Category Archives: Early Christianity

The Day of Atonement and the Goat for Azazel

Posted on 08/23/2024 by Paul Pavao

I looked up the Kyle-Delitzsch commentary on Lev. 16:8, where a lot is cast for two goats on the day of atonement, one for Yahweh and one for Azazel. Kyle-Delitzsh is, or at least used to be, a prince among … Continue reading →

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Jesus Triumphantly Rescued Us! Atonement by Ransom

Posted on 04/30/2024 by Paul Pavao

From a comment I put on Facebook: It was not until yesterday that I realized the full import of Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14. Both are saying we have been released because we were ransomed by his blood (Gr. apolutrosis), … Continue reading →

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Today’s Hodge-Podge: Messengers, Large Church Meetings, Archippus, and Apostolic Succession

Posted on 03/22/2024 by Paul Pavao

For those interested, I wrote this in an email in response to questions concerning Colossians 4:14, 16-17: For at least 150 years, perhaps longer, it was perfectly okay that the Sunday morning meetings grew large enough to need big meeting … Continue reading →

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Divorce and Remarriage: Taking a Stance Against the Anabaptists

Posted on 06/18/2021 by Paul Pavao

DISCLAIMER: A commenter accurately pointed out that this is too broad a sweep. It may be too harsh, too, but not for the people I am speaking of. My experience with the anti-remarriage crowd may only be the most outspoken … Continue reading →

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The Twelve Apostles and “Apostolic Men”

Posted on 03/27/2021 by Paul Pavao

I wrote this in an answer on Quora, but I think most of my friends would enjoy knowing the following: (The question was whether Barnabas, companion of Paul, was one of the 12 apostles.) Paul himself was not one of … Continue reading →

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The “Broader Framework” of Salvation at the Heart of the Apostle Paul’s Teaching

Posted on 02/13/2021 by Paul Pavao

Today I wrote on Facebook that I would pay my entire retirement account if by doing so I could magically impart an understanding of the preface of Matthew J. Thomas’ new edition of Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the … Continue reading →

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When Christians Conquered an Empire (in current English)

Posted on 01/26/2021 by Paul Pavao

Tertullian’s Christians Conquer Empire reworded This is a rewording of yesterday’s blog. “To the Rulers of the Roman Empire: “… If we are commanded to love our enemies, as I have pointed out earlier, whom do we Christians have to … Continue reading →

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When Christians Conquered a Nation

Posted on 01/25/2021 by Paul Pavao

This was written very close to the year 200, to the Roman emperors, who almost certainly never read it, but the words have been preserved. This is what conquest of an empire by real Christians looks like: This is long, … Continue reading →

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How the Church Was One: The Only True Source of Unity

Posted on 11/11/2020 by Paul Pavao

The early churches were united as God’s family. Jesus was Lord and the Father was, well, the Father of the family. The one thing to do in that family was to love and obey the Father through the Lordship of … Continue reading →

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The Judgment by Works: The Most Important Doctrine to Learn from the Early Church Fathers

Posted on 11/02/2020 by Paul Pavao

I wrote the following in a comment on Patristics for Protestants about what is the most important thing to learn from the early church fathers. There are several quotes from the earliest fathers in my comment, but I give you … Continue reading →

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