. Henry Morris who steadfastly adhered to a recent, literal six day creation and a worldwide flood despite life-long opposition and ridicule. His writings have influenced the Calvary Chapel movement.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

In the early third century Christians rose up in response to Gnostic heresy by clarifying their convictions in the Apostles’ Creed. It has remained the most influential creed in church history:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Note: The word "catholic" with a lower case 'c' does not mean the Roman Catholic Church, but the universal Christian Church as a whole. The term “descent into hell” has long been the subject of disagreement between Christians. Clearly, the heretical interpretation of the Word Faith teachers (Kenneth Copeland in particular) claim that it was Jesus' descent to hell and not his death on the cross that redeemed sinners is unacceptable.