Re: The Early Christians: Creed, Confession and Scripture

Bruderhof Communities wrote:

> What did the first Christians believe? Despite the diversity that
> marked the early church, and despite the lack (at that time) of a New
> Testament canon, there emerged a basic common confession of faith in
> "one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
> God and Father of all..." (Eph. 4:4-6). In our day, formalized
> expressions of religion are often looked at askance. To early
> believers, however, the "rule of faith" was regarded as a yardstick by
> which to measure and shape all thinking and conduct. Embraced by
> recent converts, it bespoke apostolic authority and thus illuminated
> their search to understand - and promulgate - the new faith.

The intention of the Creator in creating humans was to make intelligent 
beings who should look upon the works of God and serve their creator.

Since this destiny will never come to an end, the human race will never 
come to an end either. Body and soul together make up the human, for the 
soul without the body is not a person.

Athenagoras, On the Resurrection of the Dead 12-15 (summary).