Apostolic Fathers

This video looks at the Apostolic Fathers in the earliest centuries of the Christian Church.

My books (affiliate links):

[Thorns]

As an Orthodox Christian, I feel kinship and continuity with the early Church. I know some Orthodox who were Baptized triple immersion, some with water poured on the head three times. We still fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. The language of the Eucharist is still basically the same. The Orthodox never doubt or feel the need to search for this connection, we take it for granted. If you profess your belief in Christ, you also have faith that He preserved His Church, with no breaks, down to this day.

[seekrighteousness]

I like how they prayed they did not bow their heads. They looked toward Heaven, hands held up in the air palms up just waiting to recieve the love and blessings of the Holy Spirit and it was more festive less solemn.

[reformedcatholic]

I love your work Ryan. I think it is important to know church history. Apostolic Fathers and the Protestant Reformation are my favourite subjects. God bless you brother!

[johnmonk]

I didn't see any comments on this so I'll quickly point it out. If someone else said it then forgive me. 18:20 you incorrectly said 'love your neighbor' is the greatest commandment. Jesus said "Love the Lord your God with your all" is the greatest.

[RyanGalazka]

I am an orthodox christian, thank you for this video. I appreciate it.

[prisavelin]

I LOVE the visual graphics in your videos, Ryan. They, along with the audio lectures, really enhance the education experience for me. Thanks!

[dallasmcquarrie]

Reeves always does an excellent job. These videos are a real treat!

[armymobilityofficer]

How can one document put the form of baptism to rest?  If anything the didache shows a preference for immersion.  If the didache is authority for alternative forms of baptism, then is fasting required of the modern church? Or repetitious prayers?  If the didache is viewed as not being divinely inspired, then at best it is one record of early church history.  If tradition conflicts or varies from clear teachings in the Bible, we should follow the Bible.

i have to admit. the early christian writers and the early Fathers and the early witnesses to church culture resembled Catholocism, not protestantism or Pentocostalism or Saddleback, or 7th day, or Atheism.

[donnasmith]

brother reeves, i do appreciate your videos and have been using them to inform those in Bible study of early church history. i am puzzeled that there is no mention of IRENAUS. was he not an early church father and apologist??

[garyschwitz]

Another fantastic video and I am making it my hobby to watch 5-8 per day. They are ALL great summaries and I want to thank you for your work.

[Smartsoapsuds]

thank you very much for taking the time to do these videos I wish that one day I would have the chance to study under someone who makes things comprehensive but also without diminishing the history or integrity of belief
ευλογίες κυρίου μαζί σάς

[jenna]

Thanks for this one, Prof. Reeves. It is simply amazing to me how the early church transitioned so easily away from Paul Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:  Clearly, Paul's discipleship with Yahshua didn't separate him from the Torah. In their efforts to pry themselves away from the also off-track Talmud and Mishna, the so-called oral traditions, they also distanced themselves away from the only authentic authority--the Torah, Navi'im, and the Ketuvahim. That they were all exercised as to how to do this, how to do that, only is a testament to how off-base they were once they ignored those. (And now today, we have pastors all over the place still marginalizing Scripture, well, except for that whole tithe thing--keep those shekels coming!) 

[tolar]

That was brilliant. Thanks for that, Professor Reeves, and for all your other vids on Church History, too!. God bless.

[yasmimminsay]

marvelous playlist - love your channel - God bless your life dear.

[philipbuckley]

I always thought something was missing, and this seems to be it...the history, of the Church to see what is Biblical and what is tradition...

[MrHeat]

1st centery B.C.?
wpuld it not be 1st centery A.D. ?

[nickymaz]

Dr. Reeves, truly outstanding lectures, thank you so much for making these videos!

[richardmcpeake]

is it possible to get this lecture in PRINT? WHERE? HOW? A great definition in understanding daily language. Great information and lecture!

one of the points here, is that whoever he was, he lived in the first century. And believed in jesus the ressurection and carried on the beliefs that Paul believed. Bart Ehrman and other christianity debunkers don't mention Origen, Irenaeus, Clement and Tychicus and Tatian.